Newbie with Sap questions

[Jmsmithy]

:)

Hello all

I'm new to sugaring, been making small batches last few seasons at my place in the Adirondacks. I'm looking to get started in small commercial batch making and have enough questions that I'm to sure where to begin but here's one:

How long is sap "good" for? When it comes out of the tree, how long can it be stored before you must begin boiling?

[unimog406]

Maple sap will keep for about 4-5 days maximum as long as its kept cold. After that it will start to get cloudy, which is ok but you will produce a much darker syrup usually grade a dark or most likely grade b. If the sap starts to become stringey looking meaning, it begins to break down I would just throw it away since the syrup will be terrible. Toby

9500 trees
3x12ft leader evaporator
RO unit
3500 gallon stainless tank
All done for charity

[wiam]

It will make the best syrup if it is boiled the same day or sooner.

[red maples]

Agreed ....you wanna boil it ASAP. Yes the sap will last a few days if kept cold but the quality of the syrup goes down. In order for it to keep the container must be VERY clean as well. I don't like sap to be sitting for more than 48 hrs. I personally boil in less than 36. I also like to rinse my tanks every day or every other day. I am an early morning boiler myself I can't do nights. So what ever I collect the day before I start boiling usually at 4am the next day but thats just me. SO then I guess thats sap thats been around for less than 24 hrs. depending on weather and sap flows.

[Jmsmithy]

Do you clean your storage tanks with just water? If not, what do you recommend? Do you use stainless or plastic containers ?

Also, I apologize to the moderators and community members. I'm new here and seem to be posting questions as they jump into this pea brain of mine and where I see somewhat like-subjects...

Is there a particular spot for new folks? I did see the area for new members to navigate the site, I mean an area specific to questions re: the sugaring life??

On that note, can you point me in the direction of a good place to start, from the "roots up" so to speak, to really have things explained in detail? I've gone into a myriad of sites and have purchased the hardcover Maple Producers Guide (?) from, I believe, Ohio U....

[lpakiz]

JMSmithyr
I used to wash the bulk tank with detergent and rise with disinfectant. Every once in a while I had an off-taste in the syrup. I now wash with sap and rinse with sap. Problem solved.

[wiam]

I wash my main holding tank and concentrate tank every time they are empty (every night). I use a pressure washer with permeate( water would work).

[Cake O' Maple]

Is there a particular spot for new folks? I did see the area for new members to navigate the site, I mean an area specific to questions re: the sugaring life??

On that note, can you point me in the direction of a good place to start, from the "roots up" so to speak, to really have things explained in detail? I've gone into a myriad of sites and have purchased the hardcover Maple Producers Guide (?) from, I believe, Ohio U....

You'll be reading for hours, as I did when I started a couple years ago, but you can either start by using the "search" feature, to read about something in particular, or just go to the forums and begin reading the posts. I learned a TON, including what I didn't need to know about yet so I could skip.

Enjoy!

[Jmsmithy]

That's what I figured Beth! I've made some great syrup (so I'm told :cool: ) just from some trees around my camp...I'm planning on bigger tapping this year and marked about 25-30 trees late fall...

I've got a LOT of research / reading I know. I'll be going to a Maple School in my area of the Adirondacks (actually just outside the park) next weekend. Run by the Cornell Co-op at the American Maple Museum...looking forward to it ! :D