Heus, I have used both. Before I got hurt and disabled 10 years ago, we tapped around 16,000 and had a 10” filter press. 6 years ago, after moving to a 15 acres property, I started sugaring as a hobby going back to the basics. Wood fired 20”x66” evaporator without a hood or pre heater, no RO, and a come filter. I used the cone filter for a couple years and was not thrilled with it. I built a new sugar house and bought a nice used 2’x8’ Algier evaporator and was up to 235 taps. I then moved up to a flat filter which wasn’t bad but at times I couldn’t get it all threw before I had more Syrup. I used filter aid to make it work better. In the spring of 2018, I purchased a 12” CDL vacuum filter on their early order program. Not knowing what would be the best vacuum source, I bought a new shop vacuum from Home Depot that is small to midsize. I think a little more vacuum would be better but not necessary. I use filter aid. It works great. The Syrup comes out sparkling clean and it is easy to use. I found that it works best if after each time running a batch through, unsnap the metal ring, pop off the top pre filter, dump off the filter aid cake, put the filter back in and go. The filters themselves hardly get dirty. When I first started using it, I tried putting Syrup through without dumping the filter cake and it was hard to get the second and third batches through. Once I learned to change each time, they go through fast. I love this filter. Any questions ask or PM me. It is much easier to use for my size operation than having a press in my opinion having used both.
Sugaring for 45+ years
New Sugarhouse 14'x32'
New to Me Algier 2'x8' wood fired evaporator
2022 added a used RB25 RO Bucket
250 mostly Sugar Maples, 15% Soft Maples. Currently,(110on 3/16" and 125 on Shurflo 4008 vacuum, 15 gravity), (16,000 before being disabled)
1947 Farmall H and Wagon with gathering tank
2012 Kubota with forks to move wood around