Question about AG DE Filter

I read all the time that people vacuum to waste. My DE filter has a valve on the bottom to empty the old DE. Most pics I see of AG DE filters don't show a valving system like a sand filter. My filter is a Pentair Star 50.

My question - is such a valve common on AG DE filters?

vin, you have a 'bump' style DE filter, which doesn't have the 'multiport' which allows for the 'waste' option. I have notes on my old posts which say to direct you to here and here. For some more 'general' DE info, I also have this

Thanks for the reply.

This is actually my 6th season with the pool and I was wondering about all the posts that refer to "vacuum to waste". Luckily I haven't had a need to vacumm to waste or have a filter clogging experience.