What am I doing wrong (bottle top filters)

[bambam333]

I just went through 5 nalgenes nylon 250mls to get 150ml total so far. Test e 300 18bb 1.5 ba. Vacuum brake bleeder in glass media. I think the filters are clogging or something it gets one small drop every 20 seconds. When I used to I would always have 2 or 3 drops every couple seconds. What am I doing or using wrong

 

[Iron Vett]

How much pressure does your guage show that you’re pulling on the filter?

 

[bambam333]

It’s the vacuum bleeder pump goes up to 760 mm something which equals out to 15 psi. It’s definitly sucking. When I pull it off it pops with air. Once I put a new filter it starts going and after a couple mins just craps out dripping til it completely stops. Driving me insane never happened before and been usin the same setup for years

 

[Eman]

What size pore are they? Are they autofil?

I accidentally bought .1um... It either blows out the filter if the oil is over 100 degrees or takes an entire day to filter until it just stops entirely. I chalked it up to the pore size but when it completely stopped I was a little bit at a loss for explanations.

 

[bambam333]

What size pore are they? Are they autofil?

I accidentally bought .1um... It either blows out the filter if the oil is over 100 degrees or takes an entire day to filter until it just stops entirely. I chalked it up to the pore size but when it completely stopped I was a little bit at a loss for explanations.

They are .22 Nalgene nylon rapid flow. Used them many times before but what you described is like how it was. Would flow for a couple mins then just die out to nothing. The only thing different about this brew was it was cloudy before the filter which I can’t see that being the reason. I lost patience and stopped..ordered some zap caps and see what happens on round 2. It’s bothering what it could be though

 

[Cakedup]

Oh yeah and if your gear was cloudy chances are the only filter that might fix that would be a hydrophobic PVDF. How did it get cloudy? When you're done brewing ot did you take it off the hot plate and that I cool down too fast by maybe sitting on a cold surface? The only other way besides moisture in your Raws would be if you were using a water bath and moisture got in that way?


Have you ever thought about switching to a 90mm glass bunchner funnel with a pore plate? Then get yourself a box of 90mm PVDF Hydrophobic filter membranes. With a .22um you can do 3 to 500mL in 30 minutes. Personally what I would do is ( and I know people don't like hearing this) use a .45um. Then you can get around 800ml in less than 30 minutes. Thousands of bottles and never had anyone ever get infection. Just lmk if you have any questions. I don't mind helping you out. You'll save a lot of time, and money in the long run if you go this route...

 

[bambam333]

Bro you would be much better off switching to a 90mm glass bunchner funnel with a pore plate inside of it and a $20 glass filtering flask. Then buy PVDF Hydrophobic filter membranes. Then you can easily do 3 to 500ml in 30 min. I know no one wants to hear this but personally i would go with a .45um and filter 6 to 800ml in 30 minutes. Thousands of vials and never did anyone ever get a infection.. Ant question just lmk...

thanks for the reply. I’m amateur at best I’ve just brewed test and other stuff here and there for years never had an issue til now. I don’t even know half the equipment you just mentioned I would have to really look into that. Also isn’t 45 not enough to filter out some of the bacterias?

 

[bambam333]

Oh yeah and if your gear was cloudy chances are the only filter that might fix that would be a hydrophobic PVDF. How did it get cloudy? When you're done brewing ot did you take it off the hot plate and that I cool down too fast by maybe sitting on a cold surface? The only other way besides moisture in your Raws would be if you were using a water bath and moisture got in that way?


Have you ever thought about switching to a 90mm glass bunchner funnel with a pore plate? Then get yourself a box of 90mm PVDF Hydrophobic filter membranes. With a .22um you can do 3 to 500mL in 30 minutes. Personally what I would do is ( and I know people don't like hearing this) use a .45um. Then you can get around 800ml in less than 30 minutes. Thousands of bottles and never had anyone ever get infection. Just lmk if you have any questions. I don't mind helping you out. You'll save a lot of time, and money in the long run if you go this route...

Not sure how it got cloudy I didn’t use water bath. But the brew that did filter came out clear. I’m thinking maybe the raws were dirtier than usual and that’s what caused the cloud and the filter to stop working? Only thing I can think of.

