Amount of sap needed to fire up evaporator

[Jal-Bear]

This is my first year boiling on a 2x5 raised flue (only have done a test boil with water) and I currently have about only 50 gallons of sap that I have collected the past few days. Things have be really slow sap wise. I know I don't have enough to make syrup or even establish a gradient but was wondering should I flood the rig and fire it up to boil what I have? Just don't what little of sap I have go to waste. Thanks.

[Big_Eddy]

I'd keep it on ice until I had 150 to 200 gallons. Less chance of spoiling.

[Russell Lampron]

I would fill the evaporator and boil for as long as I could. It will kill the bacteria in the sap and you will be that much closer to making syrup when you have sap again.

[PerryW]

I agree w/ russel. Should be enough sap to fill the 2x5 to it's operating level (1 inch above the raised flue and 2 inches in the front pan) and still have sap left over to boil for an hour or so. I got 200 gallons today and was able to run my 3x10 for 2 hours till I ran out of sap.

[Jal-Bear]

Thanks guys. I went ahead and flooded it and was able to boil for about an hour and a half untill I ran out of sap. I didn't push it too hard with it being the first time I boil on it with sap and not having too much of it. Looking at this weekend and next weeks forecast we should hopefully start getting some good runs. Can't wait!

[Atgreene]

You can always chance it through with some water if you have the right pan set-up.

[maple flats]

I always try to have 3 hrs. worth of boiling before I first start. After that I'll do 2 hrs worth, but far prefer 5-6 hrs worth. When the sap comes good enough to boil longer, you seem to get better syrup.