Lauter Screens for Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries

At STD Filter, we specialize in producing high-quality lauter screens for breweries, distilleries, and wineries, a critical component in the lautering process within the lauter tun. Constructed from durable stainless steel wedge wire, our lauter screens are available in custom or standard slot opening sizes and configurations, providing strength, reliability, and efficiency during this essential stage of production.

The wedge wire false bottom design is recognized as the most effective solution for allowing the lautering process to function optimally. The screen consists of V-shaped stainless steel wires placed across support beams with typical slot openings of 0.028 inches or 0.030 inches, although custom sizes are available depending on your specific needs.

During lautering, the wedge wire screen serves a vital role by supporting the grain bed, allowing it to act as the primary filtration medium. The solid grain components of the mash separate the wort from unwanted particles, while the slot openings support the grain bed without directly filtering it. This design ensures that the filtration process is efficient, preventing the passage of unwanted solids while allowing the wort to flow smoothly.

To ensure that the final product—whether beer, liquor, or wine—is of the highest quality, a precise and high-tolerance lauter screen is essential. This guarantees that the process proceeds uniformly, reducing the risk of bitterness or contamination from unwanted materials, ensuring a superior final product.

Key Features:
- Stainless steel wedge wire construction for durability and corrosion resistance.
- Customizable slot openings to meet specific lautering requirements.
- High-tolerance manufacturing for consistent, reliable performance.
- Suitable for breweries, distilleries,and wineries for optimal wort filtration.

Benefits of Wedge Wire in Brewing and Distilling

In brewing and distilling, wedge wire screens are the preferred, cutting-edge solution for constructing false bottoms in lauter tuns. The V-shaped profile of the wire is key to its effectiveness, as it ensures that solid materials, such as grain, stay in place while allowing efficient filtration and flow. This unique design facilitates easy extraction for processes like recirculation, turbidity testing, and ultimately, boiling. 

One of the major advantages of wedge wire is its ability to minimize clogging, making the entire lautering process smoother and more efficient. With fewer disruptions, there is less need for adjustments or maintenance, allowing staff to focus on other aspects of production. 

Key Benefits of Wedge Wire Screens:
- Efficient Flow and Filtration: The V-shaped wires prevent solid particles from passing through while enabling smooth liquid flow, which is critical during wort separation and recirculation.
- Reduced Clogging: The design significantly reduces the likelihood of blockages, ensuring the lautering process can proceed without frequent interruptions.
- Easy Maintenance: Wedge wire screens are easy to clean and maintain. They can also be manufactured in sections, making it simple to remove or add parts for maintenance or manway access when necessary.
- Durable and Long-lasting: Stainless steel construction ensures that wedge wire screens are built to last. They can withstand the rigors of brewing and distilling environments, providing durability and long service life.

Why Stainless Steel is Ideal for Lauter Screens:
- Strength: Stainless steel is robust and able to handle the pressures of the lautering process without bending or warping.
- Food and Beverage Grade: It is approved for use in food and beverage production, ensuring product safety and quality.
- Easy to Clean: Stainless steel is non-porous and can be easily sanitized, making it ideal for maintaining hygiene standards in breweries and distilleries.
- Durability: Stainless steel's resistance to corrosion and wear ensures a long lifespan for lauter screens, even under heavy use.

With these benefits, wedge wire screens provide an efficient, low-maintenance, and reliable solution for the lautering process, making them a top choice for breweries and distilleries looking to optimize their production.

The Importance of Stainless Steel Wedge Wire Screens in Lautering

In brewing and distilling, the temperature fluctuations and durability demands during the lautering process make stainless steel the ideal material choice for lauter screens. Investing in stainless steel ensures a long-lasting, nonreactive surface, critical for maintaining the quality and integrity of the wort. Even minor fluctuations in temperature or chemical composition during lautering can negatively impact the wort, leading to issues in the boiling phase. This can result in a beer, liquor, or wine that doesn’t meet flavor expectations—or worse, a product that becomes unusable.

### Stainless Steel’s Role in Lautering:
The stability and strength of stainless steel ensure that the lauter screen can withstand extreme conditions without compromising the process. As a nonreactive material, it won’t alter the composition of the wort, even under high temperatures or during extended brewing cycles, safeguarding the flavor and quality of the final product.

Versatility and Scalability of Wedge Wire Lauter Screens:
Wedge wire lauter screens come in a variety of configurations, making them suitable for any scale of brewing or distilling operation—from nano- and microbreweries to large-scale commercial facilities. This flexibility allows smaller operations to benefit from the same high-quality filtration technology used by major producers, ensuring consistency and efficiency regardless of size.

Moreover, these screens can be designed with a modular configuration, allowing for seamless expansion as your brewing or distilling operation grows. As your production needs increase, additional screen sections can be integrated into your existing setup, ensuring that your initial investment continues to provide value as your operation scales. This modularity not only reduces the need for costly replacements but also maximizes the long-term return on investment.

 Conclusion:
The investment in stainless steel wedge wire screens is an essential one for any brewery or distillery. With their durability, nonreactive properties, and ability to be customized for any scale, they provide a reliable and efficient solution that safeguards the quality of your product. As your business grows, the modularity of wedge wire screens ensures that your system can expand easily, allowing your lauter screens to grow with you while continuing to deliver top performance.