Maple Syrup

[vtsnowedin]

It was zero F here this AM. Tubs and tanks are about a third full of ice. I haven't filled the rig yet and it doesn't look good before next weekend.

[MIKE R]

It looks like the real season will start this Friday. I have had enough of these short little runs, I want some big runs... enough to fire up the evaporator.

[David P]

We've collected three times now, first couple were small runs (averaged around 200 gallons each) but this last one was pretty decent (450 gallons). The weather forecast (haha) for the upcoming weekend looks promising but I'm not holding my breath anymore. Our forecast over the past couple of weeks hasn't been very accurate. I'm really hoping that we don't have an abrupt temperature change all of a sudden like we did last year.

I remain hopeful but admit to being a bit nervous. How many taps do you have in, wawajake?

[rmorey]

Last year was our first year, we had 38 taps out and got just over 5 gal. Our problem was filtering the niter. What's the secret? We tried hot, cold, warm, cool, didn't seem to matter. This year we tapped on 9 March and got a gallon that weekend, nothing til this weekend where we had ice. Boiled down the ice and got 2 quarts (and 1/2" of niter). Grandkids had a ball, climbing hills and emptying pails.

[vtsnowedin]

Last year was our first year, we had 38 taps out and got just over 5 gal. Our problem was filtering the niter. What's the secret? We tried hot, cold, warm, cool, didn't seem to matter. This year we tapped on 9 March and got a gallon that weekend, nothing til this weekend where we had ice. Boiled down the ice and got 2 quarts (and 1/2" of niter). Grandkids had a ball, climbing hills and emptying pails.

You need a felt filter to get the niter out. Here is a supplier I buy stuff from but you can probably get it locally from where you bought taps etc.
https://www.bascommaple.com/category..._cone/filters/

[rmorey]

You need a felt filter to get the niter out. Here is a supplier I buy stuff from but you can probably get it locally from where you bought taps etc.
https://www.bascommaple.com/category..._cone/filters/

Sorry, I wasn't clear, I have a felt filter, I just have a hard time getting the syrup thru it.

[vtsnowedin]

Sorry, I wasn't clear, I have a felt filter, I just have a hard time getting the syrup thru it.

Your probably getting it a bit too thick. You could try running it through when it isn't quite done then bring it back to a boil to finish.

[rmorey]

Your probably getting it a bit too thick. You could try running it through when it isn't quite done then bring it back to a boil to finish.

I'll try that thanks.

[wawajake]

David P you asked how many taps I have............I use the formulae of 12 taps per grandchild, I only have one grandchild , but one is on the way ! So doubling my operation next year .
Just a hobby set up ! If I get to fill my 45 gallon rain barrel with raw , then I will get a few quarts of syrup for the family.

[vtsnowedin]

David P you asked how many taps I have............I use the formulae of 12 taps per grandchild, I only have one grandchild , but one is on the way ! So doubling my operation next year .
Just a hobby set up ! If I get to fill my 45 gallon rain barrel with raw , then I will get a few quarts of syrup for the family.

I like your formulae. It wouldn't work for me as yet but it sounds like some very memorable and happy days.