Keeping Sap Cool

[vinkandy]

So I only boil once/week because of a full time job Monday - Friday. Next week is going to be a great run in lower Michigan, however it may be too warm to store sap until next Saturday.

I have a creek in my woods that will be running very cold. I'm looking for any thoughts or feedback on keeping my sap cool. I was thinking about taking my 275 gallon tote and submerging it into the creek and using creek water as a refrigerant.

Thoughts, ideas?

Thanks,
Andy

[mudr]

If you can move it full and it does not get washed away it wouldn't hurt. I freeze sap in roughly 3 gallon Tupperware mixing bowls, 2 at a time. Dump those two into my storage tanks. It's done a decent job, though I've never had a warmup like what they are calling for in my 1.5 years of sapping.

[Snappyssweets]

sounds like an idea vinkandy.

I would rock it in though so it can not erode. Remember with the warm up is going to be a fast melt. This is going to flood the creeks streams and such. So it will need to be anchored very well. It will need to be water tight meaning nothing can get into the sap. If the water should go over the top you will want to be sure you keep water out and sap in. Lastly be sure the top of the thing is covered with a white or light color. So if it does not submerge totally under water in the run off melt the sun does not hit anything dark and heat the whole thing up causing it to go bad anyhow.

I think your on the right idea though. As the run off will be cool and will keep it colder.
If you were closer I would offer to help with the boil and such. Good luck.
This next week will be a tough one for a lot of us in the lower.
I forecast little sleep a lot of steam and a few of us becoming grumpy due to lack of sleep. :D

[vinkandy]

Here's what I'm thinking. I have a 25' coil of copper tubing (5/8" diameter). I think I'll pick up a few fittings and make a coil to recess into the 275 gallon tote. I'll put the tote on the bank of the creek and run my pump to recirculate creek water thru the coil and back into the creek. It'd work somewhat like a kegerator, only using the creek as my refrigerator. The creek is all spring fed and runoff, so the water should be below 40F all week.

[littleTapper]

Here's what I'm thinking. I have a 25' coil of copper tubing (5/8" diameter). I think I'll pick up a few fittings and make a coil to recess into the 275 gallon tote. I'll put the tote on the bank of the creek and run my pump to recirculate creek water thru the coil and back into the creek. It'd work somewhat like a kegerator, only using the creek as my refrigerator. The creek is all spring fed and runoff, so the water should be below 40F all week.

Brilliant! I live on a lake...and may have to poach this idea for the future...