Sap hydrometer

[SapSuckers]

Just looking to clear up some things i have been reading------

So if i get a sap hydrometer and test my raw sap, I will test it similar to how i test syrup off of the evaporator. I will get a reading somewhere from 1-4 roughly. 2% means it will take approx 40 to 1 to make syrup. 1 % 80 to 1. 3% 20 to 1,, etc.

I did i get that correct? I do not currently have a sap hydrometer but this info prior to boiling would be very helpful. If this the case i will certaily be buying one soon.

Thanks for the info

[H. Walker]

Take the sugar content and divide it into 86, that will give you the ratio to make the syrup.
2% sugar 86/2 =43 it'll take 43 gal. sap for 1 gal. syrup
3% " 86/3= 28.7 .......... 28.7:1

[ebourassa]

h.walker is right go with the rule of 86. If you buy a sap hydrometer buy the long stem one, they are easier to read and much more accurate, i bought the short one the first time and you really couldnt tell the difference between 1.5 and 2% because the no. are so close together.
good luck

[danno]

Or a refractometer will do the same thing for you and is easy to read and carry around the woods. Plenty avaialble on ebay for $30-$40, that's where I bought mine and it works great. But you want to make sure you buy one that has good readings for reading sap.

To others, does he want the one that reads juice and honey with the 0-32 reading, or is there a better one? I know I got the one that makes reading sap easy, but can't remember if it is that one or is there one that reads 0-8?

I was reading 2% sugar during last run, have not yet check the run that finally started this afternoon. Has been pouring since.

[3% Solution]

SuperSappy,
As H.Walker said, divide 86 by your % = # of gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.
Check his math again.
Your 3% would be more like 28.6 to make a gallon.
You'll get it and you'll have fun with it.
As Ebourassa said get the long stem hydrometer, you can read that sucker!

Dave

[H. Walker]

I rounded off my number for 3% sap. The actual # of gal. of sap at 3% sugar is 28.66666666666... !!

[HanginAround]

The math looked good to me :)