Draw-Off

[ClarkFarmMapleSyrup]

Just a quick question. I bought a cheap couple gallon cleaning bucket for my cone filters to hang in. Should this bucket be made of stainless steel, or should the bucket be a plastic food grade bucket. Just wondering what I should use for draw off collection.
:confused:

[adk1]

ONe of the threads stated that if you add hot syrup to anything plastic, whether it is food grade or not, it may impart an off flavor to the syrup. I am sure that others will chime in with their experinces.

[BryanEx]

You can pick up old Delaval heavy stainless milk cans with a lower handle for pouring off ebay for about $50~$60 bucks if you are willing the play the auction game. From what I understand they are also readily available at many farm auctions in the States.

- Bryan

[Haynes Forest Products]

I was thinking that what ever you use should be clean and free from dirt and not be made of wax or anything that would melt and paper mache is a bad idea because they are hard to clean:o Now if you line it with aluminum foil and food grade silver duct tape you should be OK. Or Call Jim I think he has a few I dropped off at his place:)

[SevenCreeksSap]

Dang, there goes my paper mache stack thru wax roof of my new hay bale sugarhouse idea.:cry:

[Haynes Forest Products]

Sorry OK this is my story I have hot packed syrup in all sorts of plastic containers. Have never had a complaint or off flavor. Now is it or was it wrong I'm not worried.

Now that I have most of everything I need I moved away from plastic only because I produce larger amounts of syrup and buckets wont work. But that took alot of time and I'm not trying to be snooty. If I was back to making small amounts of syrup in the Walmart buckets it would go.

[maple flats]

While SS is best, as long as the plastic is food grade and can take the temp you should be ok. You will not be drawing fast enough off a 2x3 to melt most plastics. Do however try just opening the draw off valve a tiny bit for the first flow and let it cover the bottom maybe 1/4" deep as soon as you get to draw off temperature. You would however do better with SS. When I had a 2x3 I went to a second hand shop and found a 2 qt SS pitcher. I paid $1 for it, no dents but some surface scratches. That was what I drew off into the first year. The second year I grew to a 2x6 and used some 16 and 20 QT SS pots from Big Lots for around $15-19 each. I have used those and added a few more since. This will be my first year usin anything better (and bigger)

[adk1]

I went to Tractor Supply and bought some 9 qt SS pails. I think I paid under $20 each. They have a larger one as well

[jmp]

I'd have to agree with Bryanex, you can find these for less than 50 bucks.

The best pails at the best prices I have found are here: http://www.homesteadersupply.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_10_133&products_id=623&zenid=e1ac5df5f2672fc11253a1fcb6d959a4

I have two of these and you could probably use them to support a tractor. Heavy duty and will last a lifetime.

Adk1 is right, the pails you get at TSC are much cheaper but not as heavy duty. My two cents anyway! Good luck. :)

[adk1]

yeah they are lighter duty for sure. but to start out, I cant see spendign $100+ on a SS pail. That is 1000' of lateral line!

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

so I should stop using dixie cups?

[jmp]

Dixie cups are fine as long as they are big enough :D

[njburg]

I found 13qt ss pails for 22.95 at stylesandstainless.com