finally getting a filter press, have lots of questions.......

[Suckmytap]

hi all - i am finally upgrading my filtering setup to a filter press, and I have a ton of questions. I know there are some threads here but was hoping to get some refreshed information given the newer technology / models. For a quick background, I have 200 taps in natural 3/16 vac and produce / bottle 6-10 gallons of syrup a day.

My first questions are around processing. Will i be able to process only 6-10 gallons per day even with the smaller press? How long can I leave the press filters in place, one day, one week, a month?

Does the syrup need to be boiling temperature to work through the press or just warm? If not boiling, is there a temperature the syrup needs to reach first?

For the hand pump vs gear pump, does anyone have a really strong reason / experience to not get the hand pump? the cost seems pretty appealing and i think it will work for the small amount of syrup ill be processing.

In terms of the press material, it look like there are basically aluminum, plastic, and stainless. Does anyone have a major opinion one over the other?

thanks!!!

[MISugarDaddy]

First of all, you will REALLY like having a filter press. We do about the same size of batches as you do and our 7" short bank works great for it. My wife was a little hesitant on our spending $1200 on a press, but after one time using it, she said she wished we had gotten it much sooner.
First question: We change our filter papers and filter aid for every batch. It costs about $1 for the six filter papers and the filter aid you use for each batch (on a short bank model). We don't feel it is worth the risk of blowing a filter paper and having to redo the whole batch. I know others on here don't agree with doing that, but we just don't feel it is worth the time to take the chance.
Second Question: The syrup needs to be hot to work well in a filter press. We draw off from our finish pan as soon as the batch of syrup is ready, so it is near boiling when we process it.
Third Question: We opted for the gear pump version after talking to a couple of people that had a hand-pump model. They said for smaller batches that a hand pump was fine, but for 6-10 gallon batches that it would be nice to have the gear pump version. It is nice to flip the switch and in a couple of minutes the entire batch is ready for bottling.
Fourth Question: At the time we got ours, the plastic models had just come out and we decided to go with the proven technology, aluminum. If we were to be doing it over now, we would probably look at the new stainless steel models that are available. Smoky Lake is selling one that looks very nice and because of its design, you can't screw up and put a plate in backwards. It is possible to reverse a plate in our unit, but so far, we haven't done that.

One thing for sure, regardless of what version you go with, you will definitely like it.
Good luck.
Gary

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

You will love it, I can't add any more than one that because this my first year and still learning. I can't believe I have been using cone filters to do 150 gal syrup last year, 250 the year before, I love to abuse myself I guess.

[wiam]

Skip the gear pump. Get an air powered diafram pump. Industry is trying to get away from brass pumps.

[maple flats]

You will love the press, which ever you choose. Brass gear pumps are being phased out, I suggest you get an air powered diaphragm pump. If that just doesn't fit the budget, get the hand pump and when you can "fit" a diaphragm pump into the budget change the hand pump for the diaphragm pump.
Syrup must be filtered hot, must be over 190F, I prefer 205-210F, then bottle immediately so the syrup is still over 180F. I used to do 6-8 gal batches, very easy on a powered pump short bank press, I'm not so sure about a hand pump model on that. I have since, gotten a finisher and filter enough to fill a barrel (26.5 gal) or the bottler (16 gal) at a time, but I have added 2 sets of plates to my short bank press. My press was a gear pump model, and as the pump needed to be rebuilt I got a diaphragm instead. Huge improvement.

[Suckmytap]

Thanks for all the great info everyone. This answers a lot. With regard to the type of material the press is made of, how important is being heat resistant? I can see how plastic absorbs far less heat, keeping the syrup hotter? Or does it actually have a reverse affect in cooling the press quicker once out of syrup and therefore needing more priming again before the next batch? Does stainless absorb too much heat and have the opposite affect of plastic? Not sure if this is even relevant.

last question, a part from having easy access to materials like papers and filter aid during the season, how important is being close to a dealer / person to service the pump? Do pieces / components break or become worn down over time and need be replaced often (at least once a season)?

Thanks again.

[red maples]

they have come out with stainless steel gear pumps.

as I am boiling I will filter a gallon of syrup at a time so it stays hot.

as for filter aid and filter papers buy the full packages it will be cheaper. a 50lb bag of filter aid is going to run you about $27 to $30 depending on your dealer you are in VT so I am sure there are some folks around that you can get stuff pretty easy or a trip to bascoms isn't out of the question once year either. a box of 7" filter papers is going be about $65 to $80 and you should get at least 2 seasons or more out of those.

you can search you tube to get an idea of how to use them. Keep an eye out on here I got mine from but in VT about an hour north of you and got a wesfab full bank machine with only plates for a short bank which is 4 plates and 3/4 bag of DE and 3/4 cs of filter papers for $900.00 great deal. I love it you can actually filter about 5 gallons of syrup in about 30 seconds and its cyrstal clear.

a 7inch short bank will be able to filter about 10 to 15 or so gallons of syrup depending on how much DE you are using and a full bank should get you through 40ish gallons at a wack. but you will break down the the machine and clean it after each use.

Bascom's is actually having their spring sale right now so if you are looking to buy new sale is 10% so you can save a bit.

have fun!

[325abn]

Did I read that correctly, 6-10 gal of syrup a day with just 200 taps?

[Drew Pond Maple]

If his sap is 3% it's possible

[RIVERWINDS]

I have a plastic frame press with air pump. I can put my hand on the plates during filtering so it's especially nice with a few young ones running around. I lose very little temperature from fluid going in to fluid coming out. And it's really nice to show visitors the workings of the press as you can see the syrup filling the press and when it's starting to fill up with DE. I had one of the very first models where they had some issues with the molds but Leader stood behind it, gave me brand new plates and all has been good since.