Sap sacks and ice

[lawrence d]

First year for me and sap sacks this has probably been answered
But I am hoping someone can tell me how to deal with frozen sap in a sack
Long time maple enthusiast I have used buckets for fourty years but this year decided to try some PVC adapters and sacks
Thanks Lawrence

[lyford]

I wait for it to melt

[jmayerl]

Best option is to empty in the evening before a freeze. I always leave 2" to hold down if windy

[5 Oaks]

I am 100% rookie, but here is what i do, go ahead and start laughing now. When i go to collect sap, if the bag is frozen, i take a rubber hammer and LIGHTLY smack the bag. The ice forms in a ball, from the outside in, so breaking the ice lets what sap i have in bag to be drained. I then try to break up the remaining ice and dump it on the ground. Some days i tend to smack the bag a little on the "heavy" side. But its no big deal, i have a spare holder and bag in my back pocket. If i put a hole in one bag I replace it right then. I will then throw the bad bag and holder into my truck, and I replace the bag later.

Some days i will go to check my bags, all of them are filled to the top, but see one bag only half way filled. That there bag is one i put a hole in and never saw it. I make about 3 bags a year junk. But i feel it saves me more time than waiting for them to thaw. I also have about 300 more bags at home in stock.

[scottdevine]

My second year, and I moved to sacs this year as well (from buckets and gravity lines). I was aware of the ice factor, but didn't pay much mind to it, until it happened. Like others I would try to break up the ice gently. Then I just replaced the bags with spares I had made and let the ice bags thaw. I'm glad I made the move as checking levels visually has been a time savor for me. I have 67 taps and have lost about 6-8 bags from leaks? IDK why bark, squirrels? Regardless, I'll use them again next year.


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[adk1]

Usually squirrels will put a few nips in the bottom of the bag. Sometimes the wind will cause the bag to move around and bark can cause a leak. If u are having a constant leaks on the bottom of the bag from squirrels use some duct tape on the bottom of the bag the entire width folded in half along the seam before you install the bag on the holder