first run big problem

[rayi]

I had a list of things to do and my son came by and helped when I was at work. One of the things was to take a poly tank down to the trees. He did that and put the main lines in which is not what I would have done. Someone forgot to tell the trees to make sap above 32. Any way two days at 25 then back to 10 below. Went down to check things out and I have a 100 gallon tank with 75 gallons of solid ice. It's in the basement now about 40 degrees. How long will it take to thaw and will the tank be ruined. I know that the sap will not be good but I need the tank this year

[jmayerl]

Why would the sap be bad?

[Russell Lampron]

There's no reason that the tank would be ruined. The sap should still be good too. I have a poly tank in the woods right now that has a 175 gallon block of ice in it. That block of ice will turn back into sap once it starts running again and the releaser dumps a few times. It has happened before and will again.

[lpakiz]

I, too, think your sap will be fine. When the ice is about gone, drain it out while cold and keep it cold. Wash the tank just for good measure and replace it in the woods. A mild verbal reprimand to the offenders and all is well.

[wnybassman]

The frozen sap will keep the fresh sap nice and cool. Plus with the greenhouse effect of the poly tank it shouldn't take long to thaw anyway.

[Bruce L]

It will cut down on your holding capacity, but on the upside will keep your sap cool and clear on the days /nights that it gets too warm.

[maple flats]

I have about 350 gal sap sickle in one tank. When it thaws, it will still make good syrup. Don't even reprimand him. Thank him.

[Shawn]

I have two fifty gallons tanks out in the woods that are almost full and then it froze. Left it, not worried about it will drain it off when it warms up and boil it, it will be fine.

[rayi]

Looks like I better get it out of the basement and let it thaw on its own

[DaveB]

Yeah, frozen sap is not a problem. It will thaw.

My question is, how did you get the tank out of the woods and into your basement? :o That sounded like a project!

[Ittiz]

That's my sentiments. I calculated when my 55 gallon drum is full it'll weight some where around 500 pounds, that's a lot of weight to life up and haul out of the woods. 75 gallons would be impossible without a forklift.

[TerryEspo]

Curious here too how it got into the basement.

[rayi]

It's a walk in with french doors. I have a utility lift on the back of my tractor. The doors open wide enough to back right in

[Sugarmaker]

One of the hazards of making syrup is a hard freeze up after tapping. I have 35 sapsicles out there from 3 gallons to 15 gallons in size, in our collection containers. This ice will float to the top and can be removed, if we every get another run:)
Biggest concern is that a valve or restricted area like a pipe freezes and breaks!
Regards,
Chris