2nd Year 1st Real Cooker.

[cvgaydos]

My second year with a slow start on the north side of the hill in Millville, PA, but onto my first burn with my new cooker, got the idea from another pic on this site, thanks for the ideas, friend made pan out of 14ga. stainless bottom and 18ga. sides 2X2X8. Works ok for my needs. Boiled off 40 gallons today, probably another 40 tomorrow. Wanted to try the Black Birch separate but not getting any sap from them? Only tapped 3 to try the flavor, maybe not this year.

[Kev]

My second year with a slow start on the north side of the hill in Millville, PA, but onto my first burn with my new cooker, got the idea from another pic on this site, thanks for the ideas, friend made pan out of 14ga. stainless bottom and 18ga. sides 2X2X8. Works ok for my needs. Boiled off 40 gallons today, probably another 40 tomorrow. Wanted to try the Black Birch separate but not getting any sap from them? Only tapped 3 to try the flavor, maybe not this year.

I have been wanting to try some birch. I think i will do a little with a turkey fryer when i do. I do not want to tap that very many just to see what its like.
hey 2x2 beats 1x1 :)
Someday I am going to make it to your town for the boat races there.
When I do, we could trade samples:)

Seems any reason to sip some of the golden necter is a good one
good luck with the rig

[3rdgen.maple]

Its way to early for birch. Just about the time you pull your taps for maple you will put the taps in for birch. Tried it and its not for me. Takes over a hundred gallons of sap alot of time, alot of wood, alot of patients and is very delicate to overheating to get anywhere near a gallon of syrup. The trees put out more sap in a day than alot of maples do all year. I had to collect a minimum of twice a day and sometimes 3 and each time the buckets were overflowing. I boiled for days on my 2x6 to the point I had to transfer it to a more controlable heat source. When I finally got syrup I didnt like it one bit. But thats is just my opinion, some love it. Takes nothing like maple syrup. Very bitter.

[Kev]

Its way to early for birch. Just about the time you pull your taps for maple you will put the taps in for birch. Tried it and its not for me. Takes over a hundred gallons of sap alot of time, alot of wood, alot of patients and is very delicate to overheating to get anywhere near a gallon of syrup. The trees put out more sap in a day than alot of maples do all year. I had to collect a minimum of twice a day and sometimes 3 and each time the buckets were overflowing. I boiled for days on my 2x6 to the point I had to transfer it to a more controlable heat source. When I finally got syrup I didnt like it one bit. But thats is just my opinion, some love it. Takes nothing like maple syrup. Very bitter.
well that would take the fun out of it...whats the point if its not sweet LOL

[3rdgen.maple]

well that would take the fun out of it...whats the point if its not sweet LOL

It is more of a specialty syrup for glazing veggies and meat rather than a pancake syrup.

[cvgaydos]

By the way, the birch you used? Were they white or black, Im going to try black as they outnumber the white about 20 to 1 here. You say the sap wont run untill the maples are done? So I should wait for it. Just want enough to try it, Ive heard the birch industry in Alaska is steady but the syrup is bitter, One person said close to turpintine.

[SDdave]

I likey that cooker, looks like something that i could use. I didn't know birch could be tapped for syrup. I've oftened wondered tho, cuz when I was landscaping a clients yard we had to cut some roots. The ground literally was drenched for days.

[BC Birch Tapper]

After tapping birch for several years I know all to well that it is definately not Maple. I's a different kind of tree, a different kind of sugar & a different kind of end use. I had maple syrup on my pancakes on the weekend. But I had birch suryp vinagrette salad dressing & will do a birch glaze on salmon this weekend when we have friends over.
I have made maple syrup before many moons ago, but birch for some is all they have, so I say.....when in Rome.....do as the Romans do. Every birch producer we've talked to across Canada & the US sells out every year & many fetch a premium price. I see lots of folks tapping many different trees & making some varied syrups ro enjoy. :cool:

[cvgaydos]

New cooker worked out pretty good! For next year, next project will be a flue preheater, hopefully.:lol: