Wine Filters

[Pantaleo]

From the pictures that I've seen, everyone seems to have the whole house filter that is clear. Is it safe to buy the opaque (non-see-through) one that is less expensive, or are the benefits of seeing the wine in the filter worth the extra costs? Thanks for the tips/help.

 

[Wade E]

Id much rather see it and whats going on. Id stay with the clear myself as I know for a fact that they can handle the higher acids in wine and the blue may not. If you are looking in the big box stores believe it or not they are actually more expensive. Check out this place . Here is a link for the housing and filters, dont forget to get the wrench and a bracket if you want to mount it.
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-158117-Filter-Housing.asp
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-WPD-110-water-filters.asp
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-PD-1-934-Sediment-Filter.asp
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-SW-1A-filter-wrench.asp
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-244047-filter-mounting-bracket.asp
If you buy these I have the plastic fittings that go to 3/8" racking hose as they do not and not many places do.

 

[Pantaleo]

Id much rather see it and whats going on. Id stay with the clear myself as I know for a fact that they can handle the higher acids in wine and the blue may not. If you are looking in the big box stores believe it or not they are actually more expensive. Check out this place . Here is a link for the housing and filters, dont forget to get the wrench and a bracket if you want to mount it.
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-158117-Filter-Housing.asp
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-WPD-110-water-filters.asp
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-PD-1-934-Sediment-Filter.asp
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-SW-1A-filter-wrench.asp
http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-244047-filter-mounting-bracket.asp
If you buy these I have the plastic fittings that go to 3/8" racking hose as they do not and not many places do.

Thanks Wade! Do you filter with both the 5 micron and the 1 micron filters? Or do you use one for reds and the other for whites? I can remember a conversation with one of the wine makers here in Missouri and he just used the "coarse" pads (which I think is a 6 micron) in the buon vino superjet filter they use.

 

[Wade E]

I use the 1 micron for whites and the 5 for reds. Remember that these filters are designed for 1,000s of gallons so either use the fiklter and then freeze it or build a PVC tube glued on the bottom with a screw cap on top and fill it with sulfite solution and keep your filter stored in the solution. Just remember using the tube method to not add your normal amount of sulfite to your wine as the filter will hold some. I believe IBGlowin tested this method and discovered that using hat method added like 18 ppm of sulfites to a 6 gallon batch.

 

[Runningwolf]

Wade or you suggesting, not using 1 micron for reds? I am currently using 1 and .45 micron filters.

Some other maintenance tips for cartridge filters. I always dump my first two bottles back into the source carboy. This way your not getting any single bottles with a concentrate of sanitizer. Always remove the o-rings before storing filters in sanitizing tubes. If you don't they'll get deformed and will be worthless (ask me how I know). They are not easy to find either. I now have a sandwich bag of extras.

 

[Wade E]

Im not saying not to but I dont use anything but 5's for reds, dont really see a need to as anything finer is for polishing and reds dont need polishing IMO. Not sure what you mean about the O-rings, did you once store the O-rings in there once also?

 

[Runningwolf]

The enolmatic filters have two o-rings on them that hold the cartridge in place. If you leave the o-rings on the filter when you store it away in solution it will destroy them over time.

 

[Pantaleo]

Wade, I tried searching the forum for IBGLowin's post regarding the increased sulfite levels when using these filters, but didn't have any luck.

Since I am just starting off and using kits, it sounds like it would just be easier to just freeze the filters afterwards. Can you help explain the process? Do you dry the filter first? How about the thawing process?

Thanks, Dan, for the tip on reincorporating the first couple of bottles!

 

[Wade E]

I just freeze them as soon as Im done with them but I only use a filter I used on a red for another red and never switch unless you dont mind making a Rose. I just let them thaw in the freezer bag for a few hours and they are ready to use.

 

[BobF]

I just freeze them as soon as Im done with them but I only use a filter I used on a red for another red and never switch unless you dont mind making a Rose. I just let them thaw in the freezer bag for a few hours and they are ready to use.

Do you backflush or anything before you freeze them?

 

[Runningwolf]

It doesn't sound like Wade does but I'll let him answer that. I immediatly backflush with clear water then return hoses to normal positions and continue to flush until all wine is flushed out. Next I run a solution of PBW or oxy-clean through it and then let the filter soak for about 30 minutes. I dump everything out and then once again flush with clean fresh water. Then I store away.

 

[Wade E]

I do not flush as then you would have to sanitize it again due to using water. I just freeze it. maybe I could get a few more uses out of it by back flushing it but I consider I am already saving quite a bot of money by using it many times and dont try to push it. Dan, are you sure PBW is ok for the filters? I do flush my lines with sulfite solution and actually store sulfite in the lines (Not the housing!) though as there is a metal screw under the release valve that will corrode very fast.

 

[BobF]

It doesn't sound like Wade does but I'll let him answer that. I immediatly backflush with clear water then return hoses to normal positions and continue to flush until all wine is flushed out. Next I run a solution of PBW or oxy-clean through it and then let the filter soak for about 30 minutes. I dump everything out and then once again flush with clean fresh water. Then I store away.

How do you "store away" the filter element?

 

[Runningwolf]

I made a capsule out of 3# pvc. I store the filter in that in sanitizing solution.

 

[BobF]

Kool idea. I have a new mini project!

 

[ffemt128]

I made a capsule out of 3# pvc. I store the filter in that in sanitizing solution.

Ditto... I took dan's idea and ran with it.

 

[maddog]

Can someone suggest minimum specs that I should look for in a pump to use with a whole house filter?

 

[Runningwolf]

Wade can help you with the info on the pumps he uses. I got the cheapest vacumn pump at Harbor frieght on sale for around $65.00. That pump is big enough do do anything you want.

I think the pumps Wade uses are quieter and don't use oil. I dont regret mine at all and it would pull wine all over the house if I wanted it to, BUT if I was going to do it over i would go with the one Wade uses.

 

[Wade E]

Not sure what limits the filters have on them but I know the pumps I was selling had a max volume of 30 liters per minute but that was maxed out and I doubt anyone ever has it maxed. I would say that the filters could take way more cause Im guess standard water pressure in your house especially under city water would be much greater!!!!!

 

[maddog]

I'm assuming an electric water pump will not work.