Cleaning 3/16 Lines Prior to season

[turnerburner]

I know this has probably been covered before but I’ll ask the question again. I did not clean my lines after last season and am wondering what the best way to go about it is prior to tapping this year. Should I focus on sanitizing the drops and then let the first run go to the ground? What should I use to sanitize the drops? Thanks!

[maple flats]

How many taps are you talking?

[turnerburner]

Small hobby setup. Somewhere between 50-60 taps. I'm contemplating changing out all the drops but if I could avoid that it would be nice. Thanks.

[maple flats]

At the very least change the taps. Cleaning the drops helps get more sap too, look for the thread on sanitizing the lines. It addresses 3/16 but pertains to 3/16 and 5/16. The lateral does not make that much difference, but when you clean the drops be sure to rinse well, that will then flow down thru the laterals too. Make sure all cleaning agent is rinsed out.

[canaanmaple]

does anyone rinse *brand new* 3/16 lines at all? or dump a little bit of the first run?

[SeanD]

No, brand new does not need to be rinsed. Occasionally, sap in new lines can pick up a plastic smell that can last multiple runs. When it happened to me once, the Dr. said it was typical and it boils off without any harmful trace. Besides, rinsing once wouldn't clear it out if you get it.