How long can I keep sap?

[DMF]

At this stage of the game, we boil outside under our front deck. It's a southern exposure so if there is some sun (likely) and not much wind (it's usually windy) it's not too bad to boil when it's cold out. Because my wife and I both work, weekends are our only option to boil. The problem is, we've gotten some good sap flowing days but the weekends have been frigid. This weekend is no exception, Saturday has a high of 19 with a low of 4 and Sunday is a little better with a high of 25 and a low of 8.

I have about 55 gallons in my IBC tote that is on the north side of the house, and out of any sun that we gravity feed from via a tube that runs around the house to the evaporator warming pan in the front of the house (quite the redneck set-up, I know...). We had another 36 or so gallons in barrels out in the sugar bush that after today's run will probably need to be collected. There is still a lot of ice in the barrels as well, but it has melted somewhat this week.

Long range forecast shows next weekend's temps to be better, but how long can I keep sap as long as I keep it cold? Last year (our first year) we had about 100 gallons in drums we kept on the cement floor in the back of our barn that we kept for 3 (I think, 2 at least) weeks before we boiled it and it seemed fine. My brother-in-law told me yesterday that he thought it could only keep for 6 days?

Thanks for the help!

[DrTimPerkins]

It depends upon the temperature. Think of sap like milk. If it is cold enough so milk would be fine outside (refrigerator temps or lower), then it should be fine. If it is warm enough so you wouldn't drink milk that had sat outside in those temperatures for several days, then it would likely sour or go ropey.

[DMF]

It depends upon the temperature. Think of sap like milk. If it is cold enough so milk would be fine outside (refrigerator temps or lower), then it should be fine. If it is warm enough so you wouldn't drink milk that had sat outside in those temperatures for several days, then it would likely sour or go ropey.

Doc - Thanks for the response! So in theory, if it was kept cool enough, it would stay ok how long...? In definitely? Thinking in terms of milk, even milk in the fridge goes bad after a while.

Rich