Clogged pre-filter on a CDL vacuum filter

[eustis22]

Thank you...I am getting some Dicalite from a CDL dealer in Wilton, Maine this week and will try the salvaging Sunday evening

[wobbletop]

^^^ Please let us know how it works out. I still have a bunch of syrup in the freezer from last year with food grade DE.

[In da bush]

FWIW,
I have a 9” CDL and can usually get almost a gallon through before it just STOPS. Looking at the hose from the shop vac I noticed the end you attach to the vacuum port isn’t airtight,at all. I’m gonna tinker around with trying to get a PVC pipe plumbed into the system for better vacuum performance.

[spike in wi]

We've had our 9" CDL for three years now. First year we thought we made a bad investment also. We now filter hot 200 degree + syrup through with 1 orlon filter and 1 pre filter placed loosely on top of the orlon filter. Pour in about one gallon of syrup and hit the vac for about 30 seconds to a minute. Use a set of tongs to fish out the pre filter and hit the vac again for another 30 to 60 seconds and bottle what you have. Pour out what's left and do it again. Filter aid made all the difference for us. Use at least 1 to 2 cup per gallon of hot syrup. Loose connections will kill the vacuum process!! We get about 6 pints for every filter change. Doesn't seem like much but we filtered 39 gallons through this season. We do have about 20 some orlon filters and pre filters.

[eustis22]

can anyone post a pic of their vacuum connection to their filter? I have an adapter but I dunno if it's tight enough

[Johnmn]

I use a PVC fitting to go from 3/4 npt to 1 1/2 PVC and then a fernco from that to my shop vac. Yes I have to tighten a hose clamp but it's an air tight seal in the end.

[eustis22]

now if somneone can hep me get DE out of doubly-DE'd syrup without the vacuum filter I'd be forever grateful.

[wobbletop]

I guess the different kind of DE didn't help?

Store it and find someone with a filter press to borrow after their season is over? Good luck!