The Last First Boil Has Started!

[DonMcJr]

First boil on my New Half Pints and Probally the last boil of the 2012 Seaso5683n!

Started at 12:30 pm and its a little over 110 F right now!

What fun!

One think I noticed so far...no turkey timer every 20 seconds!

[GramaCindy]

NICE UPGRADE! You'll LOVE this unit. At least you get to try it out this year. Not enough sap to boil for me. 73*

[DonMcJr]

Thanks ill get some more pics and possibly a video or two up in a little bit...

[DonMcJr]

It's going great! I really like this new evaporator...its like I just switched from my Ford F-250 Truck to a Caddilac!

5684

[chevypower]

Yes, going from a Ford to a GM product would be a nice upgrade for you:lol:. Glad you like your new rig!

[DonMcJr]

4 1/2 Hours... I've only hit 212 F at drawoff so haven't drawn any off yet...running at 1 1/2 inches should I go lower?

[On the ledge]

With only 40 gals. of sap you probably won't be able to draw off. I boiled 60 gals on my 1/2 pint and still had to finish on turkey fryer,

[DonMcJr]

That's what I'm thinking...but ill tell ya its sure going a lot faster than the turkey fryer!

[wnybassman]

With only 40 gals. of sap you probably won't be able to draw off. I boiled 60 gals on my 1/2 pint and still had to finish on turkey fryer,

I agree, you'd probably have to run 120+ gallons through it to draw anything off, and that's probably running it an inch or less.

Get it as low as you dare before calling it quits though. Better evaporation rate there than whatever you finish off on.

[DonMcJr]

So since I only have 40 gallons...could I add water when I am out of sap and drizzle it in...will that push the sap to the end?

Or am I better off letting my fire die off and not add wood when the last of the sap is in the pre heater pan?

[On the ledge]

This is my first year using my evaporator, I stopped firing when the preheater was 1/2 empty. I probably could have waited till it was empty I still had an inch and half of sweet still in the pan I don't know if water would move the sweet forward. It took about 30 min for the fire to die out. I don't know if this helps, just giving you what I learned so far.

[ClarkFarmMapleSyrup]

I run a half pint this year, but are going to a 2x6 next year, and i just finished the last of the pan off, for the season. I have drawn off probably 5+ gallons from that evaporator, of finished syrup, but it will take you about 100 gallons depending on sugar content to get a draw off. I boiled down the last sap, let the fire go out, and drained later and finished on stove. On a bigger rig, you can push the sweet out with water, but with such a small one, its easiest to finish it later on the stove or turkey fryer.
this will be my last year using the half pint so i look forward to getting the new 2x6.

[DonMcJr]

What temp am I ok to draw off all the almost syrup so my pan doesn't scortch? I have the preheater full of water just incase...

[DonMcJr]

Ok got it all off the evaporator and in the turkey pot with no incident! Water in the evaporator to boil and clean!

Life is good!

[DonMcJr]

Well its taking longer cause I didn't have enough sap to finish on the evaporator...11 1/2 hours and the end is in sight! Very happy with my new toy and I cannot wait til next year!

Here's the syrup boiling down...

5685

[Z/MAN]

Better scrub that pot before the wife sees it!:o

[DonMcJr]

Better scrub that pot before the wife sees it!

It's MY Pot...for Syrup!

Here's the Pics from my good Camera...

Starting to boil on my New Leader Half Pint Evaporator...

http://www.michiganoutdoorsman.com/MOPhoto/albums/userpics/10005/normal_start.jpg

The Temperature and boiling...

http://www.michiganoutdoorsman.com/MOPhoto/albums/userpics/10005/normal_temp.jpg


Made 88 oz's Batch 4 Probally the last of 2012...

http://www.michiganoutdoorsman.com/MOPhoto/albums/userpics/10005/normal_bottle1.jpg

This is my new Favorite Picture...

http://www.michiganoutdoorsman.com/MOPhoto/albums/userpics/10005/normal_bottle2.jpg

[GramaCindy]

First of all Don, DO YOU EVER SLEEP?? The batch looks wonderful. So glad that you got to see how different it was boiling on an evaporator. No unknowns for you until next year. Lucky Duck!

[driske]

Love those pics Don,
Great job for a rookie! That filter kettle looks a lot like the one I started my boiling career on.... 54 years ago.
Nice setup.... a new Maple star has been born.:)

[DonMcJr]

Thanks! I work nights so I never sleep I just nap for a few hours at a time...LOL!

Now I'm done for a year... You think if it gets real cold the buds will fall off and start over and give us more Sap?:lol:

[Z/MAN]

Don, Great job. Enjoy that syrup. You worked really hard for it. Now start looking at how many more trees you will tap next year.

[Sundown]

Don: You'll like the Half Pint. I have been using one for 3 years and found it to be a nice little rig.I tap about 75 trees a year and am able to keep up most of the time. If I push it I can evaporate about 8 gal/hour. I have found it best to run 3/4 of an inch in the pan. Keep a steady fire and set the inflow to keep the 3/4" and you will find it works great.