HEPA filter orientation for aeration?

[JLem]

I have a new aeration kit from Williams Brewing. It came with one of these HEPA filters - http://www.williamsbrewing.com/IN-LINE_2_MICRON_FILTER_P440C106.cfm

Does it matter which way it is installed? I don't see any indication of "air in", "air out"

Also, can I just sanitize the tubing downstream from the filter with star san like I do for all my other tubing?

 

[woodstone]

Having worked in a laboratory there is usually a unique flow direction. That said, not sure it really matters if you are just pushing air (or O2) through it. Plumb it up and have at it. No worries!

 

[Seven]

I don't know if the air filter orientation matters or not...

Have you asked William's Brewing about this?

 

[Delorean1981]

I would agree with above, I would imagine there would be some air in/out but it being a simple plug and play filter, I'm not sure it would matter. Air passes through the filter regardless.

I dipped the end of the line that touched the wort in my star-san solution just prior to aerating. That said, it wouldn't hurt to get some straight tubing to keep the air diffuser in the wort. I made the mistake and had to hold it in with my spoon for 10 mins.

 

[JLem]

Thanks. I don't see any info on the Willliams site and I need to use it soon - wort is currently chilling. I have the aeration wand, so floating should not be an issue.

 

[JLem]

I called Williams Brewing Customer Support - as far as the guy I talked to knew, there is no particular orientation.

 

[woodstone]

I called Williams Brewing Customer Support - as far as the guy I talked to knew, there is no particular orientation.

"no particular orientation"...hmmm.

 

[Docjowles]

I got the same filter from another store. They said it doesn't matter which way you hook it up at first, but afterward, always hook it up in the same orientation. Otherwise you'll be blowing crud back out of the filter.

I don't know if that is true or the store was just paranoid, but it sounded like good advice, and I have not had an infected batch. I just wrote IN on one side and OUT on the other with a sharpie.

From personal experience, I suggest letting the tubes air dry after sanitizing them and before use. I used them wet the first time and it turns out air flows REAL slow when Star San foam is gumming up the diffusion stone.

 

[JLem]

I got the same filter from another store. They said it doesn't matter which way you hook it up at first, but afterward, always hook it up in the same orientation. Otherwise you'll be blowing crud back out of the filter.

I don't know if that is true or the store was just paranoid, but it sounded like good advice, and I have not had an infected batch. I just wrote IN on one side and OUT on the other with a sharpie.

From personal experience, I suggest letting the tubes air dry after sanitizing them and before use. I used them wet the first time and it turns out air flows REAL slow when Star San foam is gumming up the diffusion stone.

I did the exact same thing - labeled one side IN and the other OUT - figured better safe than sorry. I didn't seem to have any problems with the air flow with using the star san.

 

[JLem]

"no particular orientation"...hmmm.

Yes, the filter unit is bisexual...or a hermaphrodite

 

[woodstone]

Yes, the filter unit is bisexual...or a hermaphrodite

Kidding aside, do what Docjowles says...if you reuse...make sure "in" stays "in" and "out" stays "out".

Ewww....even saying that sounds yucky.