6% sugar!

[tonka]

Collected the first bit of sap this morning and once I got home with the first load of sap I tested it with my sap hydrometer, it floated to 6, that means 6% sugar correct? I did not take out much ice, maybe a few gallons worth of water out of 65 gallons of sap. On the hydrometer test temp is 38 degrees, now I know the sap is colder then that since there was a little bit of ice in the buckets, how much of a difference is it when testing sap is there when your testing say at 34 degrees to what the recommended test temp at 38 degrees?

[DonMcJr]

It could have been colder than 38 too... less water and more Sugar lowers freezing point.

I'd let the sun warm some to 38 and test it. The ice is water though and it could be 6% until the ice thaws...

Maple Sap hydrometers are generally calibrated for 38 degrees F if you are testing sap that is warmer than 38 degrees F you will need to make the following adjustments to your reading.

32-46°F, no correction needed.
47-56°F, add 0.1 brix to measurement
57-61°F, add 0.2 brix to measurement
62-64°F, add 0.3 brix to measurement
65-68°F, add 0.4 brix to measurement
69-72°F, add 0.5 brix to measurement
73-75°F, add 0.6 brix to measurement

[happy thoughts]

Using Don's correction chart I'd say you're still at 6%. That's awesome! At about 15:! you should have syrup in no time. May the rest of your season be as productive. :)

[325abn]

Take a picture of that.