How Long

[Loopitch]

So, I've been boiling every day from one tree that has three taps. First batch of sap was a bit less than two gallons and I boiled it to 220 based on the boiling temp of water. Essentially my syrup was such a tiny quantity it foamed up the minute it hit temp and it could SEE it was syrup. That yielded me a jelly jar full of delightfully different silver maple syrup. Thin but viscous. So, I did the next days sap and had more this time. I was lazy and didn't check my boiling temp of water that day. I went up to around 220 again and it wa thin and didn't seem to sheet quite as well as I'd liked. According to the thermometer it should have been stereo but in the jarnit just wasn't giving me the viscosity I thought it should have. Next day, I boiled again and when that batch came to near syrup temp I added the previous days "syrup" and boiled that batch to around 222 and boy it made a lovely viscous syrup. Soooooo, today I got four half pint jelly jars of syrup. Boiled to 222 and canned it. It's thin but I know it syrup based on the pan and the sheeting and all the other signs. My question is about tiny batches and how long can I cook it, or do we just remove as soon as it reaches temp? Can I control color this way? I've been able to do this all on the stove in my house....

[Austin351]

I don't boil tiny batches anymore but when I did, I looked at the temp, sheeting, and the tiny bubble foaming (candy boil) to "guess" when it was ready.... If you're happy with it, go for it!

I would suggest boiling larger batches and then you have enough to test with a hydrometer.

[Loopitch]

I'm worried about holding sap and as it is it's taking most of my day. It's so warm now again, I'm not sure where I'd store larger batches. It's one tree in my yard....I guess it's more a guessing game at these quantities, then...

[Run Forest Run!]

Loopitch, what you'd do is boil down the sap that you get every couple of days and when it's boiled down to about 1/4 of its original volume, shut down the stove and then store that super-concentrated sap in the fridge. Even better, store it in the freezer. When you get three or four or five of those mini-boils done you can put all of those frozen sugar blocks in a pot and make one single batch from it. You'll find it much easier to work with. Welcome the forum!

[Loopitch]

Aaahh! Now that is something that I could potentially make work. I'll be curious to see how the quality changes. It's been super fun and interesting. Totally manageable for the three of us. Silver maple is a different tasting syrup, but delicious.

Thanks for the welcome! I love reading all the information and everyone's experience and expertise

[Run Forest Run!]

I think you'll find this to be a more workable solution. You are less likely to burn the batch as it approaches the syrup stage and you'll be very happy with the results. Plus, you'll lose less to the pot!

[ArcadeMaple]

Loopitch, what you'd do is boil down the sap that you get every couple of days and when it's boiled down to about 1/4 of its original volume, shut down the stove and then store that super-concentrated sap in the fridge. Even better, store it in the freezer. When you get three or four or five of those mini-boils done you can put all of those frozen sugar blocks in a pot and make one single batch from it. You'll find it much easier to work with. Welcome the forum!

I will say that I too do the exact same thing. It is so nice finishing 40 gallons boiled down than just a few.