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Maple Syrup Filtering Solution for the small producer
Maple Syrup Filtering has never been easier
for the small producer
Optimize your Maple Syrup Filtering
Filtering Maple Syrup with Cone Filter
If you use a cone filter, you need the Optimizer.
The Optimizer is a common sense solution to the pitfalls of cone filtering.
The Optimizer helps you use all of the cone filter instead of just the bottom third.
The capacity of your filter tank or pot is increased because the cone filter doesn’t hang as deep into the tank.
Pulling pre-filters is no longer a mess of spilled syrup and burned fingers with the Optimizer. It creates a stable platform into which you can pour hot syrup and remove dirty pre-filters.
Cleanup is easier with less sugar loss.
What the Optimizer can do for you
We are sure you will find that it makes filtering maple syrup much easier with a standard 8-quart cone filter and pre-filters. The rack is manufactured in the U.S.A. on CNC machinery entirely of stainless steel and is induction welded for exceptional strength and corrosion resistance.
Our new design is cleaner with less bends and welds; therefore, it is easier to keep clean.
Some benefits are:
*This is the most economical and effective way to filter maple syrup without making a large investment in equipment that will only be used seasonally.
*It can be used with any commercial cone filter tank or a household pot between 9”-15” in diameter. We recommend using a stainless pot to keep your syrup from picking up any unwanted tastes.
*Whatever household pot or commercial filter tank you use the capacity will be increased significantly. For example; if you are using a commercial “10-gallon” filter tank it will hold about 5-gallons of filtered syrup before it reaches the bottom of the Optimizer. That means you can hot can into 5-gallon jugs for bulk storage.
*With the Optimizer you will be using the largest part of the filter, not the smallest as with conventional cone filtering. Cone filters have more filtering area than most flat pan filters but until now you haven’t been able to utilize it.
* Your Optimizer is custom fit to your filter tank/pot making it safe and stable to pour hot syrup into.
*You can stage your Optimizer with a filter and pre-filters as a unit and heat it over your evaporator. Then drop it into the filter tank just before you filter. Hot moist filters filter better.
*When a pre-filter becomes clogged, simply lift the pre-filter up by the edge and it will return to its original shape exposing the clean bottom of the cone to the syrup left in the pre-filter. No more dumping unfiltered syrup from a dirty filter into a clean one which contaminates the new filter.
*Once you have worked through all the pre-filters in your stack and the main filter is ready to be changed, dip the rack with the filter in a pan of hot water or sap to recover as much sugar as possible. Add the rinse to your sap pan, no sense wasting good sugar. Just don’t let the water flow over the top of the filter to keep the niters where they belong, in the filter
Setting Up Your Optimizer
The rack you received is either in a square or round configuration depending on your filter tank. The rack has 4 arms that extend out at the top. If it is a square rack they are at the corners and round rack they are evenly spaced around the circumference of the top of the rack. The arms extend up at an angle. The purpose is to let your rack sit down into the tank a bit so the lid still fits. If you want the rack to sit a little higher then with a pair of pliers or vise grips carefully bend the arms down. If you have a square rack you may want to angle the arms away from the corner, your option.
Once you are happy with the rack height center the rack in the tank and mark the arms where they just extend beyond the rim of the tank. Using vise grips and a vise, bend the arms down so the arms will hook over the rim of the tank. NOTE: The arms are stainless steel which is rugged stuff. It won’t bend easy but you want as sharp a bend as possible so your tank cover will fit over the arms. Also stainless steel will “work harden” so if you bend and re-bend it will get harder and may break. It’s best to get it right the first time. You can trim any excess if you wish but be sure to clean up any burrs to prevent cuts. We like to keep blood out of the syrup.
The Optimizer should drop into place on your tank and the lid should fit over the rack. The fit of the lid may vary depending on the type of tank or pot you have.
Using the Optimizer
Before using the Optimizer for the first time be sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize the rack.
Stage the Optimizer Rack with a filter and 3-5 pre-filters. Use the included clips.
The 4 large clips are to secure the lip of the main filter to the edge of the rack.
The 4 small clips hold the pre-filters to the main filter.
Pre-heat the whole thing over your sap tank. Get it right into the steam flow, the hotter the better. You can easily do this by hanging a string with an S-hook over the sap tank. If you are using a Sap Pre-Heater set the rack over the steam stack.
Just before filtering drop the rack into the filter tank. Be sure to use heavy gloves because the Optimizer will be hot and the steam will quickly scald your skin.
Pour in your hot syrup and cover the tank. When the filter fills you will notice the tip of the filters stays out of the syrup but the body does all the filtering.
After about 10 minutes check the filters. If there is still some syrup that’s left, lift out the first pre-filter by the top edge. As you lift, it will revert to a cone exposing the unused bottom of the pre-filter to the remaining syrup. Just set this pre-filter with syrup down into the rack and cover the tank.
Check again in a few minute and it should be as empty. Never squeeze the filters or try to push or stir the syrup through, this will push the niters through the filter as well.
Repeat with each draw off. Once you have worked through all the pre-filters in the stack we suggest starting again with a clean filter and pre-filters. Don’t forget to preheat over the evaporator.
Dirty pre-filters and main filter can be cleaned by rinsing in very hot water. The clean filters can be squeezed to remove excess water but do not wring or twist them as this will break the fibers which will ruin their filtering ability.
Do not use any kind of soap as this may affect the taste of the syrup.
About the Optimizer
The first time I filtered maple syrup it was not a good experience. The cone filter plugged up and changing it was a mess. When we developed the Optimizer, it took our filtering to a whole new level. No more mess and well filtered syrup. After 2 years of experimenting with the design we started making and selling them. Soon sales outpaced our ability to make them one by one so today they are manufactured on CNC machinery and Induction Welded out of Stainless steel which creates a product that will last a lifetime.
PRODUCT DETAILS
The Round Optimizer will fit in a round pot 9" in diameter up to 15".
NOTE: The Round Optimizer is back in stock.
The Square Optimizer will fit in the square filter tanks such as those manufactured by Leader and other maple equipment manufacturers. It will also fit any round pot 11.25" to 15" in diameter.
You can also purchase an Opimizer at the following retail stores
Bascom Maple Farms, 56 Sugar House Rd, Alstead, NH 03602
Sunnyside Maples, 1089 Rt 106N, Loudon, NH 03307
Suga Country Products, 861 Cross Hill Rd, Vassalboro, ME 04989
Countryside Hardware, 1712 Albany St, DeRuyter, NY 13052