RO Bucket filter system

[DRoseum]

Yes, I tested a 10 inch paper i got from another producer. They wrap around it perfectly with a bit of overlap. You would need more hose clamps to hold it in a few places. The 15 inch paper would have even more overlap. I had planned to use the 10 inch ones and food grade silicone caps to put over the end of the perforated cylinder: https://a.co/d/6Yf8fDd

Either approach works. I just ended up liking the reusable orlon since my press is 7" and I didn't feel like ordering separate 10 in papers.

I don't use the screen sleeve that comes with it at all FYI.

[82cabby]

Relatedly, I'm almost certain the heating unit is the same as this one from vevor

Does the return hose just run through the hole in the lid?

Seeing as how I’m a home brewer as well, might be a good investment….

[madmaples]

Does the return hose just run through the hole in the lid?

Seeing as how I’m a home brewer as well, might be a good investment….

Yes, I think so. I don't have one of these filters just yet, but I already had one of these for bottling. It super convenient I filter directly into it and set it to 185-190 and just bottle. No more ladles and funnels for me

I checked the temps with my thermometer and it stays pretty consistent. The temp probe is ~2" from the heating element, so you do get some variability, but at most about 5-7F.

[CTguy923]

Yes, I think so. I don't have one of these filters just yet, but I already had one of these for bottling. It super convenient I filter directly into it and set it to 185-190 and just bottle. No more ladles and funnels for me

I checked the temps with my thermometer and it stays pretty consistent. The temp probe is ~2" from the heating element, so you do get some variability, but at most about 5-7F.

isnt a 5-7 degree variability kinda big when it comes to bottling temps ?

[octane]

I have used the ro filter 3 times now. Way better the the orlon filters of the past. To answer a few questions that have come up, when done with a batch I pour the leftover syrup from the filter back in the 1st pot and mix it with the next batch of syrup I am going to filter. If your pump is and lines are cold you will need to warm them up before filtering, I had to stop and clean the filter part way through due to slow output, once everything was warmed on after cleaning it took a few minutes to run the remainder of the syrup through. The temperature has been right on in the canner when checking with a thermometer. I set the temp on the high end of the bottling range so if off 5-7 degrees I am still above the minimum bottling temp. If you are looking for a better way to filter I would recommend this.

[MRFNY]

Update on the RO Bucket filtering / canning system: it is pretty freakin awesome! I had 5.5 gallons in the canner and brought it up to density without any issues. I was worried about a potential boil over but the canner easily holds 8 gallons so I was well below that. It's very easy to control temps and the boil. Once the syrup was up the density, I let it cool to 200 degrees then added the filter aid and ran it through the filter. After 20-30 seconds the syrup made it's way through the filter and out of the exit hose. As the instructions state, just run the syrup back into the canner until it runs clear, so once I saw that I then started filling up canning pots with crystal clear syrup. Once the canner was rinsed, I poured the syrup back into the canner for bottling. Maintaining proper bottling temps was a lot easier than the pervious method of using a Leader finishing tank controlled by propane.

I thought I was making pretty clear syrup until today. It's awesome looking syrup and I give all the credit to the new system. It did take some planning since my sugar shack doesn't have power so I had to transport near syrup to the location I will now be bottling. Not a big deal at all. I also did order the hobby canner from Roth so I could save a little time by not having to rinse the RO canner in between filtering and canning.

Overall a very impressive unit for the price! Props to Carl at RO Bucket too. Pretty sure I drove him nuts with a lot of questions but he was always available and even offered to facetime to watch the process.

[MRFNY]

I have used the ro filter 3 times now. Way better the the orlon filters of the past. To answer a few questions that have come up, when done with a batch I pour the leftover syrup from the filter back in the 1st pot and mix it with the next batch of syrup I am going to filter. If your pump is and lines are cold you will need to warm them up before filtering, I had to stop and clean the filter part way through due to slow output, once everything was warmed on after cleaning it took a few minutes to run the remainder of the syrup through. The temperature has been right on in the canner when checking with a thermometer. I set the temp on the high end of the bottling range so if off 5-7 degrees I am still above the minimum bottling temp. If you are looking for a better way to filter I would recommend this.

Just posted my update after first time using! I highly recommend it as well.

Wish we could post photos on this site!

[madmaples]

isnt a 5-7 degree variability kinda big when it comes to bottling temps ?

The 5-7 degree difference is only while it's in the middle heating from cold. If it's just keeping syrup warm the difference isn't as much.

[Vtmbz]

How much syrup can you process between cleanup. Knowing that syrup quality varies!
Also: I make about 5 gallons of syrup daily, drawing 1-2 qts every 30 minutes. Will,this system work that way? I.e. lots of small batches.

[MRFNY]

How much syrup can you process between cleanup. Knowing that syrup quality varies!
Also: I make about 5 gallons of syrup daily, drawing 1-2 qts every 30 minutes. Will,this system work that way? I.e. lots of small batches.

If you make 5 gallons daily, I would just buy an extra filter or two. That way you give the one filter enough time to dry between filtering.