mold in my plastic collection buckets

[ScottyWelden]

I tapped early (Jan 15th?). which may be a factor...now I have a little but of reddish mold forming in some of my (30) buckets. I have no time to bleach them! Should I be concerned?

[KevinS]

bleach them.
not to be a smart aleck but if you have no time to bleach them, when did you plan on cooking the sap?

[ScottyWelden]

I collect daily and boil every weekend

[wnybassman]

Bleach them while your boiling.

[ScottyWelden]

you're right, I suppose...I'm holding out, though, for one person to write, "Don't sweat it! Won't bother anything!"

[wnybassman]

you're right, I suppose...I'm holding out, though, for one person to write, "Don't sweat it! Won't bother anything!"

I could write that for you, but wouldn't know if it were true or not. lol

All seriousness aside, I have had both green and red mold spots in 5 gallon buckets and just rinsed them out with water to get me through the rest of the season. I would think hours of boiling would take care of anything that got into the sap.

[Mini_Maple_Men]

I had mold spots in my collecting jugs last year and found an off taste in my syrup after they showed up! Quick bleach wash and a good rinse and spots were gone and so was funny taste. Was bummed I had to pitch 5 quarts of pretty syrup with a funky taste

[MISugarDaddy]

Have your wash water as hot as possible with the bleach and the spots will come off a lot easier and quicker.
Gary