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lafite
03-04-2013, 05:51 PM
Collected a bit yesterday and a whole bunch today. tomorrow looks to be great as well!

Hope everyone is hanging in there!

Starting Small
03-04-2013, 06:12 PM
I noticed the same here. I was getting nervous last week when the nighttime temps were not getting below freezing. Things look good now though. How is that hybrid pan working out for you?
-Dave

lafite
03-04-2013, 06:25 PM
working well. I should be adding the floatbox tomorrow but even with my "keen eye" it had it pumping out 21 gph on Sunday. small wood and constant firing. I'm trying to work on getting better/longer draws. one of the problems is the draw compartment loses 3/4 of an inch due to the placement of the flues which are flush with the back of the pan.

CTfarm
03-04-2013, 06:32 PM
It's been a good week here in Durham. Some trees seem to be in constant flow. Although the sugar is running at 1.5 to 1.75.

lafite
03-04-2013, 06:52 PM
I'll have to check my sugar in the morning. I knew it dropped last week but was hoping for at least 2 after the hard freeze. 31.9 degrees now with wind which should subside tomorrow.

lafite
03-04-2013, 07:30 PM
I had to check. I re-calibrated the refrac and tested... and it's a hair above 2.

lafite
03-05-2013, 04:03 PM
boiled 60 gallons this morning but I collected 70....sometimes I wish mother nature offered her blessings so my weekend help would be around....

Tom59
03-05-2013, 04:37 PM
Collected 23 gallons today off of 12 taps. Looks like im gonna be swamped again this weekend

Wallopt
03-05-2013, 05:10 PM
Collected 25 gallons this evening everything was overflowing, Jim

killingworthmaple
03-06-2013, 05:47 PM
72357226Wow what a run I just collected 425 gallons in the last 48 hours. I collected yesterday afternoon and the buckets were overflowing this morning. The sad part of today is the daffodils are starting to stick out there heads and a saw a flock of geese heading north this morning. Warmer weather is coming and the season will soon be a memory. Although its gonna be a happy memory.

hodorskib
03-06-2013, 07:57 PM
I collected 200 gallons off 75 taps in the past 2 days. I have to agree with the warm temps coming all my sap bags were loaded with sugar moths which usually means the end is in sight. I am a little over half way to where I want to be so I am hoping the flow continues through next week. Let's hope for some cold weather after this weekends warm temps.

G0J0
03-06-2013, 08:35 PM
likewise. best day i've had since taping 11 days ago. i'm approaching more sap than i can handle weekend-warrior style on my pint sized operation. boiling on sat.

CTfarm
03-07-2013, 04:07 PM
Boiled for 6 hours today on my 2x3 flat pan. Went through 50 gallons. 55 more to go.

Tom59
03-07-2013, 07:12 PM
GOJO, I am in the same boat, the weekend warrior one!!!. Collected another 20 gallons today. Hope the sugar content is up there. Good luck everyone. Will let you know how I made out after the busy weekend.

PS. Anyone know where i can get some small sampler bottles locally? Like 8 oz or so. I know tractor supply sells the 12 oz. ones, am looking for just a tad smaller.
Thanks Tom

lafite
03-07-2013, 08:22 PM
I boiled everything I had until 9pm last night. nothing today but hopefully this weekend will bring some good tidings..

I've passed the 13 gallon mark for the first time. I know there is 2 gallons of sweet in the pan. let the good times roll!!!

G0J0
03-07-2013, 08:54 PM
When i say pint sized, i mean it. One large tree with two taps. Collected 19 gallons from the last 10 days. Did my first boil on the stove in the house tonight, one gallon of sap into about 1/3 cup syrup. It was fun. Sat will be a long one with my back yard block arch.

lafite
03-07-2013, 09:01 PM
gojo..that's how we all started! my first taste from my trees (which wasn't produced by me) was all I needed. I'm glad you are enjoying the efforts you are putting into this. Pride goes a long way...:D

valleyman
03-08-2013, 11:05 AM
Uh Oh GOJO,

Have you scoped out where your sugarhouse will go yet? You're done for. Being bitten that **** sugar bug and all. Welcome to the insanity. (And I'm only a smalltime producer for now.)

Best of luck.
Greg

G0J0
03-08-2013, 01:43 PM
ha ha ha. thanks. my wife thinks i'm a little nuts. my 2 year old knows we're 'sappin' tomorrow. "daddy's gonna boil, boil, boil" she says. yes, i'm done for. best of luck to you too.

lafite
03-08-2013, 06:02 PM
looks like things are winding down in our part of the state. moths are showing up in jugs....peepers soon to follow. hopefully a run or 2 left over the next couple of days. I'll have to empty out my pan to batch the rest on propane.

overall, the season was a personal best. many modifications to do during the off season.

killingworthmaple
03-08-2013, 07:17 PM
Ya I am thinking it's coming to an end. Looks like we will have a couple more runs this week at least. I am looking to sell my 2x5 and upgrade to a 2x6 if anyone local is looking for an evaporator.

Nathan
860-604-8115

CTfarm
03-08-2013, 07:24 PM
This is my last boil this season. I have to go to Texas next week for work, so I think I'll pull my taps. It's been a great ride this year. Many plans for next year.

markct
03-08-2013, 07:57 PM
killingworthmaple, go with a 2x8 rather than 2x6 they arnt that much more money and the longer flue pan helps alot with gph and not alot more wood consumption if any

CTfarm
03-09-2013, 05:22 AM
Killingworthmaple I may have an interest in your evap. PM me some info on it. It would be great to see it in action.

killingworthmaple
03-09-2013, 05:52 AM
I haven't thought about a 2x8 i'll have to think about that one. May not fit to well in my sugar shack..... I know that would be a good reason to exspand the shack. CTFARM call me to see it boil. 860-604-8115

Nathan

lisound
03-09-2013, 12:50 PM
Birch trees buds swelled up today...and a few other trees. not sure on ID.
Sap is running out of the taps like a faucet today...should be real good tomorrow too and then, I think we're done.
Next week looks to be real warm, and that should bud the trees.
I was just getting going. ha

Adammp1
03-09-2013, 03:14 PM
Until today sap was running at 2-2.25. Today it dropped to 1.5-1.75. Anyone else notice a drop?

CTfarm
03-09-2013, 03:48 PM
Mine was around 1.5 today here in Durham.

Agent914
03-09-2013, 05:22 PM
I got the same sugar content here in Middlebury... no moths as of yet... so I hope the season last a littel while longer

girmann
03-10-2013, 06:44 AM
That's exactly how I started!!! Two taps - Up to seven this year - and now I need a different setup because of so much sap.

The people here are not kidding about the sugar bug! But I can stop any time I want...

Wait... If CTFarm is going to a larger evaporator, that means there might be a 2x3 up for sale locally... <big grin>




When i say pint sized, i mean it. One large tree with two taps. Collected 19 gallons from the last 10 days. Did my first boil on the stove in the house tonight, one gallon of sap into about 1/3 cup syrup. It was fun. Sat will be a long one with my back yard block arch.

Starting Small
03-10-2013, 08:40 AM
In case CTfarm does not end up selling his evaporator, or if there are multiple people looking for a 2X3, I will be selling my 2X3 Mason at the end of this season as well. Give CTfarm the business first, he is a good guy. I do not want to step on anyone's toes, this is just in case he decides not to sell or if others are interested. Thanks,
-Dave