Flat vs Cone Filters

[nymapleguy607]

I am curious to see how many of you use flat or cone filters and why you like one ovr the other. I ask because I am thinking of having a pan made that I can dump hot syrup off the evaporator to filter and later bottle it without switching containers. I have used the cone filters the last few years and filtered straight off the evaporator but it is hard to work around the stand for the cone filters and I then have to transfer that to a smaller pan I have to reheat and bottle. Just trying to find a better way without breaking the bank on a filter press. Thanks Jeff

[Fred Henderson]

I prefer the cone style even if they do have a smaller filter area.

[3% Solution]

nymapleguy,
We changed from the cone to the flat two years ago.
We also use filter aide with the flats.
We think it's the best thing since sliced bread.
Now, keep in mind it's all about what works for you.
As Fred said, he likes the cones.
Just my pennies worth!

Dave

[Fred Henderson]

I have the flats for my canner and perhaps I did not mix the filter aid correctly. But now I cone filter right off the evap and then into the canner thru just one paper pre filter. Doing one pre on the canner insures that nothing gets in there that isn't supposed to be there. My wife is always in the SH when I am boiling and she takes care of changing and risineing the cones. This leaves me more time for visiting with whom ever stops by. I have a gas fire hot water heater plus what comes off the preheater. I don't know how some guys do it without lots of hot water.

[nymapleguy607]

3%
How do you mix the filter Aid ??
For that matter what exactly is filter aid?

[3% Solution]

nymapleguy,
We draw into a 3/4 gallon stainless pot.
Into that pot of syrup we put 1/8 of a cup of filter aide, stir it really good, mixing it up real good.
In the filter / canner we have a thick Orlon filter, on top of that is 3 or four paper filters.
We dump the syrup / filter aide mixture on top of the filters, put the cover on and don't worry about it.
We can filter up to 3 gallons of syrup before we have to change the top filter.
Once we change the top filter we add filter aide to the next 3/4 gallon to be dumped in.
Mountainvan got me using it a couple of years ago, it's great, the syrup looks very clear.

Now, what is it?
It is a ground up sedimentary rock, this rock is a fossilized diatom, a soft shelled algea.
What makes it work is, it's very porus (?)the holes fill with the material to be filtered and the filtered material also clings to itself. All of this helps the filters do a better job.
Remember to use the food grade!!!

Fred,
I agree with you on the hot water!!!!
We have had hot water out of the EEU and can't imagine not having it!!!

Dave

[KenWP]

They use the filteraid for makeing wine also. Just lets the particles in the liquid have something to stick to before they hit the filter.

[darkmachine]

Last season was the first season we made maple syrup, and we got a lot of pointers, and instructions from some old timers. They instructed us to use whole milk mixed in while finishing the syrup. We then skimmed off the top the congealed dregs. This left the syrup really clear, and almost no sediment after it was filtered(with homemade flanel filters). Has anyone else ever heard of this "milk" method?

[PerryW]

I've been using the smaller size flat filters and the 12" x 24" Filter Canner for years filtering about 120 gallons of syrup each year for 20 years.

I like the flat filters because:

1) They have more surface area

2) Cheaper

3) The take less room (vertically) so I can put the filter-canner right under the draw-off valve and run directly into 5-gal drums without any pouring or pumping.

I never have tried any filter aid.

Here's a pic:

[3rdgen.maple]

darkmachine yes I have and there are several other old time ways of filtering. I think if you were to sell your syrup it might be frowned upon. Cone filters are pretty cheap and work really well. They can be washed and and reused many times. I like the cone filter as it is just a preference thing but I would consider the small investment and get one and a few prefilters as well.