+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Ideas for recovering from DE screwup?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Speyside, Ontario
    Posts
    270

    Default Ideas for recovering from DE screwup?

    So in a quest to get clearer finished syrup, last year I tried using DE (Diatomaceous Earth) in my vacuum filter. I foolishly tried it on my big (for me) last batch of syrup. It has resulted in extremely cloudy syrup. The DE is just floating in the syrup.

    I tried using a 1 micron filter in the vacuum filter (regular says 5 micron) but the syrup went right thought the filters without even having to turn on the vacuum.

    Any ideas for resolving this besides throwing everything out?

    This is exactly the stuff I bought:
    https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00KPXGNTO
    I just read the label today and, surprisingly, people eat this stuff? So I guess I could still use the syrup? It has a slight "minty" smell to me.

    On another note, I did leave a small bottle in the fridge for 10 months and it has settled out. The remaining 20L that I stored in the freezer did NOT settle out. Maybe the colder syrup is too thick to allow it to settle? I used a couple larger clear wine bottles in the fridge to see how long it would take to settle, and after a couple of months, I didn't see a change.

    I was even thinking of building some type of larger home built centrifuge to try and get the stuff to settle.
    2015 - 8 buckets, 332L sap, 8.5L syrup - Barrel evaporator, 2 steam pans
    2016 - 8 buckets, 432L sap
    2017 - 10 bags, 470L sap, 9L syrup
    2018 - 20 bags, 1050L sap, 17.6L syrup
    2019 - 20 bags, 970L sap, 22.2L syrup
    2020 - 17 bags, 813L sap, 17L syrup

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Northwest PA
    Posts
    684

    Default

    Might want to try DE purchased from a maple equipment dealer. If my memory serves me right there are different size particles of DE that might be why it is passing through the filter.
    12 x 16 Sugarhouse, 12 x 16 Woodshed
    2 x 8 “The Mutt” Evaporator with Marcland Drawoff
    Leader oil fired arch, Dallaire raised flue, Smoky Lake syrup pan and hoods with pre-heater
    New Leader Clear Filter Press/Air Diaphragm Pump
    5” Hand Pump Filter Press from Daryl-One of the first three! On loan to a friend.
    Deer Run 250 gal/hr RO
    A Very Understanding Wife
    "At any time during the day you're only 10 seconds from disaster!"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Garrettsville,Ohio
    Posts
    621

    Default

    I agree with the de. Also use filters made for syrup, there is a difference
    Fred Ahrens
    330-206-1606
    Richards Ohio Maple Equipment
    Ohio CDL sales rep
    LaPierre Dealer
    H&M maple fabricator Dealer
    Service Tech/repair for all brands and electronics

    don't take life too serious, nobody gets out alive anyways!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Posts
    497

    Default

    Maybe you can find someone with a filter press who will allow you to run your syrup through to remove the DE.
    Gary
    16' X 24' Sugarhouse
    2' X 6' Leader Inferno Arch with Revolution Raised-Flue Pans, Smoky Lake preheater and hood
    Deer Run Maple gas-powered 250 RO
    WesFab 7" filter press
    Kubota 1100 RTV with tracks and 125 gallon tank for transporting sap
    800 taps on gravity and vacuum
    Very supportive wife who is the best coworker
    http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...ing-Sugarhouse

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Lake County Ohio
    Posts
    1,628

    Default

    C0666082-5921-45E8-98CC-7C07A7BF8523.jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by fred View Post
    I agree with the de. Also use filters made for syrup, there is a difference
    I think you may have over-paid for that DE and it looks way too course to work in a filter press.

    I purchase mine for about $1.10 per lb. Looks like the Amazon “stuff” is $91 for 5 lbs.

    DE for Maple is extremely fine - think talcum powder- plugs up the paper filter, and builds up a cake.
    Yours looks way too course to do that. The pic attached will give you an idea of what it should look like.

    Fred knows what he’s talking about...Even if he can’t see how superior a Clear Press is
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by johnallin; 04-04-2021 at 07:14 PM. Reason: Better picture
    John Allin

    14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
    Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
    Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
    Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
    CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
    06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
    14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
    Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
    7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Speyside, Ontario
    Posts
    270

    Default

    It was $27 when I bought it.

    So what happens to the syrup before the cake gets built up? Does the DE pass though?
    2015 - 8 buckets, 332L sap, 8.5L syrup - Barrel evaporator, 2 steam pans
    2016 - 8 buckets, 432L sap
    2017 - 10 bags, 470L sap, 9L syrup
    2018 - 20 bags, 1050L sap, 17.6L syrup
    2019 - 20 bags, 970L sap, 22.2L syrup
    2020 - 17 bags, 813L sap, 17L syrup

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Lake County Ohio
    Posts
    1,628

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wobbletop View Post
    It was $27 when I bought it.

    So what happens to the syrup before the cake gets built up? Does the DE pass though?
    DE is mixed into the syrup, which is then run through the press but discharged Back into the mixing tank until the syrup is crystal clear.
    I'm not sure if any DE gets through the paper or not until the cake is formed but some of the "nano" sized pieces may.
    DE is skeletal remains - really small with really jagged edges.
    When it hits the paper a log jamb forms, eventually building up in thickness to form a cake with extremely small passageways.
    Due to the really small size and rough edges - anything that can't get through gets snagged.
    John Allin

    14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
    Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
    Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
    Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
    CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
    06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
    14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
    Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
    7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
    Posts
    6,391

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MISugarDaddy View Post
    Maybe you can find someone with a filter press who will allow you to run your syrup through to remove the DE.
    This is probably the best option.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Speyside, Ontario
    Posts
    270

    Default

    Unfortunately it's unlikely I would find someone who would want to filter my syrup.

    From the few responses, it almost sounds like I should add more DE to the syrup and try to cycle it through the vacuum filter as many times as possible. That is, there was not enough DE to form a cake to produce a filter. It would depend on whether I could produce enough vacuum to pull it through the the cake.
    2015 - 8 buckets, 332L sap, 8.5L syrup - Barrel evaporator, 2 steam pans
    2016 - 8 buckets, 432L sap
    2017 - 10 bags, 470L sap, 9L syrup
    2018 - 20 bags, 1050L sap, 17.6L syrup
    2019 - 20 bags, 970L sap, 22.2L syrup
    2020 - 17 bags, 813L sap, 17L syrup

+ 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