Back in the game.

[heus]

For those that know me on here, I have changed my mind a hundred times regarding my operation. :lol: I built up to 1000 taps on vac making 300+ gallons a year, to a major downsizing this past season to 250+ taps. I have been through 3 evaporators in 10 seasons, even going from fuel oil back to wood. Went from a 600 D&G RO to a Leader MicRo2. I sold my Smoky Lake 2x8 this past spring, and was planning on just producing sap. Well, after giving it a lot of thought, I couldnt imagine not making syrup. As a result, I just placed an order for an A&A 2x8 raised flue with an airtight front. I had a new 2.5x10 from A&A and made over 1100 gallons on it in 4 seasons. It served me well, so I have no reservations about ordering another one. I still have my Micro2 RO, so will probably tap 250+ again. I turned the major part of my sugarhouse into a cabin, so the rest of it (plus another addition) will become my boiling and kitchen area. Yes, I know I'm crazy.

[BAP]

Heya, you’re not crazy, you are a true blooded sugar maker.

[Sugarmaker]

Jason,
Hard to stop this process! Your doing fine, and learning a bunch along the way. When are you going to come over and motivate me to get going on my evaporator rebuild?? Sugaring season is not that far away! Looking forward to your posts.
Regards,
Chris

[heus]

Chris I know. For years I've been saying I need to come over and check your place out.

[heus]

This is my new downsized setup in the lean-to portion of my former sugarhouse. It's about a 16x16 size area. 2x7 raised flue A&A evaporator with forced air.

[heus]

My only problem is no floor drains. This is going to be my solution I guess (a mop).

[Sugarmaker]

Jason,
It looks like a very nice set up! We are snowed in!
Your place looks inviting for family and friends to set and visit as you make syrup too.
Regards,
Chris

[Ed R]

Looks nice and homey Jason, it would be cool to crash in the sugarhouse, I've never done it. The back tank storage area of our sugarhouse used to be sleeping quarters but now there wouldn't be enough room for even a cot. Have fun this year!

[heus]

Jason,
It looks like a very nice set up! We are snowed in!
Your place looks inviting for family and friends to set and visit as you make syrup too.
Regards,
Chris
Chris, yes that will be nice. The "former" sugarhouse part of the cabin has two futons and other seating areas. Nice to hang out by the woodstove.

Ed, the area where my evaporator now sits used to be an overhang where I had my 1600 and 500 gal sap tanks.

[heus]

My filtering set up for this season.
No idea how to turn this image.

[johnallin]

Jason, looks great. Is that a Leader finishing tank next to the CDL filter? Am considering going that route this year as we're going to north of 300 taps this year..

[heus]

John I forget where it is from. Smoky Lake, I think. It's just a simple finisher not water jacketed or anything. I will pour syrup from the evaporator a little heavy into the finisher, then at end of night thin it down to the correct brix, mix in DE then run through the vacuum filter. I will bottle directly out of the vacuum filter bringing it to the correct temperature with the burner it sits on. That's my plan, anyway.

[johnallin]

I;m thinking of filtering then packing syrup in 3-5 gal containers and sending to the bottler on days I'm not boiling...to darn much work to be bottling from midnight to the early morning hours.

I was able to save your new filter pic setup, rotate and re-paste here

20860

[heus]

Thanks John.