Super Sapper
04-15-2012, 06:59 AM
My name is Bob and I think that I am a mapleholic. I put out 10 taps this spring and made about 5 pints of probably near syrup on an open fire. Since then I have put quite a few hours into this site and it has me hooked. Where I am at now is planning on about 100 to 120 taps (was only planning on about 60 a short time ago). As far as trees go I have 6 at home ane the mother-in-law has 10 that are over 36 inch in diameter and will probably taken down after she passes for development of the area after she passes. (she is 86). Nine are in a straight line of about 160 feet. I may look into a barrel in the middle and tube to it from each side but do not know if there will be enough pitch to come into the top of the barrel. A friend has some farm land about a mile down the road with a small wood on it and fenceline trees. There are maples and a ton of boxelder if I need more volume. Across the road is woods with maple trees and the two house are for sale. One has been for sale for 2 years now and they used to do maple syrup so I wll try to get those trees. There are trees spread out around my area so I can look into more if I need to.
I have plans for a 2 X 6 evaporator and am looking for more bed frame angle and have a friend that is going to get me some appliance skins to sheet it. A contractor we work with will weld up some pans for the price of the metal. He wants to use 16 guage and I am pushing for 18 or 20. I was just going to go with a flat pan for the flue but he is going to try to so something to flue it instead of dividers. He is not set up for real thin metal but they do awesome work on their stainless projects.
As far as storage, I just picked up two 275 gallon food grade totes and have access to 55 gallons drums and will look into getting more pails and also will make some bag holders to try them in sheltered areas. I will mount some storage on the four wheeler and get a bildge pump to help transfer. I have an electric "pressure cooker" from work and will get a stock pot to make a double boiler for canning.
As far as wood, I am collecting pallets from work and my boss has some cut boxelder I can have. I will look at other possiblities as they come up. I have looked at bottles and costs of bottling. My problem is that I first wonder where I will get enough sap, then when I figure that out I need to collect and store it and then be able to evaporate it. As I get each figured out, I end up back at where can I get enough sap. It is only April and I have not made the evaporator yet so if I keep going like this I will need a bigger evap. by spring and haven't even started yet.
I have preheater ideas and will build the evap. with AOF and AUF capabilities but do not know if I will use them yet. I have no shack so it will be outside this coming year and hopefully I can build one in the near future. I will also put a system on the evap. it use wheels to move it out of the garage and back in during the off season.
I just want all of you to know that I hold you responsible for my addiction!
I have plans for a 2 X 6 evaporator and am looking for more bed frame angle and have a friend that is going to get me some appliance skins to sheet it. A contractor we work with will weld up some pans for the price of the metal. He wants to use 16 guage and I am pushing for 18 or 20. I was just going to go with a flat pan for the flue but he is going to try to so something to flue it instead of dividers. He is not set up for real thin metal but they do awesome work on their stainless projects.
As far as storage, I just picked up two 275 gallon food grade totes and have access to 55 gallons drums and will look into getting more pails and also will make some bag holders to try them in sheltered areas. I will mount some storage on the four wheeler and get a bildge pump to help transfer. I have an electric "pressure cooker" from work and will get a stock pot to make a double boiler for canning.
As far as wood, I am collecting pallets from work and my boss has some cut boxelder I can have. I will look at other possiblities as they come up. I have looked at bottles and costs of bottling. My problem is that I first wonder where I will get enough sap, then when I figure that out I need to collect and store it and then be able to evaporate it. As I get each figured out, I end up back at where can I get enough sap. It is only April and I have not made the evaporator yet so if I keep going like this I will need a bigger evap. by spring and haven't even started yet.
I have preheater ideas and will build the evap. with AOF and AUF capabilities but do not know if I will use them yet. I have no shack so it will be outside this coming year and hopefully I can build one in the near future. I will also put a system on the evap. it use wheels to move it out of the garage and back in during the off season.
I just want all of you to know that I hold you responsible for my addiction!