Filtering question for Mike McDole

[yajsmith]

Mike, would you please post your filtering procedures including where and what you bought in the way of supplies. I would like to know the size of filters you use and also your way of filtering. Thanks, Jim

[TastyMcD]

I use the 6-side plate filter that's available from various retailers. I bought mine at morebeer: http://morebeer.com/view_product/5676/ I use the 7 micron filters that I can only find at Williams Brewing. I've tried lower microns with marginally better results and unneeded problems. I found that with 7 microns and reasonably clear beer (2-7 days at 35F works), I can filter 10 gallons with one pair of filters. I pretty much follow the instructions that come with the filter. Things they generally don't mention are 1. flush the target keg and filter housing with CO2 2. run some of the beer off from the source keg until it's clear. 3. When filtering two kegs, don't let the dregs from the first keg go into the filter. 4. Never leave the area where you are doing the filtering because you will eventually forget and find your finished beer all over the floor. And if anyone ever tells you that filtering strips flavor and color, tell them "Mike McDole said those are recipe issues".

[BadRock]

Damn, hows that for fast friendly service!?

[yajsmith]

Mike, thanks for the quick reply and clear instructions. I really appreciate it. Cheers, Jim

[DannyW]

I use the 6-side plate filter that's available from various retailers. I bought mine at morebeer: http://morebeer.com/view_product/5676/ I use the 7 micron filters that I can only find at Williams Brewing.

Mike, do you fill the filter with sanitizer and push out with CO2 or just blow CO2 through the housing for a while?

I wonder if those pads are really 7.0 micron, or are the 0.7 micron? I see the William's brewing site says they sell 7, 3, 1 micron. Morebeer sells "rough" (2 micron), "polish" (0.7 micron) and "sterile" (0.35 micron).

I have a sneaking suspicion that they are actually the same pads, but perhaps William's pads are showing absolute and the B3 pads are showing nominal? I know I have been able to push 10 gallons of beer through both the B3 rough and B3 polish filters without much trouble.

[TastyMcD]

Danny,

I just flush with CO2.

You may be right about the absolute vs nominal micron differences in filter ratings but I know for sure that the Williams filters are about 25% thicker. I feel that I get a better seal with that extra thickness. It may be psychological though.

Tasty

[pmanz]

I was just wondering if anybody ever figured out if it was a .7 micron filter or not.

I've been listening to the clarifying show and Doc said 3-5 micron will get most out and it seems that by that logic, 7 would be on the big side.

I just ordered a 1 micron filter from my LHBC and figured if it was a .7 I'd at least be close. I need to pull some yeast out of a beer brewed with a saison yeast that isn't dropping out.

Prost!
Paul

[Anthony]

Mike McDole filters his beer... meeeeyaaaaaa.