Syrup temp

[emq]

Good morning !
Have a question about syrup temp and hydrometer.
Yesterday I finished sap and the hydrometer would not float
In the cup. I have a short cup and short hydrometer.
Hydrometer is a sold by tap my trees and it never really
Worked the way I thought it would. Brought it to VT
Open house last year and the sugar house tested it for me
And it worked but it was in their cup. The temp of
My sap was at between 219-220 with out a hydrometer to test
Is there a length of time to remain at 219
Thanks

[mellondome]

Make sure your hydrometer is clean. (No residual sap/syrup /sugar) and dry. Lower it slowly in the cup.. don't let it drop to the bottom. Have you tested your thermometer? Place it in a vigorously boiling pot of water. My guess is that it is off. Take the measurement of the vigorously boiling water and add 7 for syrup on that day.

[johnpma]

Did you boil a pot of water and test the boiling temp with your sap thermometer first? 219 is only a bench mark. I had to boil to 221 Friday night to get my correct hydrometer reading.......

[SmellsLikeSyrupNH]

I also had to go to 221 on Friday last week in NH.....sometimes you just need to check with the hydrometer and thermometer and see what it takes for the day.

There is a video on FB that shows one of the big sugar houses and they have an automatic draw off and the guy in the video had to adjust his by 1.5 degrees if I remember correctly, I believe the hydrometer is the most accurate way to know, the thermometer just helps you get close.

[emq]

Yes I did boil water first and on a digital thermometer
Was 212.7 so I leaned more toward the 220 and everything cleaned each time
I also pre warmed the cup each time so that the
Syrup wouldn't cool to much. I think I learned a lesson should have two hydrometers
Incase one fails

[mellondome]

Is there elivation difference between where you boiled it in water and where you boil sap? Was it on the same day?

[berkshires]

Stupid question, but if you place the hydrometer in the empty cup, where is the line that says you've reached syrup? Is it above or below the top of your cup?

Gabe

[emq]

It was the same elevation and same day in my sugar house

[mellondome]

If your hydrometer was tested ok and hasn't been dropped or stored on its end. Then trust the hydrometer and adjust your temp accordingly.

[emq]

it is below the top of the cup
It sits on the bottom doesn't begin to rise
I think I better invest in a new cup and hydrometer
Any advice to what is best long or short ?

[Woodsrover]

Murphy Compensation Cup (https://www.smokylakemaple.com/product/murphy-compensation-cup/). I really want to buy one of these.....

[c0ps]

Have you looked into using a hydrotherm? Mine is always dead on!