WVO filtering, step by step?
September 4, 2005 - 5:37pm
OK, here's my first non-tech question: I am planning on using a passive filtering setup in my heated basement, and I will probably only be using 5-7 gallons per week, assuming that I get ~45MPG in this 1997 Jetta.
I checked with the chinese restaurant on my block, and they were really agreeable to getting rid of ANY of their old fryolator oil on a regular basis. After allowing the oil to settle, and the first course screening, I plan to use a fine paint screen, into a 5 gallon bucket. Second and third passes will be with a 5 micron and 1 micron bag respectively, each time into a new clean bucket.
My understanding is that the WVO should be ~120 degreesF. Am I ok filtering with this proposed method? Will water be eliminated in this way, or do I need something like 'MrFunnel' to do that?
Your comments and direction are encouraged!
Thanks!
Rick in CT
September 4, 2005 - 9:37pm
#2
after settling the screen is pointless.
After it's settled run it through 5 micron filters a few times and heat it to de-water...
I used to filter once to 5 microns but clogged a filter pretty quick. I since started filtering over and over and over... all with 5 micron filters. It's been a few thousand miles and no clogs! I'm using the whole house water filters...
-------------------------
Her
"Do I smell McDonalds?"
Me
"No, that's my Bimmer"...
Her
"Will it make me fat?"
Me
"You're already fat"
September 5, 2005 - 3:45am
#3
Once everything is filtered, how long can WVO be stored at room temp w/o a biocide?
Rr
September 5, 2005 - 9:20am
#4
I keep my filtered wvo in closed cubies. Even after months the oil doesn't smell rancid. Probably because no new bacteria or fresh air gets introduced. Don't keep it in a container which exposes the wvo to air, methinks.
September 5, 2005 - 9:25am
#5
What are 'whole house water' filtering systems? What specific type/grade do you use, and where can I get them?
Rick
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Greasin' in New London, CT
September 5, 2005 - 9:34am
#6
i was thinking of using the "whole house water filters" too. i have to experiment with it though. I was concerned the fluid would be to thick for the filter element though. Do you have your 5 micron filters in parallel or in a series configuration ?
-------------------------
Remember...
Amateurs built the ark...
Professionals built the Titanic...
September 5, 2005 - 11:56am
#7
The whole house water filters are available at Lowes, Ho's Depot, etc... The premium filters are rated for 80% of particles 5 micron or larger. I have 1 filter on my settling tank and 2 in series on my polishing tank. So.....
The grease is filtered once to 5 microns coming out of the settling tank, I then run it in the polishing tank long enough to make sure all the grease has gone through the filters 4+ times. The pump pulls off the bottom and dumps the grease back n the top, since I only polish the grease wth a full tank there's no splashing. The pump is a Harbor Freight 1" water pump. @ 70*F it will circulate the entire drum in ~45 minutes... then I can put the grease in long term strorage for the colder months.
-------------------------
Her
"Do I smell McDonalds?"
Me
"No, that's my Bimmer"...
Her
"Will it make me fat?"
Me
"You're already fat"
September 15, 2005 - 6:47am
#8
Ok, so here is a real non-techie question on procedure: I buy a whole house water filter at the Local Massive Vendor, connect it to a 55 gallon drum so that it can recirculate the wvo, which is semi-filtered when I put it in this drum. Is it really as simple as all that? I will let the raw wvo settle for 2 weeks before starting the process...what else do I need to know of these basics?
Thanks for the advice!
--Rick in CT
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Greasin' in New London, CT
September 17, 2005 - 7:35am
#9
...
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Rick
Greasin' in New London, CT
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I gotta say it again. Don't cheap out on filtering. Your first clog up on the road will make you kick yourself.
Just prefilter through a 5 gallon bucket screen, 200 micron. If the oil is 80-100 degrees it will run just fine.
Then let it settle for a while to dewater. How long? If your basement is 70-80 degrees, I suggest a week or two. If you can heat the oil to 100 degrees or so, then only for a day and all the suspended water should drop out.
Then get a good filter housing, transfer pump, and some 1 micron filter bags (or 5/1 duel stage bags). Make sure you don't pump from the bottom 3-4 inches of your settling bucket.
Sure, there are people who have gone the cheap way and had good luck. I don't like being at the mercy of luck when it comes to my engine. So I pay now for reliability that will last as long as I grease. If you need to think of it differently, just do the math and see how much grease you have to burn before you reach ROI. If you have to burn grease for 6 months longer in order to pay back a fool proof filtering system, isn't that really just a small price to pay?