My filter setup

z987k · 07-08-2009, 05:24 AM

Well it seems there is not a lot of information out there on filtering(taboo subject right?)... and I'm sort of interested in it, so today I went down to Farm and Fleet and picked up an omnifilter whole house filter for $17.

Now at the store they only sold 5 micron filters, so I didn't buy a filter yet, as I would like to go 1 micron.

So I looked around the internet and it turns out the standard 9.75"(sometimes called 10") x 2.75" filters pretty much all fit each brand. So after looking at prices, of all places the best deal I have found is on morebeer for $3.75 per filter for 1 micron nominal filters.

I still haven't found a local source for 3/4" NPT to 3/16" hose barb, but I bet mcmaster carries them. Pictures and live in action to come as soon as I get it together. I'm thinking this will cost around $20-25 to build and $3.75 per use, so not too bad... Assuming you already have corny kegs and the valves for them.

I've read some stuff on hbd that says you can slowly backflush a filter with sanatizer to clean it a bit and then store it cold in a plastic bag for more than one use. That would bring the cost down even more.

Also I noticed morebeer sells what amounts to this system for $40. Not bad if you don't want to turn the 2 hose barbs into the housing to make your own.

RICHARJM · 07-08-2009, 01:47 PM

I went to plumbingsupply.com in order to find the hardware to go from the 3/4" npt to the 3/16" barb. I used a step down coupler in between. They have it in copper and stainless so u have some choices. If you use a 5 micron filter it filters out alot more than you would think. I have been told if you go smaller it starts to strip out some of the flavor, have never tried it so i really don't know from experience.

lustreking · 07-08-2009, 02:06 PM

I've seen that setup on morebeer, and I always wondered how you'd use it without oxidizing your beer. I guess you could flow co2 through it, but how long would you need to do that to ensure that enough air has been removed for the housing and filter?

I'm curious to hear how this works for you. Plate filters, though much more expensive, don't seem to have as much worry of oxidation, so I'm leaning in that direction.

Tonedef131 · 07-08-2009, 03:43 PM

I use a filter like that and I just push sanitizer through, which pushes all the air out. Then I push that out with CO2, so all the liquid is replaced with CO2. I have never had any oxidation problems with it.

camiller · 07-08-2009, 03:48 PM

The June 1 2009 episode of Brew Strong was on filtering. Lots of good info there.

lustreking · 07-08-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonedef131

I use a filter like that and I just push sanitizer through, which pushes all the air out. Then I push that out with CO2, so all the liquid is replaced with CO2. I have never had any oxidation problems with it.

Makes sense. I guess you have to hold it upside down when you're blowing the sanitizer out, right?

z987k · 07-09-2009, 02:45 AM

That is what I planned on, sanitizer followed by a push with co2.
I still think I'm going to go with the 1 micron this time. I may grab a 5 to see how it goes, if it doesn't get as brilliant as I want it, I'll stick with the fine.

Clarifying is obviously a part of filtering, but in reality all I'm really looking for here is to speed up the brew date to glass date time. My beer are already rather brilliant without the use of any finnings but I would like it to take less time to do that.

**android** · 07-09-2009, 03:56 AM

i'll be curious to see how this ends up working out for you, i've often thought about going this route. i know david_42 has a very similar setup i don't think he uses it much anymore, but he says it works very well.

**david_42** · 07-09-2009, 02:42 PM

I use it as needed, but that's probably less than twice a year. By the way, 5 micron filters do an excellent job on beer.

kxx · 08-13-2009, 06:38 AM

I am fermenting a flavored beer, the Orange Cascade recipe found on this site. I am also looking to implement a filtering system for clearing my beer. I am leaning towards the cartridge filter, but was wondering what a 5 micron filter will and will not, remove...

The recipe calls for coriander and orange peel to be put in the boil, for aroma and to some degree flavor. Will a 5 micron filter have any effect on these components of the beer?