+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Cleaning filter plates

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    North Grenville, Ontario
    Posts
    976

    Default Cleaning filter plates

    I just picked up an older wesfab 7” filter press
    Press has been sitting for 2 years without being used.
    Everything is perfect except for the aluminum plates have a bit of oxidization on them.
    I was thinking of just bringing a pot of vinegar up to a boil and dipping the plates in the vinegar to clean off the oxidization.
    Anyone ever done this. ?
    I know there’s a ton of ways to restore cast aluminum but they all involve chemicals that are obviously not ok for anything food related.
    600 taps on vacuum
    Lapierre mechanical Releaser
    CDL electric releaser
    2.5 x 10 CDL Venturi ( new for the 2024 season )
    Home made modulating auto draw off
    Homemade RO 2 x 4" membranes
    CDL 16 x 16 bottler
    Wesfab 7" filter press
    Delaval 73 vacuum pumps

    12 hives of bees

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Central new york
    Posts
    410

    Default

    I would try some warm water with a new stainless brush and lots of baking soda
    A&A 2x8 raised flue with hoods and preheater, converted to oil with carlin 201 for 2021
    8x12 kitchen
    8x12 canning room
    H20 7.5 1200 Econox for 2018 added 2nd membrane for 2020
    H2O 10" filter press half bank
    H2O 2430 gallon storage tank
    700+ 5/16 on vacuum, 1000+ on 3/16

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Rock Creek, NC
    Posts
    5,807

    Default

    The acid in the vinegar will make the plates oxidize more so don't do that. I use Scotch Brite pads and hot water to clean mine and it makes them look like new.
    Russ

    "Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!

    1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
    A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
    Four chainsaws and no chickens!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    North Grenville, Ontario
    Posts
    976

    Default

    I’ll try the scotch bright and a little elbow grease option.
    600 taps on vacuum
    Lapierre mechanical Releaser
    CDL electric releaser
    2.5 x 10 CDL Venturi ( new for the 2024 season )
    Home made modulating auto draw off
    Homemade RO 2 x 4" membranes
    CDL 16 x 16 bottler
    Wesfab 7" filter press
    Delaval 73 vacuum pumps

    12 hives of bees

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    North Grenville, Ontario
    Posts
    976

    Default

    Kinda off topic of my original question but it’s stiil a filter press question
    My press is a 7” full stack. Fairly oversized for the 15-20 gallons the press would be seeing per day. But I figured it’s better to go bigger then too small and regret it.
    If I shortened the stack and put spacers on the bolts what would be a proper amount of plates. 3?
    Last edited by Bricklayer; 05-21-2019 at 07:40 PM.
    600 taps on vacuum
    Lapierre mechanical Releaser
    CDL electric releaser
    2.5 x 10 CDL Venturi ( new for the 2024 season )
    Home made modulating auto draw off
    Homemade RO 2 x 4" membranes
    CDL 16 x 16 bottler
    Wesfab 7" filter press
    Delaval 73 vacuum pumps

    12 hives of bees

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    River Falls, WI
    Posts
    831

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bricklayer View Post
    Kinda off topic of my original question but it’s stiil a filter press question
    My press is a 7” full stack. Fairly oversized for the 15-20 gallons the press would be seeing per day. But I figured it’s better to go bigger then too small and regret it.
    If I shortened the stack and put spacers on the bolts what would be a proper amount of plates. 3?
    It'll depend greatly on the syrup. At the beginning of the season I hear people say 50 gallons through a 7" full bank is easy, so yeah, 3 should do the job for 15-20 gallons. At the end of the season it'll be more. Another option is to use more plates, all of them even, and not take it apart every day. I wouldn't want to leave syrup in there for more than a day or two, but if you know you'll be cooking again the next day, it'd be an option. You can also flush with hot sap or water if you're using this method, but be careful to avoid freezing it if it's full of anything other than syrup.
    -Ryan


    Went off the deep end. Might be in over my head...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    UP MI
    Posts
    216

    Default

    Just get some stainless bolts.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Rock Creek, NC
    Posts
    5,807

    Default

    Clean the threads with a wire brush and use mineral oil to keep them from rusting again.
    Russ

    "Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!

    1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
    A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
    Four chainsaws and no chickens!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Chatham NH
    Posts
    1,318

    Default

    You could spray it down with food grade silicon. That should keep it from rusting.
    Nate Hutchins
    Nate & Kate's Maple
    2022 1000 taps?
    3x10 Intensofire
    20x36 sugarhouse
    CDL 600gph RO
    A wife and 2 kids.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    North Grenville, Ontario
    Posts
    976

    Default

    I’m gonna get the bottom frame and the wing nuts powder coated. Plate bolts I’m just going to use pure mineral oil on.
    Thanks for the ideas.
    600 taps on vacuum
    Lapierre mechanical Releaser
    CDL electric releaser
    2.5 x 10 CDL Venturi ( new for the 2024 season )
    Home made modulating auto draw off
    Homemade RO 2 x 4" membranes
    CDL 16 x 16 bottler
    Wesfab 7" filter press
    Delaval 73 vacuum pumps

    12 hives of bees

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts