Anyone tapping in PA yet?

[brswiech]

I was wondering if anyone has tapped yet. The weather seems perfect but I wasn’t sure if the sap is running since it never really got cold for any length of time.

[DRoseum]

I am east of Pittsburgh and haven't tapped yet. But weather is messing with me. Some of the forecasts arent even showing enough freezing at night out thru mid Jan. Hoping things shape up for a good season but this mild weather has me concerned for an early/quick spring and short season.

[fred]

too early in the year still. pays to wait

[Sugarmaker]

No, friends dont let friends tap early!:)
Regards,
Chris

[brswiech]

Thanks. I’m relatively new to this and was doubting myself, especially after I seen people on a maple syrup Facebook group already getting sap.

[Skeller001]

Haven't started yet. In SE PA we haven't had many straight days under freezing. This is only my 2nd year, so what do I know...LOL

I did just finish a 55gal drum stove that will hold 2 large pans on top of it. Looking forward to trying that. Last year it was the turkey fryer and propane.

[HowardR]

I have to admit that I am responsible for the warm weather. I have been building a maple syrup kitchen and have been appreciating the warm weather which lets me work outside without freezing my fingers. I should be done by Thursday, after which, according to the long term forecast, winter is scheduled to begin!

[Sugarmaker]

Ok guys and girls we have Howard to blame! Someone should step up each year and be the person we can blame. Huummmmm, I will think about it for next year. Remind me if I forget.
Regards,
Chris

[Skeller001]

It looks to me like we May have a good stretch of weather beginning Thursday. Anyone have any plans?

[Sugarmaker]

I hope we get a week or two of cold weather to be ready for a mid Feb start of season. Keep watching the forecast if you can put together 4 or 5 days of freeze thaw temps then you might make a pile of early syrup. May be froze up for 2 weeks after that too.
Just never know. At some point you just have to go with what you feel like, and what mother nature is going to give you for good sap days.
Keep boiling!
Regards,
Chris

[220 maple]

This past Saturday when I went to get spiles in Somerset County, I stopped at the Sugar Camp on Tub Mill Road, have a 30 sec. video of the sap rolling in, all 15000 taps are in and off of Thursday nights hard freeze he had got one gallon of sap per tap after the trees thawed Friday Afternoon until Saturday mourning, I stopped in around 4 pm over 24 hours after the thaw and they was still running pretty hard I forgot to ask the key question, Sugar Content?

Mark 220 Maple

[Sugarmaker]

Weather in NW is very much like sap weather! 46 today. Still much to do as the getting ready part is as much work as the making it part. Will try to hold till mid Feb. We shall see.
I know my apple trees look to have small buds started.
Regards,
Chris

[DRoseum]

Anyone in southwest PA thinking about tapping later this week (thursday perhaps)? Extended forecast outside Pittsburgh looks promising. I am debating tapping then or holding off a little longer. Who knows what Feb will bring.

[sbedilion]

It looks tempting. Last year I tapped Feb. 3rd and it worked out perfect. I was hoping we would get a big freeze in January but that doesn't seem to be happening. I might tap Friday....otherwise it will have to wait a couple weeks due to family plans.

[DRoseum]

Yep I tapped on feb 3rd last year too and it was perfect. I will wait and see how things look on weds/thursday and make a decision.

[iby]

here in north western PA... next week is looking awfully tempting, but I'm no way near ready... re-plumbing everything, adding 2 new 4x40 membranes, just finished stringing 600' of wire for a new mainline yesterday...
I might have to burn some vacation time at work this week to get things ready just in case...

[Skeller001]

please help a 2nd year guy out...

Starting Sunday here in SE PA the high temps are going to be in the low to mid 40's with lows in the mid 20's to 31 for 11 days. Well that is if you believe the weather man. Are those low temperatures low enough?

[Sugarmaker]

Skeller,
The temps in the forecasts can fool you. But your doing a good job watching the weather. In your zone I would think your about on target.
The forecast has a temp of 40 but the low is 25. Ok my thing is how long is the 40 degrees for during the day? If it only last for 20 minutes you just dont get much of a run. If it lasts 8-10 hours now you have a decent sap run.
I did get the sugarhouse cleaned out and should be ready to hang tubing next week.
Regards,
Chris

[Skeller001]

Well I did it... I put out my 13 taps this afternoon. Time will tell.

The forecast has 13 out of 14 days coming up being under freezing at night and many to the low 40's during the day.

[sbedilion]

Well I did it... I put out my 13 taps this afternoon. Time will tell.

The forecast has 13 out of 14 days coming up being under freezing at night and many to the low 40's during the day.

Ended up not tapping. Family stuff all day every day. Hopefully Friday. Keep us posted on how things run this week.

[Skeller001]

slow..... about a gallon total for the day. Many of the buckets were dry. The weather man played a trick on me and it stayed above freezing last night.

[Sugarmaker]

We (in NWPA) are still in the get ready mode. Loaded the truck with 1/3 of the tubing and invited my fried Gerry to help string it.
https://i.imgur.com/eiIpqh5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FDQ1kEs.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OLPGEmY.jpg

I am tring to unravel the rats nest of tubing on a typical set of short run 5/16. About 18 taps.
https://i.imgur.com/MEm54Xy.jpg

He doesn't do Christmas lights either!

Will put up some more of the lines on Thursday. I think we are going to have a slight warm up then a arctic blast in a week.
Regards,
Chris

[iby]

I hope you're correct with the arctic blast.... this weather this year is crazy...

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Well I need to get off the couch and do something maple related. I think I will go string some tubing. We are bound to have a season at some point. Weather looks like it will warm by this weekend, and maybe stay warm for several days next week. Not sure of the cold blast but if we do tap its sure to happen!:)
Regards,
Chris

[DRoseum]

Southwestern PA - Who is pulling the trigger thursday or friday and tapping? Who is waiting until the warm spell passes early next week?

[HowardR]

I'm planning to tap from Wednesday though Friday next week. As warm as this winter has been, I'm afraid I'd miss the season altogether if I waited too much longer.

On another note, I recommend that everybody spray down their woods clothes beforehand with Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ANQVYU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image). The ticks will be bad after such a mild winter and Sawyer repellent really works.

[DRoseum]

I couldn't agree more on all your points and suggestions! The permethrin really works incredibly well.


I'm planning to tap from Wednesday though Friday this week. As warm as this winter has been, I'm afraid I'd miss the season altogether if I waited too much longer.

On another note, I recommend that everybody spray down the woods clothes beforehand with Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ANQVYU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image). The ticks will be bad after such a mild winter and Sawyer repellent really works.

[sbedilion]

50 out of 75 taps set today. Things started to flow nicely around 1. I will finish tomorrow morning. I’d like to get another line up but I am not sure if its worth it. Right now I have 1 collection point. A new line would mean tapping another set of woods and doubling my collection efforts.

Good luck everyone.

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
I was able to get all my containers (30 ish) out except one. Which needs a new home. That's enough moves for one day.

https://i.imgur.com/YsmYBNC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dIfCbtN.jpg

The weather just is not shaping up to show more than 3 days in the 40's, early next week. (These could be those days where it gets to 40 for 10 minutes and then drops back off. I think we are going to wait for the cold blast and tap the next time it gets warm.
Regards,
Chris

[Skeller001]

After a very slow start the trees I have tapped started to pick up a bit. I guess with this upcoming warm spell that will go back down. The last 2 days I have got about 3-4 gallons per day from my 13 trees. I will collect again today and boil tomorrow. Right now I only have about 2-3 gallons of 8% to boil off. Who knows what the future weeks will produce.

7-8 gallons collected on the 1st.

[HowardR]

My dog Stella is helping me fix my main lines today in preparation for tapping later this week. Here are two photos of the new ratchet I put into the wire where it had broken. The second photo is simply a closeup of the ratchet that is hard to see in the first photo.

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[Alleghenysyrup]

I got 24 on 3/16 tubing and 5 on buckets. I put the buckets up around the second week of january and have gotten around 20 goals from them. Boiled that today and got my first 2 quarts of syrup. Just got the tubing up and finished this morning. Was running really good this afternoon once things thawed out. Hope I'm not too earlie on the tubing!

[Sugarmaker]

Some folks in the Edinboro area had tapped last Sat and hit two really good runs. Syrup was very light. I tapped my 600 on Monday and collected 840 gallons of 2.1% sap today. First boil in the morning. I am whipped!:)
Regards,
Chris

[sbedilion]

Very nice @sugarmaker ! I just checked my tank...tapped this wkend roughly 80 taps...only 80 gallons sitting in the tank. It’s been too warm and my lines are barely moving now. Things should reset tonight and the 10 day looks promising.

[DRoseum]

Tapped some of my trees tonight. Will do the rest in the next day or two. Hoping the forecast is wrong and we get some more freezing temps at night and still have a good season.

[iby]

I tapped about 30 trees today to get things started. High for the day was only 33. By the time I got to my last tree, the sap had already caught up to me and was flowing like crazy. Now I’m pumped and ready to get boiling!!!

[Skeller001]

Still warm here in SE PA. The buckets have been empty since Sunday. For my first boil I ended up with 24.5 gallons of sap, RO down to 7 gallons, and boiled off to 2.5 pints of syrup. So if my math is right that is at 78.5 gallons of sap per gallon of maple syrup.

[HowardR]

With the help of a friend, I tapped all my trees yesterday and today. The sap is running!

[Sugarmaker]

Well here comes the cold for maybe a week or more? We will see if we get any runs for a while. Keeping busy with maple products. Hope folks down south get some sap.
It will warm again someday!:)
Keep boiling!
https://i.imgur.com/FP2GJbS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jUX8llI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/skSVTi7.jpg
Regards,
Chris

[HowardR]

I woke up this morning to 4" of snow on the ground, now up to 7", the first real snow this winter! I don't know if it is true, but I've always thought that that maple sap runs best when there is snow on the ground.

I'm glad I tapped *before* today. I can remember a season, about 7 years ago, when I had to take a shovel with me, when I was tapping, to dig up the tubes from from under fallen branches covered with over a foot of snow.

And the forecast calls for lows below freezing almost every night for the foreseeable future and highs between 33 and 43. The holes that I just drilled won't seal themselves with that sort of refrigeration. I like the way this maple syrup season is starting.

[Sugarmaker]

Howard, Folks,
You know, now that you mentioned it. Several years ago we tapped the roadside trees and walked/plodded on about two feet of snow. Took 3 days to tap.Had to dig out a location for each container to get them down near the ground, so that when it did thaw the containers were stable.
When we went to pull the taps they were as expected, two feet higher than normal! So last Monday when I tapped it was so nice out! I even surprised myself getting the 600 taps in at a rate of about 100 per hour. As you say they are in! We will wait for the next runs now and not have to worry about when to tap. Its done!
Regards,
Chris

[Skeller001]

Well here comes the cold for maybe a week or more? We will see if we get any runs for a while. Keeping busy with maple products. Hope folks down south get some sap.
It will warm again someday!:)
Keep boiling!
https://i.imgur.com/FP2GJbS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jUX8llI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/skSVTi7.jpg
Regards,
Chris

WOW... That is all I can say....

[Springfield Acer]

Last weekend, we were not quite ready and I was willing to be patient while nice days went by. The plan was to tap tomorrow but at 3:00 this afternoon the weather forecast here was just on the edge of making me want to jump in so we went on hold for another week. At 7:00 tonight the weather forecast showed the highs another degree higher and I saw that Sugarmaker was tapped 40 miles north of me. So I called the guys and we are tapping tomorrow. I did get the opportunity to go over to Pulaski tonight and see a friend boil on my old rig. Great memories! It's a rare thing to get to sit around someone else's shack since when one is boiling, all are boiling. Here's to great runs and high percentages!:D

[Sugarmaker]

Skeller,
Thanks I think!:)
Just they way we roll in our little operation.

Springfield Acer,
Might not be good to follow my lead. Looks like I didn't time it very well.

Folks,
I was able to participate in the tapping of a new sugarbush coming on line down the road a piece from me. Helped the Ellis family get started with 6 buckets, 4 lids and 6 spiles.

https://i.imgur.com/xysg46j.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/n5so2XT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uFfwG81.jpg

It was good!
Regards,
Chris

[iby]

Yea, I had the same reaction when I saw the pictures. WOW. You have a really nice setup Chris.

We trotted through the snow today and put in a couple hundred taps. Hundred or so left to go. Hoping we get some slow runs tomorrow to flush out the lines so we can start collecting Monday.

[Sugarmaker]

iby,
Thanks! We try. It sound like your just about ready! We have the sugarhouse inspection set for Monday morning. Hoping to get one run this next week? Accuweather is showing a good warming trend the following week We shall see.
Lots of very nice sugarhouses around here. Come up and visit us on the 16th annual Maple Taste and Tour weekend, March 14th and 15th. (10 to 4). 19 Sugarhouses will open up for the public to learn about making maple syrup. Check our association web site www.pamaple.org
Regards,
Chris

[helptheold]

Skeller,
Thanks I think!:)
Just they way we roll in our little operation.

Springfield Acer,
Might not be good to follow my lead. Looks like I didn't time it very well.

Folks,
I was able to participate in the tapping of a new sugarbush coming on line down the road a piece from me. Helped the Ellis family get started with 6 buckets, 4 lids and 6 spiles.

https://i.imgur.com/xysg46j.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/n5so2XT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uFfwG81.jpg

It was good!
Regards,
Chris

That is so cute!

[helptheold]

I'm just south of Pittsburgh & planning on tapping this week, was out of the country last week or I would have done it then. And get my husband to set up my RO machine!

[HowardR]

Big run today - it's 42 right now - and the run will keep going all night as it is not going to freeze tonight. This season is starting off with quite a bang!

[sbedilion]

Today was good! Did my first collection tonight...225gallon @ just over 2%! My trees are usually way under 2%. Running it through the RO now. I doubt I will boil until Wednesday tho...to busy.

Funny/not funny story. I built a friend an evaporator and 2x3 flat pan. It’s his 2nd year and he was itching to expand. I was driving I79south from work to deliver everything to my buddy and lost the pan somewhere!!! I drove all the way back to work and retraced my route. Nothing! Hopefully the car behind me didnt hit it. Luckily the pan didnt cost me anything and our laser department has 2 more pans already cut. Everyone in our shop wants to make syrup now. haha.


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[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Sounds like the folks in the southern portion of PA west are getting going. I am going to help friend Keith tap the rest of his bush. Scott has sap to boil today. Jim is getting things ready. Gary has probably tapped his 2000 reds.
I picked up another 530 gallons of 2.4% sap. Found I had broken wires and dead short in my remote pump system. A 30A fuse and some good 3M elec tape got me going but it took about 2 hours to trouble shoot the problem. Just years of wear and tear.
Boiled in the sap and made 15 gallons of Golden Delicate (Hana checker was 77).
https://i.imgur.com/H5eCS3A.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uPgMmUA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SrXy0Ir.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XRCEKYJ.jpg

Were getting there.
May warm and run a little today? Is 31 right now.
Broke the top off my SL gold hydrometer last night. Never broke one before?? Ordered two of those today.
Regards,
Chris

[Skeller001]

Over the last 2 days my trees have produced a total of 3 gallons of sap. In SE PA we haven't been below freezing for a few days now. supposed to get colder late this week but not till then...UGH hope it gets colder soon so they start producing again

[Sugarmaker]

Steve, Folks,
Cold last night good freeze here this morning! So we have reset the sap flow systems. It may warm up today but then cold again Friday in the teens. Gathered 540 gallons of 2% yesterday and made very light Golden delicate last night which brings us up to 35 gallons. Not a lot in the big syrup world. But for us its good and we have not made much GD in the pat few years.
Sap today? Well its going to have to warm up quick!
Here is a picture of My neighbor and good friend Keith. I helped him put in about 350 taps yesterday morning. Keith is 88.
https://i.imgur.com/xdNwB2o.jpg

He and his wife Bonnie stopped by the sugarhouse last night to visit.
https://i.imgur.com/S8Hi9E4.jpg

Also had Jan Woods and Craig Peeper visit and chat about making syrup too.
https://i.imgur.com/mpIhyJu.jpg

The Ellis family stopped by and brought their sap.
Had a good evening making syrup!

Regards,
Chris

[Alleghenysyrup]

Running ok in new pa. Got around 20 gallons today on my 25 tubing trees. That's a total of 108 for the season. Built a new boiler with a continuous flow pan and still learning how to use it. Hopefully gonna boil some more this weekend and finally make some syrup. Anybody have any advise for continuous flow pans?? I have prob put 40 to 50 gallons through it and havent made any syrup yet. I dont know if this is normal or if I just have a really low sugar content

[Z/MAN]

Alleghenysyrup, my 2x3 continuous flow pan usually needs 80-85 gallons or more before the syrup starts to flow. Be patient it will come. When you have reached syrup temperature just crack your valve and let the syrup run verry slowly till the temp starts to fall. Too fast and you will upset the gradient and get very inconsistent draws. Small pans are very tough to get flowing smoothly but with some practice you will get the hang of it.:emb:

[Alleghenysyrup]

It's a 2x3 pan from smokey lake so atleast it not a cheap setup. Hopefully this weekend I will run another 40 gal or so through it.

[Sugarmaker]

Running ok in new pa. Got around 20 gallons today on my 25 tubing trees. That's a total of 108 for the season. Built a new boiler with a continuous flow pan and still learning how to use it. Hopefully gonna boil some more this weekend and finally make some syrup. Anybody have any advise for continuous flow pans?? I have prob put 40 to 50 gallons through it and havent made any syrup yet. I dont know if this is normal or if I just have a really low sugar content

Good to test your sugar content too. But sweetening the pans takes some time. I need about 350 gallons of 2% sap to sweeten the 3 x 10.
Keep boiling!
Regards,
Chris

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Yesterday morning I had a chance to go with neighbor Scott to his new set up sugarbush. A ravine that had been logged but a lot of good sugar maples still there. We had to use a rope to scale down to the tanks. I can only imagin this is a lot like some areas in Vermont. He is setting up his vacuum system on these 350 taps. Getting good qty of sap and above average sugar content.

https://i.imgur.com/yU9jjUh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mVK6nAt.jpg


Also our grandson Mike came over and he helped me gather. We got 425 gallons of sap and only ran 5 gallons on the ground!

https://i.imgur.com/2C4tRMo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/V5eOtk5.jpg

Regards,
Chris

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Started boiling about 6:30 last night
Friends Jim and Gary came by to visit/ work:

https://i.imgur.com/dgGPbD5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/84lUSHV.jpg

About 9:00 it started in a nice gentle sugar snow! Made about 9 gallons of GD syrup.
Will gather today before the real cold weather comes in tonight. Maybe 250 gallons out there??
Regards,
Chris

[Father & Son]

Sugarmaker got a new phone and now no one is safe.

[Plutoman15]

Glad to see some syrup is being made. Here in south central PA I have not tapped. Not sure I am going to this year unless March gets cold. Just not enough freezing nights around here. 2 year ago I made most of my syrup in March so maybe there is still hope.

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Well Jim is right I guess I really should start a picture thread just of my own and not clog up the PA tapping thread? That would be the right thing to do.
https://i.imgur.com/CaBtsyu.jpg

A nice sugar snow last night. Gathered 320 gallons of 2% today.
https://i.imgur.com/tYVVAOp.jpg

Syrup ready to come off the old King:
https://i.imgur.com/TLrxT0L.jpg

Made 7.5 gallons tonight Amber or golden. I like boiling when the weather is cold and snowy. A little colder in the sugarhouse with the arch insulated better.
https://i.imgur.com/szcelnJ.jpg

Regards,
Chris

[sbedilion]

Folks,
Well Jim is right I guess I really should start a picture thread just of my own and not clog up the PA tapping thread? That would be the right thing to do.
https://i.imgur.com/CaBtsyu.jpg

A nice sugar snow last night. Gathered 320 gallons of 2% today.
https://i.imgur.com/tYVVAOp.jpg

Syrup ready to come off the old King:
https://i.imgur.com/TLrxT0L.jpg

Made 7.5 gallons tonight Amber or golden. I like boiling when the weather is cold and snowy. A little colder in the sugarhouse with the arch insulated better.
https://i.imgur.com/szcelnJ.jpg

Regards,
Chris


Keep them coming!!

[HowardR]

I'm appreciating the below freezing weather all day today as it gives me a chance to catch up. The sap has been running ever since I finished tapping 8 days ago.

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Yes the cold weather give us that have tapped a break, and is the start up for several other local sugarmakers to get set for the big runs next week! We will be making maple mustard and maple BBQ today.
check out www.pamaple.org for the NWPA Maple Taste and Tour, one month from today. If your not busy making syrup come visit many nice sugarhouses in this upper corner of the state!
Regards,
Chris

[iby]

This is not my year. First my releaser... turned off pump without releasing vacuum and it sucked the oil out of the pump into the line... so rebuilding all that. Last night I forgot to drain high pressure lines

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[Sugarmaker]

iby,
Yikes! Maybe this is why I am old school???
Keep hitting at it!

We are snowed in with the prettiest fresh spring snow! Still made 100 bottles of sauces.

Maple BBQ:
https://i.imgur.com/Hjh49Nz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sWWTxxd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Z1CX0bz.jpg

and Maple Mustard
https://i.imgur.com/uJK1jyZ.jpg

We make small batches of 18-20 bottles at a time.
This being able to only add 4 pictures is crimping my style.
Regards,
Chris

[Sugarmaker]

So
During the boiling on the stove I take out some syrup at about 230F and stir to cream. This was some I had just made and the finished cream/ fudge was about the same color as the white bowl.
https://i.imgur.com/pSrkoXk.jpg

Trust me it was very good!:)
https://i.imgur.com/GrMeuae.jpg

Looks like we will thaw out Saturday and possibly have runs Sunday, Monday and Tuesday? Get things ready and Keep boiling! This is not a dress rehearsal this is the real thing!

Regards,
Chris

[Alleghenysyrup]

Had -2 up here last night. I'm guessing this is our one and only deep freeze for the year. 36 today 29 tonight mid 40s tomorrow! Looks like tomorrow is gonna be a buisy day

[Sugarmaker]

Was zero here last night. Keeping my fingers crossed everything in the sugarhouse is going to survive. Put a heater inside the arch, one under the sink, and plugged in the heat tape on the water. But just one frozen spot can cause problems at that temp.
Yes some warm weather is coming. Monday we may have a run of sap.
Keep boiling if your not froze up!
Regards,
Chris

[Alleghenysyrup]

I haven't been up to check that shack yet this morning. I put as much as I could in 5 gal buckets thursday so I only have to thaw out 5 gal at a time instead of an entire 55gal drum! My boilers will be froze but they will thaw when I fire them up tomorrow. Sun is out and it's about 30 in the sun so my tubing may thaw out this afternoon

[Gary R]

Sugarmaker, looks like you guys have really been going at it up there. It was great talking to you yesterday.

Here in Venango County the tank has been half full:) We tapped on the 5th, right after that big run. Weatherman has screwed us a lot! We did get 240 gallons sap last Monday and Tuesday. Boiled it and made almost a gallon of some light syrup. I was really trying to get as much as I could out of it and burnt the pan while shutting down. I figured out my problem and hope not to repeat again. It was only about a third of one channel. My wife cleaned it up! We tossed what was in the front pan and drained the flues for this cold spell. Maybe start back up Monday. Better luck that me you all!

[D and D Sugar Camp]

Tapped in last weekend 2-8 . Collected 90 gallons. Have 28 taps on 3/16 gravity. Put in a new 3/16 line yesterday adding 15 taps. Looks like sap should flow good later today and early this week.

[Sugarmaker]

Folks, GaryR,
Recovery is everything! Glad you got that pan back on line! You may be covered up in sap about Tuesday this week.
We are having a warming day coming off the zero temps. I had to get everything thawed out in my un-insulated old sugarhouse. I dont expect much sap today? Should not have to gather. Ok here comes the sun. May have sap tomorrow.
Ready to order new tri clover butterfly valves for the draw off locations on the front pan. As a safety thing and to move closer to the rig, giving some additional room in the sugarhouse. (A few inches). Always worried about a kid pulling the ball valve handle open and filling their boot with hot sap! These have locks and are the 13 position grip type handles. I will try to get some pictures of the before and after set up.
Talked to local sugarmaker that just installed a new Marcland controller for syrup draw off. They had some minor bugs but all set to go now.. They will like that. Its just like having another person in the sugarhouse helping you. One of those I dont know how I lived with out it tools.
Will take the wife out for a nice steak today for putting up with my maple habit!
Report from other sugarmakers is that the sap is just now starting.
Oh yea looking at new trucks. Thinking of going from diesel to gas engine.
Keep boiling.
Regards,
Chris

[HowardR]

Here in Venango County the tank has been half full:) We tapped on the 5th, right after that big run. Weatherman has screwed us a lot! We did get 240 gallons sap last Monday and Tuesday. Boiled it and made almost a gallon of some light syrup. I was really trying to get as much as I could out of it and burnt the pan while shutting down. I figured out my problem and hope not to repeat again. It was only about a third of one channel. My wife cleaned it up! We tossed what was in the front pan and drained the flues for this cold spell. Maybe start back up Monday. Better luck that me you all!

One of my mottoes is "No use crying over spilled sap!" Making mistakes is part of making maple syrup. We need to put together checklists like pilots go through before they take off. Unlike pilots however, our mistakes are not fatal -- they just result in lost syrup and time.

[Sugarmaker]

I agree with Howard. I have a mental checklist for my old tri wing plane (King evaporator) But a new pilot might have trouble getting it off the ground and landing could be a problem too!
My wife says "too many valves"!
Regards,
Chris

[sbedilion]

Cooking day!

20866

Threw the bike and trainer outside...multitasking 2 very time consuming hobbies. The neighbors keep driving by shaking their head. haha.

Should have close to 6 gallons of syrup tonight. Doubt I will finish it tho.

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[sbedilion]

sorry about the sideways pics.

[Alleghenysyrup]

20869
Good day at the shack, once everything thawed out! I was within 4 degrees of making my first syrup with my pan and had to shut down because I was running out of sap!!! I'm sure it will happen next weekend.
I think I am around 80 to 100 gal through it.
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[Alleghenysyrup]

Guess I have a sideways pic problem too

[HowardR]

Big run today and tomorrow. It's going up into the upper 40s today, not going down below freezing tonight, and then again into the upper 40s tomorrow. And then Wednesday through Friday another deep freeze.

That's the pattern so far this season: Short overwhelming runs followed by a cold spell that gives us a chance to catch up.

[sbedilion]

Forecast is looking good for us weekend warriors. It gets hard when I'm forced to collect midweek and boil. I tend to wrap things up early when warm weather starts to make sap management hard.

Put a tent over my driveway setup....made myself a little steam room. haha.

20871

[Sugarmaker]

PA guys are looking good! Steam coming out of pans is a good thing!
I thought we would have a run today. ahhh maybe not? it was 19 this morning and cloudy. wont get thawed till after noon and may not run much? The weather predictions are not much better than looking out the window.
Keep boiling!
Regards,
Chris

[Paddymountain]

Really sunny here in central Pa, looking for some sap
today . Should do better tomorrow . A little bit of bottling to catch up
on today. Evaporator had its 1000 gallon clean up; we are good to go!

[forgeblast]

North east pa, tapped on Saturday. Our bigger producers in the area have already boiled a lot since they are running the vac lines.

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Checked containers, 2 to 4 gallon ice cubes with a little sap. To much work to service them for the little bit of sap gathered. Will see what we have tomorrow. Most folks are tapped and ready to go in our corner of the state.
We rest!
Regards,
Chris

[Alleghenysyrup]

About the same to report from up here. Looked like it was really picking up when I left though. Suppose to be 35 overnight and 44 tomorrow so I would assume it gonna run clear through wed. I did have my line come off of one spile so I decided I better inspect the whole run. Keep in mind this is 1000ft of evelvation on 1000ft of tubing.......yes my friends its hands and knees and a hammer that kinda reminds u of an ice pick to help... oh and under no circumstances do you ever let go of your tool bucket, if u slip grab the puppy and bear hug it till you stop (or hit a tree) whatever comes first. Spent an hour collecting tools and tubing fittings scattered throughout the woods when I was hooking trees in :)

[Pdiamond]

been there done that, then I got smart and finally built a shack around where I had my first evaporator set up.

[HowardR]

Big run today and tomorrow. It's going up into the upper 40s today, not going down below freezing tonight, and then again into the upper 40s tomorrow. And then Wednesday through Friday another deep freeze.

That's the pattern so far this season: Short overwhelming runs followed by a cold spell that gives us a chance to catch up.

Well, I was wrong about there being a big run today. I forgot how long it takes maple trees to wake up after very cold weather when there is no snow on the ground and clouds hiding the sun.

[Gary R]

Howard, the shut down list may be good. Maybe I won't empty the oh _hit bucket before I'm done:lol:

I'm really crying about the lack of sap! Either the sap ladders are froze or the trees just won't run. Both are happening. This morning I had about 150 gallons in the tank. I'll finally boil again tonight. I gave my 3/16" tubing to my co-worker. He has 42 taps on his bush out side of Titusville. He isn't getting any sap either. Had a neighbor stop by last night. He used turkey fryer last year. This year he bought a Mason 2X3. Running 35 taps. Have a friend stopping by tonight for the boil. He is an occasional backyarder. I think he needs some excitement to get started.

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
https://i.imgur.com/joz4Vhg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UTC068t.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vJOjWDM.jpg

Made 9 gallon of syrup.

Regards,
Chris

[iby]

Like I said previously, this just ain’t my year. Earlier this week my shurflow died. Replaced it with a different pump. Yesterday evening had about 500 gallons of sap. Decided to test the RO for this season on 175 gallons. Ran the RO for 90 minutes and took the 175 gallons to 25 gal of concentrate @10%. Right at the 90 minute mark, the 3/4 hp Procon motor decided to ****. Hopefully it’s just the thermal protection, but I just bought it last year and was able to run it for over 8hrs at a time.

I think it’s time to start making cheese :)

[Sugarmaker]

This trader thing kicks you out after about 3 min of down time very annoying!

After spending a half hour on the phone with the phone company I was ready to pull my hair out! And I dont have much left!

Off to try to do something productive like make syrup. Have 220 gals on sap that had some ice in it. And some new valves to put on the front pan. Maybe pictures?
Regards,
Chris

[HowardR]

Didn't expect any sap today as the high was supposed to be 34. But it got up to 38 with clear skies and the warm sun shining, so the the sap poured in. The sun! I'd almost forgotten what it looked like!

[Pdiamond]

Chris, who are you holding in your arms? That is a great picture.

[Sugarmaker]

P Diamond,
That is our Great Grand Daughter Chloe Lee. She is one and her first time getting a tour of Papa and Nana's sugarhouse. Hoping her and her dad Mike may take up this sugaring thing someday.

The picture with Mike and the trees is at his sugarbush (potential) I walked it with him and I think there are 1000 taps (on small medium and a few large hard maples) the land is running up hill with a gentle slope to a creek coming to the road. We have more to talk about on that possible project! But very interesting if your into syrup. He has the woods we would just need to get at it and set it up if he wants to do some work.

I did get the new valves installed on the old King rig. These were bigger than I expected. But getting used to them. Closer to the rig and much safer on the off side of the rig for visitors. Boiled in the sap and made anothe 7.5 gallons of syrup. We will rest for a day or two.
https://i.imgur.com/oGKgy1J.jpg

on the draw off side:
https://i.imgur.com/ANB0Aqs.jpg

on the other side of the rig:
https://i.imgur.com/1sdohGF.jpg

much more room for our 200 to 300 visitors to safely pass around the arch, during the Up coming Maple Taste and Tour weekend in NW PA. (www.pamaple.org) This allowed me to cap the valve outlet, so even if a kid figured out how to work the grip valve nothing will come out.

the money shot, Albion "ICE" Syrup!: It gets this light when you have ice in the containers almost every day you gather! Just got to 68 gallons of syrup, approaching 50% of a normal crop. Some folks just getting ready to tap this weekend tor the big runs next week!
https://i.imgur.com/mFKGTPt.jpg

Will be talking a lot about Golden Delicate this year on the Maple Tour!

Regards,
Chris

[HowardR]

That photo of Chris holding up his granddaughter is great! Here's two of me today. The first one shows me pressing though the syrup using my Filter Press by Daryl. The saucepan in the foreground has very hot water in it to be thrown into the feeder pot at the end of pressing. Then my wife catches the watered down syrup in the same saucepan for adding to the next batch. The long handled stainless steel spoon in the feeder pot is the one that my wife uses to stir the DE in the feeder pot (when she's not taking my picture):

20918

And the second one shows me posing as if counting the pint jars we canned today - the 6 gallons worth from Monday and Tuesday's run:

20917

[Sugarmaker]

Howard,
You have a very clean operation/ kitchen. Syrup looks very good packed in the glass too.
Thanks for taking the time to post these! Awesome. Hey those presses work nice!
Dang I must be old when the Kids, Grand kids and Great grand kids are all in the sugarhouse with me!:) One of the two great grandsons Rhett is in the picture to.
50 years have flown by!
Regards,
Chris

[sbedilion]

[QUOTE=HowardR;378825] And the second one shows me posing as im counting the pint jars we canned today - the 6 gallons worth from Monday and Tuesday's run:

I like those jars. Can I ask where you got them?

Hopefully I'll be bottling this weekend. I have 10 gallons of almost syrup waiting to be finished and another 200 gallons of 2% sap waiting to be collected. Saturday/Sunday look to be nice days for a good run....good thing I'm off work Friday to get ready.

[HowardR]

sbedilion,

I drive through Lancaster County every June, and when I do I pick up my jars and lids order from Fillmore Container. They are a very nice company to deal with. Here's the web page of the bottles that I buy:

https://www.fillmorecontainer.com/a16-10c-case12ct-12-oz.html

They only cost 50 cents each and the lids are just 9 cents each (in the quantities that I buy). Here's the website for the lids I use:

https://www.fillmorecontainer.com/38400-ct-gold-plastisol.html

Lancaster County is a long way from Pittsburgh, but if you want to drive up to my farm, I could sell you some that I bought last spring, and I'm just 50 minutes NE of Pittsburgh. Come on Sunday when the sap is running, and I'll show you my set up.

Howard

[sbedilion]

Thanks! I have a buddy that lives near Lancaster and regularly drives back to western PA. I'll have him stop....he owes me a favor anyways. ha. I see Fillmore sells those 1.7oz little bottles also at a good price. I've been looking for them to give to friends and coworkers to try.

I'll have to plan a visit after I wrap up my syrup season. I usually wrap up earlier than you guys (too many hobbies to continue very far into March).

[HowardR]

You must be talking about these jars:

https://www.fillmorecontainer.com/r02-18c-case96ct-1-12oz.html

They'd make great wedding favors!

[sbedilion]

yeah....those are them. everywhere i've seen them, they end up costing to much to justify filling them up and giving them away to friends. fillmore prices are pretty good on these.

[Gary R]

We had 300 gallons of sap Wednesday. Boiled it all which sweetened the pans and made a couple gallons syrup. Probably upper end of amber. Had a bunch of company over also. May host a 4H club Sunday. Went and saw the neighbors Mason 2X3 yesterday. It looks nice for the beginner. I gave some advice on bricking and stack. Will be able to see a boil soon. We've been into almonds lately. Made a pound of coated nuts and some almond butter with syrup tonight. We need some warm weather. Looks like the big one coming in a few days! Good luck!

[Alleghenysyrup]

Glad to hear u guys boiling to the south!! Completely froze solid up here. 7 last night 20 today 11 tonight. No warm up till sunday and even then not sure how I'm gonna thaw anything out to get to boiling. Need to get some electric to my shack!!!

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
We are froze up too. And with a cold sugarhouse its time to takes stock and get some rest for the big week long run next week. If you can believe the forecast it may run every day for a week! If that would happen I would be done before the first of March! Well the wood would be gone. We will see. Might be good to go see some other sugarhouses too?
Scott and I helped neighbor Keith get some details wrapped up in the woods and sugarhouse. He and Bonnie made some nice amber syrup and are on their way for the season! Thanks Scott!
We are starting to market Golden Delicate with a spin towards the process and mother nature. Going to be interesting. It has been one of the coldest syrup seasons for start up that I can remember.
Yes we have a cold un-insulated sugarhouse. We have had ICE in the sap containers almost every time we gathered. Many fits and starts. Sap has been excellent as the weather has been cold. Several times we have had ICE in the evaporator pans too! Several times we have had to build a small FIRE in the King arch to keep things from freezing to tight.

If you can figure out the new marketing tool for the GD syrup you win the prize. Here are some clues:
https://i.imgur.com/mBqlArW.jpg

You may start to see a theme here:
https://i.imgur.com/bprIi3W.jpg

Here are the samples from each of the 7 firings where we made 2020 syrup:
https://i.imgur.com/A3lTiLE.jpg

I had friends pick up a 2020 grading kit from WIggers, in Clymer NY, today for me and checked the syrup we have made.
https://i.imgur.com/Wo04ckL.jpg

FYI I have a 2014 kit that was one of the bad ones and it has way to light of Golden Delicate in it. This new one is much better. And our syrup is lighter than the GD in the kit.

Regards,
Chris

[helptheold]

Been tapped in for a few weeks but I've had a sick kid for a lot of that time. Still have managed to gather about 140 gallons from 22 taps so for me I'm doing good. The RO machine my husband built has been so useful!


Thanks! I have a buddy that lives near Lancaster and regularly drives back to western PA. I'll have him stop....he owes me a favor anyways. ha. I see Fillmore sells those 1.7oz little bottles also at a good price. I've been looking for them to give to friends and coworkers to try.

I'll have to plan a visit after I wrap up my syrup season. I usually wrap up earlier than you guys (too many hobbies to continue very far into March).

How are things working out with the new high school behind you? Are you still tapping trees on the property?

[sbedilion]

Been tapped in for a few weeks but I've had a sick kid for a lot of that time. Still have managed to gather about 140 gallons from 22 taps so for me I'm doing good. The RO machine my husband built has been so useful!



How are things working out with the new high school behind you? Are you still tapping trees on the property?

I gave up on the golf course. My inlaws have 100+ acres in lone pine. I have 85 taps that lead to a 275 tank that I usually collect once a week. Roughly 200+ gallons of sap per week @ 2%. I’m wrapping up this wk’s sap now. I havent finished any...but I should be at 10 gallons when I do.

Current view....

2095920959

you should stop by sometime.

[Skeller001]

Well this year hasn't been as good as last year, but I'm still having fun and making syrup. Today I made about 3 pints of syrup taking my total this year up to 5.5 pints. I have had a lot of days where we haven't gone below freezing. My barrel contraption with 2 pans on the top is a lot better than the turkey fryer but I am losing a lot of heat. I need to figure out a way to contain it more before next year.

[Alleghenysyrup]

I had the same problem with my 2x3 cement block arch. It was like the flames and all were going right up the pipe. Couldn't even get my pan to boil!!! I put a cement block right in the center of the thing to just deflect the flames. 100 times better. I also have a barrel stove that I use for a preheated. But instead of pans infuse 2 16quart stock pots the one in the back sits right in front of the chimney exit so the flames have no choice but to wrap right around it to exit. Works very good. Bi also lined ny barrel with bricks to help hold some heat in. I would try to out something In there to deflect the flames up. Even stack some bricks or a 2x4x8 cement block. U will be surprised what little modifications will do to create a big difference. I will take some pics of the inside of mine to show you if u would like

[HowardR]

We're in the midst of a nice run here in the middle of Western PA. After a cold night with a low of 22, the high today was 52. It's now 33 and going down to 30 tonight. Tomorrow will be a high of 47, so the run should continue.

[HowardR]

Correction: This is not just a *nice* run. This is a *huge* run. I built my first RO after a run like this. I had to dump several hundred gallons of sap because it went bad before I could process it.

[sbedilion]

Correction: This is not just a *nice* run. This is a *huge* run. I built my first RO after a run like this. I had to dump several hundred gallons of sap because it went bad before I could process it.

I haven't collected since Friday....now I'm nervous. haha Collecting tonight.

Made 7 gallons of syrup this weekend...along with spilling a full gallon in the driveway (i wanted to cry..ha)

[Gary R]

It's been slow around here. 120 gallons yesterday and 220 today which is a decent run. Things are finally thawing out. Sap is at 1.4% which is good for me. Syrup is probably upper end of dark.

We had a bear in the yard tonight before dark. I ran him off but he'll be back:-|

[Paddymountain]

There was a tsunami in Central Pa today!

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
400gal of sap yesterday, 400 today. Still making GD. At 85 gallons.
Regards,
Chris

[Skeller001]

Allegehenysyrup

thanks! That would be helpful. Right now I have sand in the bottom to raise it up but like your idea of bricks or something in the back to force the flames up. I am moving this spring so I didn't go too crazy. I will try lining it with bricks next year. A solid larger pan would work better as well.

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Average run of 400 gal. made 11.5 gallons of Golden Delicate/ FIRE & ICE syrup. Enough wood to make another 40 gallons and we are done! I can almost see the end. Cold weather coming Thursday. Will gather tomorrow then see what happens next week.
It doesnt take long to cook mellows in the old King arch. Grandson Nic and his boys Cooper and Rhett. I would say maybe 30 seconds!
https://i.imgur.com/QJj2oSn.jpg?1

Hotdogs take only several minute too: Rhett cooking the first ones of the season. I think this may become a tradition!
https://i.imgur.com/nFXpExZ.jpg?1

Neighbors, Ellis's, brought enough sap to make a 1/2 gallon of syrup from their 6 taps. Friend Gary is doing the firing.
https://i.imgur.com/nXwdxwo.jpg?2

Regards,
Chris

[HowardR]

I was able to keep up with Monday's tsunami of sap. I had to keep my ROs and stovetop evaporator running around the clock, but by Tuesday afternoon I was caught up. Hooray!

As a maple syrup producer, I've always struggled with balance. I'd have unused capacity, so I'd tap more trees. Then I'd have more sap than I could process, so I'd build an RO. I've finally found a balance.

[Father & Son]

It's taken me awhile but I finally have my set up together, sugarhouse half rebuilt, oil line plumbed, and test fired last night with water.
A little late as usual for me but now I'll use this cool down coming the next couple of days to tap and be ready for next week.

21054

[Sugarmaker]

Father and Son,
Awesome custom rig you have! Looking forward to spending some quality time in your sugarhouse!
Have to go check for sap today. I have heard there is not much out there. Looks like next big runs will be after this snow storm and cold weekend.
Regards,
Chris

[Gary R]

We had 150 gallons yesterday and boiled it. No freeze for three days. Sap was a little cloudy and down to 1.1%. Syrup all the way down to very dark. Drained entire evaporator this morning for the third time. Everything needs cleaned up and I like to drain for the long big freezes. I should be done the end of next week.

[Sugarmaker]

Gary R,
How come this sounds like the end of season post from you, Dark syrup, Sap cloudy, Sugar down?
Some folks here are now coming on line I think Father and So are tapping soon and neighbor across the woods Bob S may be tapping now.
I am seeing some of the sap get just a little cloudy too. I made Amber class syrup last night for the first time this season. 5 gallons of it. Just went over the 100 gallons of syrup. 96 gallons of the Golden delicate/ FIRE & ICE syrup.
Only had 200 gallons of sap yesterday at 2%.
Had good time teaching Odessa from WJET TV about making syrup and she did a short interview with me that may be aired next week?
Cold and snowy again this morning. waterlines froze in the sugarhouse.
https://i.imgur.com/qQXXOu9.jpg?1

Regards,
Chris

[Gary R]

Sugarmaker, we've almost made enough to make us fat and happy for the year. We'll be done for the season by the end of next week. I've got to work in Erie a couple days next week. Maybe stop in.

We visited Springfield Acer last night. They were boiling the last of the sap from before this freeze. They've made a lot of syrup already this year. It was great to spend a couple hours chatting with a full sugar house. He's got it made, lot's of good help:)

Father and Son, good to heat your ready and good luck!

[Father & Son]

Gary R good to hear you got your numbers early as usual.
After this deep freeze things probably won’t run till Monday.

[Skeller001]

This group has been so helpful. I have another question

I have 13 tapable trees on my property that I tapped last year and this year so far. I have done so with drop lines and 5 gallon buckets. Both years I have had to go bucket hunting after a wind storm. I was wondering how well the buckets that hang on the trees work out in the wind. Are there any other advantages one way or another? There are lots of metal bucket,lid,tap combos on eBay

Suggestions please.

[Father & Son]

They all have disadvantages. A bucket on the ground or on a tree will always be a problem in high winds. A sap bag will rip when it blows around. If your 5 gallon buckets have lids on them try a brick on top.

[Sugarmaker]

Skeller,
In the wind storm last night I thought about all the buckets we chased for years after a storm like that. Leaving some sap in them can help but you have a chance of freezing. Brick on the ground buckets will not hurt.
My gathering tubs may have blown away in the storm too!:)
Regards,
Chris

[HowardR]

I just broke my second maple syrup hydrometer (the one that I use to test if the almost-syrup that I'm heating has become syrup):

1. In the cup? I used to place it in the test cup between tests, but I shattered the first one by dropping it, instead of gently placing it, into the test cup when there wasn't any liquid in the cup.
2. On a plastic mat? Then I started placing both the hydrometer and the test cup next to each other on a ribbed plastic mat, but I shattered the second one when I jarred the mat, and the test cup fell over on the hydrometer.

Now I'm looking for a third way to store the hydrometer between tests. Have any of you worked one out that is clumsiness proof?

[Sugarmaker]

Howard,
Crap happens, I try to be careful too. But for some reason the top 1/2 inch of my hydrometer got broken off? I ordered and new one and a spare. I am really getting to like the SL Murphy cup and gold series hydrometers.
Regards,
Chris

[Alleghenysyrup]

Well my sap buggy went down with a broken axel on monday. My shack is basically atv access only and it took till today to get the new one. It's fixed now and from the looks of things I had a good couple days of sap runs. 55 gal drum was overflowing, second drum was half full, got a good bit of ice on everything but looks like its gonna be a buisy weekend! Things should thaw out sunday and get back to running this week. Hopefully I will get all caught up and ready for the next run

[HowardR]

Now I'm looking for a third way to store the hydrometer between tests. Have any of you worked one out that is clumsiness proof?
I just bought something from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Utensil-Chopsticks-Drainer-Flatware/dp/B076K1D1VQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=304+Stainless+Steel+Utensil+Dr ying+Rack%2FChopsticks%2FSpoon%2FFork%2FKnife+Drai ner+Basket+Flatware+Storage+Drainer+%28Round%29&qid=1582933895&sr=8-1) that might work:

I'll either hang it on the inside of the pot that I'm testing or the inside edge of my sink.

[Note: I started a general thread about this (http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?35322-Looking-for-way-to-store-hydrometer-between-tests-that-is-clumsiness-proof), and the best idea was keeping your hydrometer in a coffee thermos between tests.]

[HowardR]

If the current forecast holds up for my area (in the middle of western PA), this is going to be a big week for maple syrup. We're coming off a three day deep freeze, and the highs all week will be above freezing, mostly 40s or low 50s. And there will be freezes on Wednesday night and Saturday night to keep the sap pumping out.

Since I tapped on February 4 and 5, it's been great maple syrup weather. The temperature has never gotten above 55 degrees, and only three of the highs have been above the 40s. This contrasts with the last several years when a few days of warm weather in the 60s and 70s caused the maple tap holes to heal prematurely, greatly slowing the sap runs. It's been a good maple syrup season, and this could be the best week yet!

[sbedilion]

get ready for the sap tsunami....i hope :)

[Paddymountain]

HowardR:
If your weather forecast holds true, I will be very
happy with the amount of syrup I make!
The buds on the reds aren’t swelling yet.
And almost every warm day here was cloudy.
Two more weeks?

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Been cold but now starting to come out of it. Off to do some syrup things in the sugarhouse and then to wander in a sugarbush down south with Father and Son. We should finish making syrup this week if the weather matches the forecast. Good mild/cool temps coming.
Keep boiling
Regards,
Chris

[Sugarmaker]

The answer is yes some one is tapping in PA and here they are! Father and Son hard at it near Linesville PA.
https://i.imgur.com/wXTSFzc.jpg?2

https://i.imgur.com/hyq7gYN.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/BAYMWUR.jpg?1

I think the term slippery slope was very applicable today too.

My adventure in the sugar house was attempting to make cream. It happened, but I always have issues. Thanks to Daughter Kelly stopping and helping me when I was trying to do seven things at the same time. Maple Cream can sometimes set up real stiff!
https://i.imgur.com/ZqguO1J.jpg

Regards,
Chris

[sbedilion]

Good day for me...I had a lot to finish and catch up on. Made 5.5 gallons. Huge day for me. 9.5 gallons for the season. I went to collect this evening....I was expecting a lot but the trees were just starting to let loose. Only 50 gallons of sap....which was nice for my setup. I flooded the pans with all my sap and loaded up the evaporator w wood and headed inside for the night. Last I checked it should die off nicely and cut everything in half for tomorrow.

