Filtering advise - Small Filter Press or Vacuum Filter?

[Willen]

I generally reheat, cone filter with liners and bottle in 5 gallon/20L batches, and repeat that 10 times a season (maybe more this year the way things are going). Package in glass, so clarity is important.

I am sick of the mess, and bottleneck the gravity filtering though the cones causes. I was pretty set on a 5” Maple Guys filter press, and then saw 4Walls vacuum filter on here. I can convert my CDL cone filter/filler to a Vacuum filter pretty easily.

For 50-100 gallons per year, what do you think is the right choice? Any difference in clarity (DE in the press vs just filtering in the vacuum filter?)

Thanks for your input.

[DRoseum]

Vac filters are nice, but go with the press. I think you will be very happy with the simplicity and clarity. I'd recommend the stainless smoky lake presses. Hand pump or air operated.

https://www.smokylakemaple.com/produ.../filter-press/

I've used both, and prefer the press.

[maple flats]

I'd go with a small filter press, even a hand pump version. If you decide later you want a pump version, just add a diaphragm pump rated for over 200F, that can be added later.

[SeanD]

I'd also go with the small press. I'm a big fan of getting more bang for your buck and the press gives you extra options. You can pack into bulk more easily and run the sweet in your pans through it. If possible, shoot for the diaphragm pump. Then you can be cleaning up for the night while the press is doing the filtering.

[wvfdc4]

I have one of the 9" CDL vacuum presses and bottle in similar size batches to you (though not as many in a season...yet) and I am planning on upgrading to a filter press, the filter is really one of my biggest bottlenecks. It does a great job but is not near as user friendly or flexible as a filter press.

[heus]

Speaking from experience ( I have had a full bank 7" filter press, 2 short banks, 12" cdl vac filter, and 18" cdl vac filter) go with the filter press. While the clarity in the vacuum filters was good, they are still way too slow compared to a filter press.

[RC Maple]

I looked at the vacuum filters online a year ago but decided to wait on a filter press for some day in the future. My first couple batches this year were way too slow on my flat filter setup. I finally had enough watching syrup sit on top of filters and washing syrup down the drain when rinsing them. Good to read all the comments on this thread in favor of a press. My Smokey Lake press was delivered today.

[Pdiamond]

You will definitely like using it.

[Swingpure]

Vac filters are nice, but go with the press. I think you will be very happy with the simplicity and clarity. I'd recommend the stainless smoky lake presses. Hand pump or air operated.

https://www.smokylakemaple.com/produ.../filter-press/

I've used both, and prefer the press.

Is there a volume threshold where the vacuum filter might be the better choice? As an example if you were only filtering 1-4 gallons of syrup at a time.

[DRoseum]

Idk. I average between 1 to 2 gallons per night and still love using the press.... Even if I got less than 1 gallon.