Almost maple syrup time again.

[ejb]

Well, that might be a slight exaggeration, but I do want to be better prepared than I was last year.

I did manage to produce about 2 gallons of maple syrup using 1 gallon milk containers to collect that sap and boiling it on the stove...(best maple syrup I have ever tasted btw).

Anyway..this year my goal is to produce more like 30-50 gallons of syrup...so obviously cooking on the stove won't cut it.

Anyone know a good source for maple syrup supplies, and can recommend the cheapest way to get started with more of a "real" maple syrup processing equipment? I am OK with the collection part, but need a better way to boil the sap. I would prefer to use wood (I do have a free lifetime supply right in my backyard /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) and would also prefer not to spend a lot of money.(I do not not have a lifetime supply in my backyard /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

How about some quasi-homemade type evaporators?

 

[PhilNH5]

ejb,
Here is a link for Leader
They are a major supplier. I got the link from Alan40 or Sugaermaker or Youare (one of the NE sugarers) 2 years ago.

I think you will be in for an unpleasant surprise concerning costs. Sugar arches are expensive. I picked up a copy of the Green Mountain Trading Post this past weekend. It is published in St Johnsbury Vt. There were a bunch of used sugar arches and the lowest prices were $1,500.

Phil

 

[sugarmaker]

Hi Ejb,

Well, you get points for thinking ahead. You probably want to look into a wood-fired evaporator (and a sugarhouse to put it in) in the 2x6 or 3x8 range. There are several manufacturers who make these:

Leader in St Albans VT (with dealers throughout the NE). They're probably the biggest supplier.
Algier in Swanton VT. Alan40 just bought one of these for his new sugarhouse.
Waterloo/Small Brothers in Enosburg Falls VT
Dominion & Grimm in Quebec

The first 3 of these have offices/showrooms all within 15 miles of each other; you could visit all 3 in a morning.

I hope you've been saving up. New equipment in these sizes is upwards of $3K. Used holds it value well; you may find used setups for half of that.

I think you'd have a hard time making 30-50 gal on any homemade pans. Unless you are prepared to make a drop/raised flue back pan, your evaporation rate is going to be so slow you'll still be boiling in July.

You'll also need several hundred gallons of sap storage, and some way to easily collect your 200+ taps worth of buckets.

Perhaps you could keep your eye open for someone who is getting out of a similar-sized operation. I see ads in The Green Mountain Trader and The Buyer's Digest (look under "On the Farm") occasionally.

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[alan40]

Afternoon ejb, Bascoms in New Hampshire has some used rigs and not at bad prices. There web site is www.bascommaple.com or tel. (603) 835-6361. I just purchase a new rig from Algiers. It's 24x66 and good for up to 125 taps+-. $1800 off the floor with about another $500 in the future for add ons.
I made a barrel evaporator last year and did 5 gallons but had to finish inside to get better syrup. I had 20 taps and consistly got around 30 gallons of sap on a normal day on bad days very little. During big runs I could'nt keep up with the boiling or the storage. This year I'll do 70 taps and use 2 275 gallon tanks for storage.
You can buy used buckets pretty cheap around here. Most dealers have them.
Also a good forum for maple anything is www.Mapletrader.com. A bunch of good guys willing to answer even the lamest of questions and I should know!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I rank them right up there with this forum.
Take care and feel free to contact me anytime. I just started 3 years ago so proberly won't know all the answers but I have several sites on maple syrup if you want them.
Later

 

[alan40]

To round out Sugarmakes list. Dominion & Grim have a dealer in Georgia Vt. All around the same distance from St.Albans. I have dealt with them and they are good people also. If you get up here give me a call or e-mail. If possible I'll give you the grand tour. Most of the dealers here are closed on Sat. untill Feb. but open 8-5 during the week.Take care

 

[Docsknotinn]

Are any of you guys selling your own syrup ??? inquiring minds want to know. Dave

 

[alan40]

All depends on the year but the answer for now is yes. I'll proberly be doing a some plastic jugs and some small glass bottles also. The previous years I've only made enough to give to family and friends!!! Last year that was about 5 gallons. My sisters like about 2 gallons a year on there own!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Should of never taught then to cook with maple syrup. Makes a good pork roast and sweet carrots!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Take care!!!!!!

 

[ejb]

>>I hope you've been saving up. New equipment in these sizes is upwards of $3K

Thats always the problem isn't it?...at 30 gallons per year at around $40 per gallong, it takes darn near 3 years just to break even on the new equipment. More if that $3K is just the starting point...and I suspect it is....guess I need to either produce more, or spend less on the equipment.

Anyway, I'll defintely read up on all the helpful links and keep my eyes open for some used deals. Defintely want to go wood fired.

Thanks all for the suggestions...keep 'em coming. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

I always find it fun to buy stuff from hobby farmers and tractor point friends. Especially as a Chef and some one who just likes to eat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Be sure to drop me a PM any one here who has their own products up for sale when the time comes. I find the syrup stuff very intersting. What a great combo. Tractors, The woods and food /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Dave

 

[BigEddy]

A topic dear to my heart. You've got a lot of good advice, if you want to spend $. Let me tell you how I've stayed cheap.

To put in perspective, I tap 100 trees, make 80-100 litres a year (Okay - thats about 20-25 gals for you Americans - I'll use gals going forward)
I use a very simple set-up - See the picture.
Its a 24x36 flat pan, set on solid concrete blocks. 16' of 7" black stove pipe for a stack, no front door, but I'm working on one for some year.
I've got about $100 into the pan I had made, about $20 into blocks, which tend to last 1-2 seasons, and not much in stove pipe. Compared to the $20K I have in the sap hauler (tractor) it's basically a free set-up. I set it up on my front lawn.

My pan will boil about 100gal of sap in a long day. I finish on a propane fired corn-boiler, which gives better control. I use a batch process (1 day) rather than a flow, and end up with about 2-3 gals a batch. A good thermometer and a good filter are indispensible.

If I were to invest more, a piggy back warming tank would be first, then a longer pan. More length will evaporate more water for the same wood usage, the warming tank speeds up the process.

So not to say I wouldn't recommend you spend the $3K and buy a hobby unit - I'd love one - but you can make a lot of syrup with a cheap setup if you want. I have to admit I go pretty steady for 2-3 weeks.