RO Question

[netsplitter]

This is the first year I will be using RO to cut down on my boiling.

I am a small scale hobbyist (50-60taps 3/16th gravity).

Say I RO my sap from 2% to 6-8% - can I store this concentrated sap in a fridge or freezer for 3-4 days prior to boiling? Last year, I would store my sap in a freezer, and when I planned to boil, I would set it out the day before to let it thaw out a bit.

I have a lot more taps this year, and there is no way I can store over 30 gallons of sap in my freezer, so ideally I would "like" to RO my sap as it comes to reduce the amount of storage I need for it (until I boil).

Is this a bad idea?

[n8hutch]

It will work, I would suggest the freezer or set your fridge very cold, I'm guessing that you will be using a micro RO, and your probably going to be warming your sap up some as you process it so your going to want to get it cold asap. You might expect to make darker syrup too.

[Msboucha]

I have a lot more taps this year, and there is no way I can store over 30 gallons of sap in my freezer, so ideally I would "like" to RO my sap as it comes to reduce the amount of storage I need for it (until I boil).

Is this a bad idea?

You should be okay to keep it cold for a few days. I RO during the week into a large extreme cooler that I throw frozen jugs of ice into, and boil that once I have about 30 gallons of 10% or so. The RO process does warm the sap a little bit, but I try to have it hit the ice jug as soon as it exits the RO and it seems to work fine.

[maple flats]

That will work. Proctor Maple Research center concentrates to 35% and then stores it at about 24-25 degrees for a day or 2, they still make mostly Golden. (it formed slush at 23 if I recall). At 6-8% I'd try to just cool it to 34, it will freeze solid in the upper 20's. If you choose, freezing it will then likely need a day to thaw, either will preserve the concentrate at 6-8%.

[VT_K9]

We have kept RO'd sap for one overnight to get a head start on the next day. If you have a way to keep it in the low 30s you should be good to go, but don't let it stay warm for long.

Mike

[netsplitter]

@Everyone - thank you very much, I was hoping this was the case. My plan will be to store this in the freezer (probably looking at 6-8% concentrate).

I purchased the RB10 RO bucket.

Thanks again!