RO syrup vs none RO syrup

[tonka]

For those running RO's, I have costumers who like the dark robust flavored syrup, can you get the robust syrup running the sap through a RO machine?

[Urban Sugarmaker]

This was my first year with RO and yes you can get dark robust with RO. When I first started thinking about getting RO I thought that I would automatically get light syrup due to shorter cooking time. Not so. I think it has more to do with your sap. Also, concentrated sap spoils much faster. So, if you have your concentrate sitting around for a few hours waiting to be boiled, you could end up with darker syrup than you might have had otherwise. In the UVM study on this, they mention that the RO syrup can be slightly darker compared to a batch boiled raw from same lot of sap. You can read the study click here (http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/Effects%20of%20RO%20on%20syrup%20-%20van%20den%20Berg%202015.pdf)

[wiam]

I have made over 425 gallons this year. All Dark Robust. I concentrate to 16-18%. Driving me nuts. Tonight it got really close to Amber but not quite.

[madmapler]

Aside from the first 6 barrels or so, mines been all dark too. Almost went back to medium at one point but not quite. I'm good with it though. It tastes great and it seems to be the preferred grade these days.

[Russell Lampron]

I have made over 425 gallons this year. All Dark Robust. I concentrate to 16-18%. Driving me nuts. Tonight it got really close to Amber but not quite.

I used to have the same problem concentrating to 16-18%. If you look at the sap in your flue pan you will probably find that it is almost the color of syrup. I built a bubbler for my evaporator and now have a hard time making dark syrup. You can read the thread of my bubbler build here. http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?20529-Bubblemaster-1.0!

I can still make dark syrup but it is very rare. I made my first dark syrup in 2 season last Sunday. It went back up to amber and then back to dark this week.

[GeneralStark]

I have generally been concentrating this year to 14-16% and have made all grades except very dark. Actually I made some very dark ropey last night. Trying to figure that one out still. :confused:

Anyway. Ro can slightly affect syrup color and the impact varies depending upon the level you concentrate to. Other factors in your collection system tend to have more significant impacts on syrup grade however.

Wiam and Sean - Are you guys using poly tanks to hold sap at any point in your collection system?

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

For those running RO's, I have costumers who like the dark robust flavored syrup, can you get the robust syrup running the sap through a RO machine?

MOst Definitely!! concentrate to 10% almost all the time

[madmapler]

I have generally been concentrating this year to 14-16% and have made all grades except very dark. Actually I made some very dark ropey last night. Trying to figure that one out still. :confused:

Anyway. Ro can slightly affect syrup color and the impact varies depending upon the level you concentrate to. Other factors in your collection system tend to have more significant impacts on syrup grade however.

Wiam and Sean - Are you guys using poly tanks to hold sap at any point in your collection system?

My collection tanks and sap truck are poly. Why do you ask?

[GeneralStark]

My collection tanks and sap truck are poly. Why do you ask?

Because they are difficult to keep clean especially during a warmer season like this, and they allow the sap to get warmer. Slime builds up and more microbial activity leads to darker syrup. When people want to make more light syrup, typically one of the first things suggested to change is going to SS tanks. Sure they cost lots more, but have many advantages.

If you are happy making mostly dark syrup then no worries.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

poly tanks act as green houses and just let the bacteria go rampant, i feel they ok for transporting but to have as tanks in a field or storage not good.

[madmapler]

Because they are difficult to keep clean especially during a warmer season like this, and they allow the sap to get warmer. Slime builds up and more microbial activity leads to darker syrup. When people want to make more light syrup, typically one of the first things suggested to change is going to SS tanks. Sure they cost lots more, but have many advantages.

If you are happy making mostly dark syrup then no worries.

I know what you're saying. It's a PITA trying to keep them clean. Do your stainless collection tanks ever get any kind of film? I've wondered if putting them under shelter would help? The sunlight must be the main factor. Stainless tanks just aren't in the budget for the next year or so.

[adk1]

I am switching out my 275 gallon poly cage tanks with a 400 gallon ss tank next year. Also hope to go to an ro and will get a smaller concentrate tank for that.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I wash out all my stainless woods tanks with clean water in the field and scrub all over inside with long handled brush and rinse them every week. The ones in the sugarhouse are all stainless and get washed every day. I use plastic leg tanks to haul in sap with but they get washed every couple of days. That is only plastic tanks I use. Don't use plastic unless you have to. Only takes less than 5 mins per tank to wash out woods tanks. All of this takes little extra time but makes big difference.

[GeneralStark]

I know what you're saying. It's a PITA trying to keep them clean. Do your stainless collection tanks ever get any kind of film? I've wondered if putting them under shelter would help? The sunlight must be the main factor. Stainless tanks just aren't in the budget for the next year or so.

Stainless will develop a bioslime film but it is generally very easy to remove by hosing down and a quick brush. I find just pressure washing with a hose does the trick most of the time. When I did not have water at my tanks I would use sap to clean the tanks. Sacrificing a few releaser dumps was worth it IMO.

I suspect that putting poly tanks in a shelter would help prevent the greenhouse effect, but they will always be a PITA to clean.

[bees1st]

So on the poly barrel " greenhouse effect " , my thought was that a colored barrel would heat the sap more as it would absorb heat ? Thoughts anyone ?

[West Sumner Sugar]

So on the poly barrel " greenhouse effect " , my thought was that a colored barrel would heat the sap more as it would absorb heat ? Thoughts anyone ?

It could be but I have a white barrel and a blue one at the same place and the white barrel sap is almost never 100% crystal clear where the blue barrel is always perfectly clear. The only difference I can see is the white barrel tubing has more sun exposure and he sap is warming up in the tubing before making it to the barrel