Low % sugar

[sugar daddy 1]

We pulled 375 gallons of sap from one of our woods yesterday. Only 1.75% sugar. Also hearing other producers in our area with low sugar. We need this warm weather to get things moving. With a cool down late next week, is setting up to be a good season. Last year we made almost as much syrup in April,as We did in March.

So stay calm sapers, get some rest, you're going to need it.

[Waynehere]

Same thing here in WNY. 230 Gal of sap at only 1%. :cry:

[Joe Meyer]

Please excuse the noob question. What's normal?

[Run Forest Run!]

Please excuse the noob question. What's normal?

Hi Joe. "Normal" sugar content is a factor of many variables, not the least of which is the type of tree you are tapping. I don't know what levels producers in your area might expect to see on an average year, but in my case I'm tapping a combination of sugars and softs and would likely average close to 2.8%. What I've collected so far averages 1.5%. That means instead of boiling 31 gallons of sap to get one gallon of syrup, I'd have to boil 57 gallons. That's a huge difference.

[Joe Meyer]

Thanks! I've averaged about 45 gallons sap to 1 gallon syrup. Obviously there is a test that can be preformed on the sap though. Do you use a hydrometer?

[Run Forest Run!]

Joe, I use a refractometer like this one;

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Plastic-Brix-Refractometer-0-10-Sugar-cutting-liquid-Maple-Sap-P-RHB-10ATC-NEW-/301329033525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46289c2935

It's a very inexpensive tool and one that I really enjoy using. It's worth its weight in gold as it helps you to decide what sap to use first (or not at all). And, if you've got limited time, wood or propane it will help you to get the most of your sugaring.

[maple creek]

I don't think they start pumping till the ground is saturated with runoff and all the frost is out. The low sugar content is just the moisture from the tree thawing out.

[vinkandy]

The refractometer is a fantastic tool. My first day was about 1.25% (Mon 3/9) and today (3/12) was 1.75%.

[sugar daddy 1]

We prefer a sap hydrometer .

[Hannah]

Did our first collection of the season today, about 38 gallons for 20 taps. Bad news, only 1.75 Brix on the Hydrometer. Looking forward to boiling it down this weekend:D

[TimBausack]

I boiled down about 20 gallons and got 2.5 quarts of syrup in Michigan last week. Taps have stalled with the recent heat wave but things get back to optimal tonight for the rest of the week it appears.

Tim

[sugar daddy 1]

Received some 3% sap yesterday. Trees are waking up

[GratiotCoMiMaple]

Good to hear....last weekend I had 1.5% at one woodlot with lots of Sugar Maples and 2.0% in the woodlot with all Reds.

[Flatlader]

2.8% here on my first boil. Maples are just now starting to produce like they should. Black Walnut trees still not moving much.

[Lethalbowman]

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I purchased this Refractometer this week ($24.99 on Amazon) and after calibrating it, did a check of the sap that I have on hand and was quite pleased to see the results. My sap for 1st batch of the year was probably only 1%! I am looking forward to seeing how much more finished syrup I will end up with from the same amount of sap.

[Run Forest Run!]

Welcome to the world of refractometers. You'll be sugaring with a different mindset now! Right now I'm highgrading the sap I have on hand to make sure I boil it in order of importance. Have fun. :)

[DonMcJr]

Last weekend my sap was 2.25% and today it was 2.5%...hoping what I collected today is more than 3%!

[Paint River Yooper]

Is there anything special to look for in the refractometer? Many on Amazon are for beer making or jam/jelly if they are calibrated for sugar in the correct Brix range will they work correctly? Thanks,

Were frozen back up here in the UP, 24 degrees right now, no sap for 2 days.

[Run Forest Run!]

Look for a refractometer like the one shown by Lethalbowman a few posts up. The brix scale tops out at 10 making it much more relevant and useful for those of us wanting to test sap. They are available on ebay for under $30.

[delstele]

I boiled 22 gals of sap over the week-end got little over a 1\2 gal of syrup...

[adk1]

I just use a sap hydrometer

[Lethalbowman]

Made a trip out to my sugar bush at 0 dark 30 before work today and gathered 20 gallons of sap from the 1st 25 of my 50 bag holders. A quick check after re-calibrating my Refractometer showed that I am still getting 2.5% even though I believe the season is winding down. I plan to do a final boil this week. I have my 55 gal drum packed in snow in the shade to keep the sap nice and cold. I plan to collect from the other 25 taps tonight.