Grading Kits

[Choubacca]

Wow! They are expensive from what I've been finding, especially on the Bascom site. Is 346 dollars what I should expect to pay? I know to be able to sell I need to properly grade the syrup, but is that amount of money what it is going to cost? The temporary ones although cheaper just seem to be a waste since they last only a year.

[twofer]

I have the contact details for who you need to talk to at the USDA to get a permanent set for $130 including S/H. If you want it shoot me a PM.

[PapaSmiff]

Is a perminent grading kit worth the money, at this point, if the grading standards are going to change in two years. I've read that in 2013 there will be a new grading system.

[Brent]

I recently saw a digital colorimeter at our local maple dealers and was stunned by the price. Just now I googled
"digital colorimeter maple" and up popped a Hanna for $195. Less than most permanent kits and never goes out of date when the standards go international.

BUT
the kit to do 75 tests is ONLY another $ 429. Bummer.

[ennismaple]

Wow! They are expensive from what I've been finding, especially on the Bascom site. Is 346 dollars what I should expect to pay? I know to be able to sell I need to properly grade the syrup, but is that amount of money what it is going to cost? The temporary ones although cheaper just seem to be a waste since they last only a year.

The temporary (2-yr) grading kits are about $25 and will get you through until the new grading system comes into effect in a few years.

[Brent]

I've emailed the dealer on the Hanna thing. Something there does not add up.

[maple flats]

I have seen the temporary grading kits for $16-27 (Leader is the high one), why that much range? They all appear to be from the same mfgr.

[Dill]

Get the temp one, we will all be buying a new one in 5 years.