bagpiper
04-02-2017, 06:08 PM
I boiled my last batch this afternoon. I dumped 8 gals. of sweet out of my flue pan into my old flat pan and in 30 minutes, had 2 gals. of syrup; a fine end to a great season. This was my 1st season experimenting with vacuum. I put 85 taps (all Reds) on 2,500 ft. of 5/16 and hooked them up to a Lunch Box. That little pump pulled an amazing amount sap out of those those reds. I didn't keep a tally, but I'm guessing at least 15 gals./tap which is about 3X what I got on buckets the previous 2 seasons. Another great addition was a 2X4 Smoky Lake drop flue pan. After tweeking my tankenstein and adding AU, I got my boil rate up to a steady 20 gals/hr.
If any reader is setting up a small vacuum system using 5/16 and a Lunch Box, I'd be happy to send pics and talk about what worked for me.
For those still in it, enjoy the rest of the season.
If any reader is setting up a small vacuum system using 5/16 and a Lunch Box, I'd be happy to send pics and talk about what worked for me.
For those still in it, enjoy the rest of the season.