Beer Filters

[Kbar]

Need feedback from anyone using the clear 10" home water style filters (1 and 5 micron).

-How long at what pressure does it take to filter a 5 gallon corny keg in the 1 and 5 micron filters elements?
- Are these elements reusable?
- How do you sanitize?
- Does anyone recommend them?
- Does flavor improve?
- Any other options out there other than patience?

Thanks!

[Ozwald]

I used the canister-style filter exactly twice. The first time it was novel & had so-so results, the 2nd time inspired me to say fuck this shit & go back to gelatin permanently.

*It took a while, I don't remember how long.
*The elements are technically reusable, but I wouldn't. It's borderline impossible to get them clean/sanitized to use again.
*The first time I ran an entire keg of starsan through it at low pressure. When I switched to the beer keg I dumped off the first bit of it - ironically wasting a lot more than I do with gelatin.
*No.
*No.
*Gelatin.

I've heard that plate filters are marginally better, easier to use, less wasteful, but more expensive in the long run. I can't say for sure because I've never used one & I never will.

[Charlie]

I've heard that plate filters are marginally better, easier to use, less wasteful, but more expensive in the long run. I can't say for sure because I've never used one & I never will.

I have the plate filter. It uses three types of filters (course, medium and fine) and will run about 6psi max. The time it takes to filter 5 gallons ranges from about 10 minutes with the coarse filter to forever with the fine filter. This is it:



I used it a couple of times, but I'm lazy. $69.99 from MoreBeer or you can have this one for $25.00 plus actual UPS ground from zip 71103.

Charlie

[MoG]

I currently use the 5u and 1u set up to filter from secondary to eventual receiving keg. Sanitize the lines and cartridge holders (without filters) by running sanitized solution from a CO2 pressurized Corney. Place the filters into the holders, connect transfer and receiving vessels and then purge entire system with C02 before filtering. Fill the transfer keg slowly (3-5 psi of CO2) to pass beer thru the filters to the receiving keg. I generally filter 10 gallons at a time and toss the filters afterwards. The clarity of the beer has improved however protein haze is evident at colder temps (42F). . Beer is crystal clear at 50F. I have contemplated going to a 0.5u filter to help eliminate remaining protein haze but fear that color and hop flavor will sacrifice in my IPA's. At the end of the transfer the filtering does the job well as you will see especially in the 5u canister. Honestly, the overall taste and appearance of the beer has improved greatly. I cold crashed previously but the hop particles and cold haze led me to this current filter system. As far as recommending this I would say that it is better than cold crashing but I would like to try other methods before I hang my hat on it.