70.2 brix

[1hardmaple]

Not sure if 70 brix is to high but thats what I ended with..anyone know if it will crystalize or not, hydrometer was at 67 when I took it of hot then used digital refractometer when cold its at 70. Did I just blow 80 gallons of sap?? Thanks

[Super Sapper]

It will crystallize if you leave it but you can dilute it down with sap or water.

[motowbrowne]

You certainly didn't "blow 80 gallons of sap". Worst case scenario you'll get some rock candy at the bottom of your jars.

[brookledge]

It is very common practice to adjust the density before canning. Obviosly it is easier to lower the density by just adding water. It is much easier to accoplish this with warm syrup since it is less viscousus. If you do it cold the water doesnt blend as well with the syrup. Make sure you stir well so as to make sure it is well blended and keep checking. There are charts that I have seen just don't remember where they are at the moment that will tell you based on the amount of syrup and the density, exactly how much water to add
Keith

[1hardmaple]

Thanks all!!

[WI Sugarpop]

I was told that a refractometer is not accurate on unfiltered syrup. Not sure if that's true or not.

[liljohn]

Where can I find one of those charts?

[Russell Lampron]

I would trust the hydrometer and compare the reading that you get with a chart that tells what the density should be at the temp that you are testing at. I got one of my charts from The Maple Guys when I bought my Accu-cup and another from the NH Maple Producers Association.

[PerryW]

There are charts that I have seen just don't remember where they are at the moment that will tell you based on the amount of syrup and the density, exactly how much water to add
Keith

First, find out how many tenths of a point (Baume) your syrup is heavy.

then add 3/5 ounce of water for every tenth of a point high for each gallon of syrup. (make sure to correct for temperature)


for example; if you are reheating a 5 gallon batch of syrup and you measure a temp of 140 deg, then standard syrup should be 34.0 Baume.

If you measure a density of 34.7 Baume with your hydrometer, then you are 7 tenths too heavy. so your formula is:

(3/5) x 7 x 5 = 21 ; so you add 21 ounces of water to your 5 gallon batch.

[liljohn]

Thanks PerryW...

[Super Sapper]

http://www.sugarbush.info/forums/boiling-testing-filtering-bottling/1313-hydrometer-chart.html