What Temperature Do you First Set The Auto Draw-Off At?

[Bruce L]

I am new to this(auto draw-off that is),and just wondering what temperature do you usually start at until the first draw when you can check with the hydrometer or refractometer?

[sugaringman85]

I started with my auto draw off at 7 or 8 degrees over the boiling point of water. As the temp got close the set temp i kept checking with the hydrometer till it was right. don't know if thats how its correctly done but thats how i did it. I also have never had the temp start at the same the next day. I've also never had the same temp at the end of the night as the beginning.

[Brent]

I always start well over the expected syrup temp, test and test until I get a little over density, then reset the draw off point lower. I like to draw at about 67.5 to 68.5
and adjust in the canner. As noted above, it never stays the same from day to day. In fact I don't find it stays the same during a 4 hour boil. You'll find the numbers are almost meaningless. You have to test and tweak the numbers all night.