If the Orlon filters leave your syrup cloudy you might have damaged the fibers by wringing it when you clean it. They should never be wrung dry. To use them, you want a few pre-filters on top, I used to use 5, then the Orlon holding them. As a pre-filter gets clogged up, carefully lift it out, while dumping the remaining syrup into the next layer. When it no longer dumps easily, I used to have hanger wire from above that I wrapped each around the wire then clipped it to hold and allow it to drain fully into the rest. Repeat as necessary. One method that some use is to mix in some maple grade DE then filter. The DE gets caught in the filter and is actually a perfect filter medium. To start, I suggest you get a new Orlon. Used properly an Orlon filter should produce perfectly filtered syrup. To save any remaining syrup left in an Orlon filter just hang it and let it drip dry.
However, if you want to get a filter press, for 30-40 gal a year a hand pump model will do well. It will also use DE (Diatomacious Earth).
Last edited by maple flats; 04-01-2020 at 08:52 AM.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.