 

[Cakedup]

thanks for the reply. I’m amateur at best I’ve just brewed test and other stuff here and there for years never had an issue til now. I don’t even know half the equipment you just mentioned I would have to really look into that. Also isn’t 45 not enough to filter out some of the bacterias?

Yes in the medical pharmaceutical industry they say .45um is not smart enough to filter out all bacteria. However I personally thousands and thousands of bottles that were filter with a .45um used and never ever have I seen or heard anything about anyone get an infection from it. You would be surprised how many ugl's are using a .45um filter, and just not saying anything about it on a open Forum because they know that technically yes you should use a .22um. 9 times out of 10 times unless UGL is using the capsule filter they're using a .45um. Personally if I'm making it myself for personal use I'm using a .45, and as long as your area is not filthy and you're taking the halfway necessary precautions you will never have a problem.

 

[bambam333]

Yes in the medical pharmaceutical industry they say .45um is not smart enough to filter out all bacteria. However I personally thousands and thousands of bottles that were filter with a .45um used and never ever have I seen or heard anything about anyone get an infection from it. You would be surprised how many ugl's are using a .45um filter, and just not saying anything about it on a open Forum because they know that technically yes you should use a .22um. 9 times out of 10 times unless UGL is using the capsule filter they're using a .45um. Personally if I'm making it myself for personal use I'm using a .45, and as long as your area is not filthy and you're taking the halfway necessary precautions you will never have a problem.

good to know thanks. I ran it through a .5 needle syringe today to see if it makes a difference when my zap caps come in

 

[Eman]

Yes in the medical pharmaceutical industry they say .45um is not smart enough to filter out all bacteria. However I personally thousands and thousands of bottles that were filter with a .45um used and never ever have I seen or heard anything about anyone get an infection from it. You would be surprised how many ugl's are using a .45um filter, and just not saying anything about it on a open Forum because they know that technically yes you should use a .22um. 9 times out of 10 times unless UGL is using the capsule filter they're using a .45um. Personally if I'm making it myself for personal use I'm using a .45, and as long as your area is not filthy and you're taking the halfway necessary precautions you will never have a problem.

Where exactly are you coming up with this information? It's complete conjecture and poor advice all in one post.

.45um will remove particles out of the oil... That's it. Why would you not just move down one rating and remove bacteria? Talking about an opinion, as if it were fact, about how all of these UGL's run .45um is just justification of your practice... I don't see how it gets you and further ahead. Save what, a few dollars?

 

[Sworder]

Why would you not just move down one rating and remove bacteria? Talking about an opinion, as if it were fact, about how all of these UGL's run .45um is just justification of your practice... I don't see how it gets you and further ahead. Save what, a few dollars?

45 micron filters is all you need when brewing gear.

Most UGLs will use a 45 micron filter just to satisfy idiots that don't understand how things work.

Before you respond to this post Eman you might want to check the micron size of bacteria. E coli for example is pretty common.

 

[jstarks11]

Not sure how it got cloudy I didn’t use water bath. But the brew that did filter came out clear. I’m thinking maybe the raws were dirtier than usual and that’s what caused the cloud and the filter to stop working? Only thing I can think of.

Definately couple things that could be. 1 you mention cloudy. This could be dirtier raws and or particles in your raws that you normally don't have in there. Are you sure you took your temp up to the NORMAL you take to? Should have gotten temp up to 120C. BUT, one thing you have NOT looked at, and Nalgene NYLON especially is BAD for dealing with....... YOUR SOLVENTS, PRESERVATIVES.... Sometimes if using different companies and or using a product MISLABELED by the company that you buy your solvents and preservatives from. BB and BA and or MCT and MIG. These compounds will MELT nalgene bottletops. Causing them to CLOG with liquid plastic QUICK!!! Is the clear top to the nalgene filter looking hazy?
Personally, I think bottletop filters suck for this, especially your doing 300mg test which is higher than normal and makes a difference.
Just like in another post, get a VACUCAP 90. Get a CHEAP vacuum pump works off an air compressor and never look back. If you need links ask and I'll post.

