Filtering Maple Syrup with a vacuum filter

[@htschad9685]

We have been using a vacuum filter system for 5 years and never used DE . We double up on the olefin filter and the pre filter and make sure they are damp. Then we filter into our canner as well and we have had good results. I’ve been wanting to try the DE , maybe next season. Thanks for a great informative video !

[@tammy932]

This is really helpful! I used DE last year for my very small amount of syrup but I didn’t use nearly enough. I had white stuff settle to the bottom and thought that was DE. Now I understand that it’s sugar sand and I need to use way more. I love your vacuum filter. It beats the crap out of my homemade one. Where can I get those filter papers? You gave me some ideas for improving mine. Thanks!

[@pfd37]

I buy them through the local cdl dealer.

[@CameronWWE123]

Great job of explaining your process. I bought the CDL filter press this year ready for the up come season.

[@slhomeandpropertymaintenan183]

Very informative. I’ve been having issues with mine and been considering using the DE.

[@jacobberry9711]

Nice setup, thanks for showing this. Never used vac or DE. Lookin forward to trying it!

[@TheWeekendMedic]

Great video, thanks! Did you decide shiny side of the filter up or down? I built my own this season, excited to give it a try - I don't have prefilters yet, out of stock locally, but I have 6 main filters to rotate through.

[@pfd37]

Rougher side up, which makes the smoother (shiny side) down. Not sure what the manufacturer suggests, but it seems to work best for us.

[@kmisercola7180]

I made a homemade one and it works pretty darn good. I think I need more de because I found filtering it 2x's worked better for me.

[@fredA1234]

Thank you so much

[@fredA1234]

My other question is were very small we only make a couple two or 3 gallons a year. I try to boil my sap off every day or two as long as it’s cold enough to keep it.if I boil it down to half or so can I put it in the refrigerator and leave it for a week and then boil it all together to make syrup?

[@pfd37]

No, it will go ropey and be lost. Boil it as soon as you can, or you can try freezing raw sap briefly. Finish any sap you boil asap.

[@romerobinson8279]

How much DE do you use per gallon?

[@pfd37]

I don't have an exact amount, it's been trial and error. Usually the 12 or 16 quart pail is used to draw off and I'll put three heaping spoon fulls (big hog spoons is what we call them). Probably figures out to 6 cups or so.

[@greenbloodscott]

Hi , you said the thicker filter goes shiny side up ?? Is that correct ? I bought one like yours and will be using it soon . Thanks

[@ferguson6292]

What CFM rating is your vacuum pump? Did you put a water separator on the line from the pump to the press?

[@pfd37]

42 cfm iirc, but I've run it on s small shop vac

[@fredA1234]

Where’d you get that powder and what was it called?

[@pfd37]

Food grade diatomaceous earth. Any maple supplier will have it.

[@chrisbragg5794]

thanks very helpfull

[@martinwollmann8026]

Are you using the fine or courser DE?

[@pfd37]

No idea. It's the standard food grade DE from our maple supplier. Wasn't aware there was a difference other than food grade vs other. It's very fine, so I assume it's not course.

[@mattschwartz915]

Make sure you get DE from a maple supplier or equivalent DE from somewhere else. It needs to be coarser DE (Dicalite 5000 or similar). I learned the hard way that a bag of food grade DE from amazon was way too fine and it clogged my vacuum filter immediately.