whats wrong with aluminum?

[bowtie]

ok so i know that galv is on its way out but what is up aluminum i just read a post that aluminum is not recomended for sap? did not know this, is this true? would love to hear from dr. perkins on this. i know that sap if left to long can "eat " away at the galvinizing but did not know it did this to alum. if true what the heck are supposed to use for buckets? plastic? if galv and alum are bad why are they selling them? i am a little cofused on tis matter!! want to safe but want to do like old timers.:confused:

[mike z]

The "old timers" only lived to be 80-90, you're expected to be here til you're 120.

[red maples]

Gotta wing this one... haven't heard from doc Tim in a while its his this is is study season!!! as we all know!!! Old Galvanized used lead. new Galvanized used a slightly different metal combination, (obvious by the Price $$$$) and contains no lead. New sap buckets are basically dumped daily there is little chance for contamination. Buckets are on there way out for bigger hobby producers beacuse of tubing and labor costs. I sugar by my self and have 300 taps I couldn't imaging collecting 300 buckets then boiling by myself... It takes me 7-8 hours just to get through that. I would never sleep. Hats off to those who do. Now Galvanized or aluminum are not good for storage beacause of the slight acid from the sap and the metals can leach into the sap. As well as non-food grade plastics (basically any plasctic not labeled food grade) When you buy it if it doesn't specifically say or was previously used buy a food product you should stay clear of it. This is reason VT and and others are making the switch from galvanized to SS and Plastic barrels. they are safer. If you ever have put finished syrup or sap in an aluminum pot you will see it turn a dark grey. it from the acid in syrup. its just enough to make leach metals. Now there are aluminum alloys that are highly corosive resistant but the better quality of alum you go its still not Stainless. and can cost not as much as but can get pretty close to stainless for storage. And you have to remember your concentrating that sap by more than 40 times. so what ever leaches into it as sap will be highly concentrated as syrup.

Anyway Newer generaltion Galvanized, aluminum, and plastic buckets and sap sacks are perfectly fine to use. I do use a few around just to have them they look awe-some!!! but are still alot of work

[CBOYER]

Aluminium bucket are safe to use with sap, there is more aluminium bucket in use in Québec than you have taps in NY.... i never see sap changing color in an aluminium bucket. of course, we empty them each days or two...there is a big difference in corrosion resistance between aluminium and galvanized

Galvanized buckets arent avalaible in Québec since a long time..

But, aluminium is not recommend for boiling sap, due to pitting by sugar (acidic), and cleaning niter almost impossible.

[Starting Small]

I have a guy who offered to sell me some older galvanized sap buckets (for the trees not for storage), am I correct in hearing that I should stay away from these?

[Starting Small]

I have a guy who offered to sell me some older galvanized sap buckets (for the trees not for storage), am I correct in hearing that I should stay away from these? Maybe I should try tubing or stick with milk jugs instead of the old buckets. Should I be concered with these older buckets?

[wiam]

Galvanized sap buckets should be fine. There are thousands of them still in use. The sap generally is not in them very long anyways.