Filtration

[Stoat on a rope]

The last few weeks I've been listening to about two hours a day of brewing network podcasts, it's becoming an obsession now, but damn those American home brewers have it easy!

One of many things I want to do as a result of this is to start filtering my beer, trouble is, filtration equipment is a bit limited in the uk, I was wondering if

A) does anyone here filter their beer? And how do you do it?

B) does anyone have any advise on what I can buy in the uk that would give good results? Or has anyone ordered from the states and is it worth it?

More beer in USA sell a nice looking plate/ sheet filter for about $50 and they ship internationally but there could be a customs charge. Also the danger with buying from there is getting replacement sheets, and more shipping charges etc.

Thanks for any thoughts on this!

[Nofolkandchance]

Yes, I filter quite frequntly for both bottled and kegged beer that will be force carbonated, depending on what ive brewed.

I use a Buon Vino Superjet which Ive had for a few years now and although costly, its performance is simply superb.

I let the beer clear on its own till its reasonably clear then chill down to zero degrees C' to bring on a haze then run it through the filter with No 1 course pads. Despite what others will tell you these filters will take any remaining yeast and protein haze out. The filteing process takes minutes. You can also use the No2 polishing pads that will filter super bright but youll get a lot of foamiing and it will take some of the body out. Having said that, ive used these for larger with excellent results. The No3 filter pads are a non starter for beer as they are too fine.

I know its not everyone cup of tea but each to our own.

[Stoat on a rope]

That's interesting, I looked at that and it was only the cost really putting me off... But if you say it's that good I may have to investigate further.

I'm currently drawing up plans to chill a cornie in order to reach 0C for that exact reason. I let my beer clear up fairly well too. I used to use gelatine finings but now use protafloc and it does a fair job. It's not even the clarity that bothers me too much, but after listening to Jamil Zainasheff talking about how filtering removes the last of those left over yeasty flavours I think if I could do that it would really improve my beer.

As is always the case though as soon as you ask for help, you find what could be the solution...

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... r_Mk4.html

Don't know how I missed this, but if anyone has an opinion on it it's a fantastic price, I'm just wondering how affective it is.

Then again, my birthday is coming up, maybe I could treat myself to a buon vino superjet...

Cheers for the advice, it was just what I was after!

Edit* realised it was actually the minijet I was looking at not the superjet, definitely can't stretch to the superjet, same concept though.

[Nofolkandchance]

You don't want to filter beer with that. Itl take forever and a day. Really youll be wasting good cash. You want to force filter not gravity filter if you're serious about it.

Honestly mate, i've tried every way possible and the superjet is by far the easiest and cheapest efficient option other than spending a small fortune on a professional set up

[Ringbolt]

Spotted this on another forum a few months ago but haven't got around to trying it for myself yet.

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewt ... =30&t=6251

[Stoat on a rope]

I agree, had a proper look at it and decided its definitely not what im after. Think it's going to be the buon, if I'm going to do it I may as well do it properly.

Cheers ringbolt I've already contemplated one of those actually, but wasnt sure how much beer waste there would be, plus I came to the conclusion I would need a pleated filter, can't remember why now, and I've heard they are not good for the beer, also can't remember why! anyhow the negatives seemed to outweigh the positives, being that it looks cool and wasn't too bad price.

However I am looking to get one of those with a carbon filter, to sort my tap water out before it goes into my HLT.

[Nofolkandchance]

I agree, had a proper look at it and decided its definitely not what im after. Think it's going to be the buon, if I'm going to do it I may as well do it properly.

Cheers ringbolt I've already contemplated one of those actually, but wasnt sure how much beer waste there would be, plus I came to the conclusion I would need a pleated filter, can't remember why now, and I've heard they are not good for the beer, also can't remember why! anyhow the negatives seemed to outweigh the positives, being that it looks cool and wasn't too bad price.

However I am looking to get one of those with a carbon filter, to sort my tap water out before it goes into my HLT.

I've got a short video on my phone. I'll see if I can post up a link for you so you can see it in action

[jonny8ball]

=

I use a Buon Vino Superjet which Ive had for a few years now and although costly, its performance is simply superb.

cool never thought of filtering beer iv got the mini jet filter perhaps i can use this with the course pads with the same results?

[Nofolkandchance]

=

I use a Buon Vino Superjet which Ive had for a few years now and although costly, its performance is simply superb.

cool never thought of filtering beer iv got the mini jet filter perhaps i can use this with the course pads with the same results?

Yes you can use the mini jet but the beer needs to be clear mind and frequent use will hammer the pump. I sold my old mini jet and upgraded to the Superjet for that reason.

The cost of filtering can be costly if you consider its £3.00+ for a set of filters! This will put a lot of people off but 1 set will cope with 50 ltrs in one fell swoop. The filters are not reusable. Ive tried backflushing cleaning and it doesnt work so each sessions a new set remember.

[Nofolkandchance]

Heres a couple of videos, not great as one is sideways on. 23 ltrs in under 5 minute using Course No-1 pads

The filter running
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/8620/910c.mp4

The filtered beer
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/369/slm.mp4

Hope this is of help to you Stoat on a Rope

[Fil]

that Buon Vino Superjet sure looks the business. i have attempted filtering thru 10" cartridges with little success, i aimed to have 2 inline 5 micron then 1 micron, i tested with a single 5 micron filter and the result was a good start followed by a gradual slow down till i upped the the gas on the source corny which helped for a short time, but i had to keep upping the gas pressure and at about 20psi the filter housing sprung a leak from its vent.. result a beer shower and no more filtering attempts..

[Nofolkandchance]

Ive tried the cartiges with the same result. As I said earlier, the beer needs to be reasonably clear befor you filter. Filtering will take it to sparkling crystal clear. Even with the Superjet, though, if you filter cloudy beer itl spray everywhere as the filters will clog.

[Stoat on a rope]

Cheers for all your help guys, ive gone for a minijet courtesy of Barneey at a pretty decent price. I've also just ordered a 10" cartridge housing for pre brew water filtering.