OK Tom, what is ...

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- Analogueman
  
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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Dec 30, 2003 1:13 AM

Okay Tom, what is the "DE" you referred to when responding to Raanan's question about filter connections.

I imagine that you are talking about connecting a throw away filter of some kind to the suction end of the Flojet and immersing the filter into the wine to be filtered.

I have heard good filters are expensive and cheap ones are messy. I use a Flojet to transfer wine (200 litre - from-grapes) when racking.

An alternative to an expensive filter that may not be used very often sounds interesting. I'm a boater and generally handy at building things. Would you expand on construction of a suitable filter. Please...

Thanks, Roger

PS The Flojet I have has quick-connect in/out connections. The pump comes with various size hose-barb and garden hose connectors. Very handy as the connector will turn in the seat, eliminating kinking of the hose and it does not leak. Good pump.

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- Tom S
  
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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Dec 30, 2003 6:30 AM

Diatomaceous Earth.

No. The filter goes on the pressure side of the pump.

For racking from barrels, I'd suggest inert gas pressure racking or gravity racking. I only use a pump when there's no alternative.

I pretty much outlined such a device in my previous post. What part did you not understand?

Tom S

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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Dec 30, 2003 11:07 PM

A couple things I forgot to mention about doing DE filtration:

Start the filtration by pumping the wine back into the source tank. This is necessary to precoat the DE septum to some depth. The first stuff through the filter will still be cloudy until an adequate precoat builds up on the septum (paper cartridge). When the wine runs clear from the discharge side of the filter, divert it to an empty receiving vessel WITHOUT STOPPING THE FLOW. Keep stirring the wine in the source tank to keep the DE in suspension until you're almost finished. If for some reason you have to interrupt the flow through the filter, the DE will fall off the septum and you'll have to precoat again.

It takes a bit of practice to get the technique down and to estimate how much DE to use, but once you get the hang of it it's pretty easy and you'll save lots of $$ on filter cartridges.

BTW, I have used Eagle Picher "FN2" DE with great success. There are other grades available, but this one polishes wine very nicely.

Lastly, don't even bother trying to filter a cloudy wine. That's an exercise in futility/frustration. You need to start with wine that's already pretty clear.

Good luck! Tom S