Using water jugs to collect sap.

[Pibster]

Last year I used spigots and hung the water jugs. This year I plan to use the 5/16 health spout, and run a hose from the spout to the jug through a small hole in the cap of the jug. I am worried that some of the jugs may overfill and back up into the tap hole causing increased bacteria. Is this likely to happen? Should I drill a 2nd small hole in cap for an overflow?

[Maplehobbyist]

The caps really only need to hold the hose and prevent stuff from getting into the jug. Don't screw them on real tightly and any overflow will happen at the cap to jug juncture. Not screwing on tightly also makes the jug easier to switch with another when it gets full.

[Maplesedge]

Tracy's right, but why not use bigger jugs? I get my bags at Walmart, but lots of folks use 5 gal. Food grade buckets.

[GramaCindy]

One thing to keep in mind also Pibster…I have not ever used jugs myself, but I hear that if the sap freezes, there is no way to get it out until it thaws.

[Pibster]

I did have some frozen jugs last year when I hung them. Put them near the arch and they slowly melted. Leaving the cap loose is a good idea.
Thanks for the info.

[Starting Small]

I also would not put the hole in the cap but on the side (near the cap) so rain water will not get in.

[smokeyamber]

I use milk jugs with the smaller health taps just fine. I cut a small slit in the jug below the top. Stick the tap right through and they stay just fine. Leave the cap on. Only downside is if it does rain heavily you get some water in them, and as already mentioned they freeze up. The kids are in charge of the milk jugs cause they are easy to take off and empty and also they need to be checked more often so I put them at the bottom of the hill for them :D