CDL Vacuum Filter Press

[@htschad9685]

Thank you for the information, I have a cdl 12 inch vacuum press. We don’t use DE but we double up the wool and prefilter and make sure they are damp. We’ve had good success but I might try the slurry method! Best of luck!

[@toddwebster1093]

This video helped me to decide to purchase this unit. Just reviewed it again before I run a few batches through. Thanks for the content.

[@ChanyataFarm]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@rickim7007]

Great Video, I just used my 9" CDL vacuum filter press and so far a big disappointment to what I expected from watching others use the system . I had not used the Diatomaceous earth, I used a pre filter and the wool filter and a 6 1/2 hp vacuum. I also have the same problem on finding the correct adaptor from the vacuum to the filter, so I also used tape like you did. I also noticed that you customized your spout for the glass bottles. I had to resort to mason jars because I didn't notice that the spout that came with the press barely fit in the bottle and made a mess

[@ChanyataFarm]

We were able to make the spout out of a couple of small piece of copper with a reducer on the end that fits perfect into our bottles. It really has worked out very well. Definitely give the diatomaceous earth a try, it made a big difference for us. Be sure it is food grade if you do pick some up. Someone else on this video suggested a Fernco reducer coupling for the shop vac, and that was work PERFECT

[@fredA1234]

So I don’t know if I’m doing anything wrong, but I have the same filter press that you do. I told her that the first time it took about a half a gallon and wouldn’t suck anymore through it so I spoons off it was left back into my pot change my filter, heated it back up and did it again. And my syrup is completely foggy. I’m not sure what I did wrong. Thanks Fred

[@ChanyataFarm]

Are you using diatomaceous earth to help filter?

[@TheWeekendMedic]

For your vacuum connection, try adding a Fernco rubber union connector - it has two hose clamps on it, will allow you to snug either side to get a better fit.

[@ChanyataFarm]

I actually picked one up last week! It has worked great

[@mikebarney5310]

Very informative video, thank you for sharing. My question, if the CDL filter does plug and you still have half a gallon or more of syrup to pull though but can't, how to you get the unfiltered syrup out of the unit without a mess? And, can I assume you clean the filters, reheat the unfiltered syrup and redo the process?

[@ChanyataFarm]

What I do when this happens, I will bottle whatever has made it into the pot, then just dump everything left back into the pan for the next draw off. Once the stuff on the filter cools, it will somewhat solidify. You can pull the dirty pre filter and replace with a clean one, or clean it and put it back. We usually get through 3-4 draw offs before we have to clean or change the wool filter

[@fredA1234]

Yeah, from talking to people I think I’m doing a lot of things wrong. I’m going to regroup and try again next time. Thanks for getting back to me.

[@ralphcrandell3009]

What does the port inside the filter unit look like? My fear would be that the vacuum would suck the syrup too. How much finished syrup would you run through the unit at once ?

[@ChanyataFarm]

There is a 90 degree elbow that turns down toward the bottom of the pot. You DEFINITELY have to be conscious of how much syrup you are putting through the filter, you can over fill and send it in to your vacuum. The capacity for this size pot is just over 3 gallons. With the size of our operation, our draw offs are seldom over two gallons at a time. Hope that helps!

[@joshwiebe7654]

I have a homemade setup that im looking to improve. Do you find with this model that your vacuum ends up pulling in some syrup/condensation or is there a way to prevent that?

[@ChanyataFarm]

Condensation yes. Syrup in VERY small amounts. I clean the inside of the vacuum every so often because of this. I’m not sure if small amount of sugar trap in the water vapor/steam? But the inside of the vacuum does become sticky after several uses.

[@CR-Music-u9b]

So when your filter clogged how did you finish the batch

[@ChanyataFarm]

Bottle up everything that has made it through the filter, dump out the stuff that didn’t filter, reheat that, start over with new filter material

[@ericjohnson5465]

Just looked that vacuum filter press up online but $730 is too much for my hobby setup! I’ve enjoyed watching your videos and your progression; keep it up!

[@ChanyataFarm]

Thanks Eric! I was just having a similar conversation with someone about the filter presses. It amazes me that they haven’t come out with a more affordable/entry level hobbyist version. There is definitely a market for it!

[@TheWeekendMedic]

Build your own - I was able to download the CDL instruction PDF with clear diagrams, sourced all the parts from Amz and Walmart, have a working unit for under $150. It's waiting for it's first use, likely tonight as my first batch finishes.

[@romerobinson8279]

How much DE do you use per gallon of syrup?

[@ChanyataFarm]

That isn’t quite the way we do it. I use about two tablespoons mixed with hot syrup in a cup to make a slurry. That slurry goes on top of my filter. I use the same slurry if I’m going to be drawing off a half gallon or 3 gallons. Every time we have added the DE straight to the syrup in the pan, it has clogged our filters and even the vacuum won’t pull it through

[@Buzzybeeacres]

So adding the slurry into the filter prior to dumping finished syrup on it doesn’t clog up as much as if I put the DE in dry?

[@ThomasKMills]

Cleanest sugar shack I've ever seen👍

[@ChanyataFarm]

Now that’s the best compliment I’ve ever received!

[@Buzzybeeacres]

What was the solution for You when it clogged? I had it happen almost every batch last year

[@ChanyataFarm]

Bottle whatever did get filtered, then add whatever didn’t make it through back into our tray. Swap out the plugged pre filter for the next draw off.

[@darrengarlough5121]

Could a guy put that cdl container on an electric burner on your counter top if it cooled down to bring it back up to bottling temp? This will be my first year, I’m just seeing the sunup cooling down as the evening goes by.

[@ChanyataFarm]

Definitely. Especially for some of our larger batches, the syrup cools below 180 and we have to warm it back up. We use a propane burner but an electric one should work just fine as well

[@birchfieldfarming]

Great info here! Filtering can be such a process. Question: Regarding the actual vacuum, is it just a shop vac or something specific you purchased from CDL? Thanks again for showing this process.

[@ChanyataFarm]

I’m kicking myself I didn’t show the vacuum! It is a tiny little shop vac, 1.5 horse I believe. If anything in the system needs upgraded, it is a little more robust vacuum. I know we will burn it up eventually, we are asking it to work really hard

[@birchfieldfarming]

@@ChanyataFarm Thank you! Great info, and it’s fun to see your awesome set-up. Hope it’s another good season.

[@butchmcgregorb1203]

I use one of these and still have a hard time filtering maybe need a more powerful vacuum 9:01

[@ChanyataFarm]

The problems we have had seen to be when I either use too much DE, or when we try to do several gallons at once. I’ve had really good luck with doing 2 or less gallons at a time

[@billshorter4280]

After filtering, how do you clean the orlon filter? Do you clean the pre-filter or use a new one each time? For the orlon filter, shiny side up or down.

[@ChanyataFarm]

We don’t use orlon, we use wool. All we use to clean is rinsing with lots and lots of hot water. I have probably 10 pre filters, we swap those out often, and clean them the same way, just rinsing with hot water