 

[bambam333]

Definately couple things that could be. 1 you mention cloudy. This could be dirtier raws and or particles in your raws that you normally don't have in there. Are you sure you took your temp up to the NORMAL you take to? Should have gotten temp up to 120C. BUT, one thing you have NOT looked at, and Nalgene NYLON especially is BAD for dealing with....... YOUR SOLVENTS, PRESERVATIVES.... Sometimes if using different companies and or using a product MISLABELED by the company that you buy your solvents and preservatives from. BB and BA and or MCT and MIG. These compounds will MELT nalgene bottletops. Causing them to CLOG with liquid plastic QUICK!!! Is the clear top to the nalgene filter looking hazy?
Personally, I think bottletop filters suck for this, especially your doing 300mg test which is higher than normal and makes a difference.
Just like in another post, get a VACUCAP 90. Get a CHEAP vacuum pump works off an air compressor and never look back. If you need links ask and I'll post.

thank you that makes a lot of sense iron vett mentioned to me as well to feel the top and it was sticky from melting so I think your right about the plastic. I have the brake bleeder that’s always worked good for me can I use that the vacucap you mentioned. I also have zap caps on the way that are supposedly stronger with solvents

 

[jstarks11]

Definately couple things that could be. 1 you mention cloudy. This could be dirtier raws and or particles in your raws that you normally don't have in there. Are you sure you took your temp up to the NORMAL you take to? Should have gotten temp up to 120C. BUT, one thing you have NOT looked at, and Nalgene NYLON especially is BAD for dealing with....... YOUR SOLVENTS, PRESERVATIVES.... Sometimes if using different companies and or using a product MISLABELED by the company that you buy your solvents and preservatives from. BB and BA and or MCT and MIG. These compounds will MELT nalgene bottletops. Causing them to CLOG with liquid plastic QUICK!!! Is the clear top to the nalgene filter looking hazy?
Personally, I think bottletop filters suck for this, especially your doing 300mg test which is higher than normal and makes a difference.
Just like in another post, get a VACUCAP 90. Get a CHEAP vacuum pump works off an air compressor and never look back. If you need links ask and I'll post.

Remember, that the above mention of 120C temp is for the BREWING part of things. As to FILTERING temp, I always use 60C as my start point in filtering and as filtering is finishing I'm usually somewhere in the 40-45 C range. Just letting it cool as I filter. Never any problems.

 

[bambam333]

Remember, that the above mention of 120C temp is for the BREWING part of things. As to FILTERING temp, I always use 60C as my start point in filtering and as filtering is finishing I'm usually somewhere in the 40-45 C range. Just letting it cool as I filter. Never any problems.

I’m interested in thsoe vacucaps. Are they bottle top filters. Can I use the brake bleeder with them

 

[jstarks11]

Sorry bro, been busy. On the vacucaps, I have never used them with a brake bleeder but sure you can. You will just need to sit there and babysit it. I have never taken a vacucap over 15-17mm/hg. I believe you can but I just rather go a bit slower and not pop the filter than to be in a hurry.
Yes they are bottle top filters in that they go on the top of a bottle... Ha ha!! lol, however they are not what you would think of as bottletop like a zapcap or nalgene. You will need to buy yourself a MEDIA Bottle. You hook your "PULL" hose up to the SMALL nipple on the vacucap, then run it down in your warm brew. THEN you hook up your brake bleeder to the larger nipple on the vacucap then put the whole disc on the top of the media bottle and hold it down on it with little pressure and start pumping your brake bleeder. There will be a suction that will ensue on the media bottle that will suck the vacucap to it and until you stop pumping and having vacuum pressure on that bleeder it will continue to stay SUCKED to the top of the media bottle. There is a foam rubber suction liner under the vacucap like the seal for a pill bottle. It keeps a seal while there is vacuum.
They really work great honestly. I however would just get a cheap pump or a robinair pump. But if you are a babysitter then that brake bleeder should work fine.

Fisherbrand Reusable Glass Media Bottles with Cap | Fisher Scientific

media bottle like this.