[Gary R]

We're finally back at it in Polk. We had 250 ready for us this evening. Have about another hour to go. Sugar content at 1.2%, will make about 3 gallons of dark tonight.

Got to stop into Triple Creek today. They were concentrating sap and just about ready to boil a big sap run. Then I stopped to see Sugarmaker. I always enjoy his wisdom. Got to taste the Fire & Ice! Great stuff! He also had a good sap haul to boil.

[Paddymountain]

Same here GaryR:
Gathered 250 gallons and about an hour to go for me!
Looks like we will get in to next week here in central Pa.
Wood pile is getting smaller, ambition headed in the same direction!

[Springfield Acer]

The end of the cold snap has brought another good sap flow in Mercer but we boiled 200 gal tonight to only make 2 gal of syrup. Before the break, we were 50:1 and making a gallon an hour. Tonight it's half that. I'm hoping it's some frozen stuff hanging around in the lines and tanks and tomorrow will get better but if not, we're close to done as I cannot see burning a cord of wood to make only ten gallons of syrup. I also discovered that my sap hydro is off but in the wrong direction. I checked it in my hydro in condensate expecting it to be 'zero' but it floated right about where it would read -1%. My sap was reading 1.7 and if I adjust, it would be 2.7. Boils more like 0.7.
We were a good two weeks ahead of last years record total and now...... who knows?
I need an RO.....

[Gary R]

Paddymountain, My wife reminded me we stopped by your place 6-7 years ago. Hope things are going well and the end is near for us also!

Springfield Acer, when we were over we heard rumors of a new sugar shack:lol: You've mentioned your dads place. Nice driveway access for all the neighbors sap when you get that RO.

We've got about a half hour to go. It was a BIG sap run. 335 gallons in 24 hours. Only 1.1%. I too get tied of boiling this stuff! I think the rule of 86 is a farce! All that sap and we've made about 3 gallons of syrup. It's dark and very robust, more than I like. I know someone with a lot of GD. Maybe we could blend some and help each other out?

[Springfield Acer]

I am relieved to see that the production rate is back up to a gal/chr and my hydro is fine. I was testing it in warm condensate. Should a known better!

[Springfield Acer]

That new shack was more wishful thinking than anything. I'm too cheap but, who knows.
And sure, we can blend some. I've got 5 gallons of pretty light stuff to do that with.

[Springfield Acer]

I need an RO first!

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Maybe done for the season, except for whats in the pan which I should boil and get out of there. Should have done that last night when I finished but I was tired and sometimes your season just ends a little short. Option is to haul some sap to folks or round up some more wood. Will see when I get to the sugarhouse this morning. There is no real plan here. one move at a time, mostly forward. Anyway we have made 129 gallons of syrup on just under 6000 gallons of sap. Made 98 gallons of GD and the rest is Amber.
Many moves to do for the upcoming event.
Weather looks really good for those getting started at this time. Ground is warmer, nights are freezing and the sap will be flowing! May get to visit some sugarhouses to?
Had a sugarhouse full of family and friends last night! Very enjoyable and makes it all worth it! Also a nice four generation picture With Cheryl, Kelly, Mike and Chloe!
https://i.imgur.com/DmnHjgr.jpg?1

Granddaughter Marly at the controls:
https://i.imgur.com/6KVQ7Pt.jpg?1
Regards,
Chris

[sbedilion]

Very nice Chris!

Im wrapping up Sunday. On track to beat last years 13gallons. I should reach 15+ if the forecast holds and trees produce. The driveway setup this year worked out well so far.

Cheers,
Steve

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200304/31505af1bac4730928be78c7b3250e63.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HowardR]

Why I like Accuweather better (today)

There are two online websites that I check approximately 5 times per day during maple syrup season: weather.com and accuweather.com. Generally I've found accuweather to be slightly more accurate as far as the low of the upcoming night is concerned, but weather.com has been slightly more accurate as far as the long-term forecast (5 days away or more) is concerned.

Right now I prefer accuweather.com. Why? Because weather.com predicts a frost on Saturday night followed by no additional frosts for the foreseeable future. Accuweather, on the other hand, predicts the same frost on Saturday night followed by frosts on Wednesday night, Thursday night and the next Saturday night. It has been a good season so far, but not great. If Accuweather is correct, it could become a great season.

[Pdiamond]

Chris, those a really great pictures. And what memories you are creating for those children. Congrats to you.

[HowardR]

Accuweather.com has just joined weather.com in predicting no frosts next week. I'll be pulling my taps on Monday or Tuesday, unless the forecast has changed by then.

[Gary R]

Tonight might be our last boil. We boiled 140 gallons of 1.1% last night and just finishing up another 140 gallons of 1% tonight. Syrup is very dark but tastes good. We probably only have enough wood for 100 or so gallons of sap. We've made 21 gallons of syrup so far. We'll finish the front pan and give my co-worker the rear pan sweet. We passed our syrup goal so no need to continue. Trees look fine and I'm sure this could last a few more weeks.

[Skeller001]

Plan to pull my taps on Sunday. The forecast has no freezing temps after that. Looks like I will get about 6.75 pints of syrup this year which is down from 17 last year. We hardly had any cold nights.

[HowardR]

Accuweather.com has just joined weather.com in predicting no frosts next week. I'll be pulling my taps on Monday or Tuesday, unless the forecast has changed by then.

Forecasts have changed yet again! Now accuweather is calling for 4 freezes next week, while weather.com is calling for 3 nights with lows at 32 or 33. The weather was perfect yesterday for a *huge* flow, but I only got a moderate flow -- probably due to the healing of the holes. If you have 3/16 or vacuum, you probably aren't getting the same slowdown.

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
I have had several offers of firewood and even called about some of the eco bricks. I did get a trailer load of seasoned firewood from The Willows at Conneautee Sugarhouse when I visited and watched Jim make syrup last night. I gathered sap yesterday and dropped some off at K&B sugarhouse, for them to make a little extra syrup for the Taste & Tour. Gathered almost 500 gallons today and most were still running pretty strong at dark. Helping neighbor gather sap from his trees he fell and cut his nose. Hope its no more serious than that. Be careful out there.
On the picture thing. New phone takes awesome pictures and I like to share!
That Driveway sugarhouse looks just fine to me. I like to see sap boiled!
Have just finished gathering another 350 today. So there is about 900 + of raw sap waiting to be boiled! Too Much! Perfect!
https://i.imgur.com/1nAkQiJ.jpg
Keep boiling!
Regards,
Chris

[sbedilion]

I expected some big runs but things just arent flowing like i thought. Holes might be healing some plus the cold overcast pittsburgh days arent helping. I was already planning on shutting down this weekend...depends on how tomorrow goes...I might wait a couple days to catch the last of this run. It’s been fun. I have family and friends coming over tomorrow to check things out. Maybe 1 or 2 more boils left but I’m definitely wrapping things up.

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[Sugarmaker]

That is a awesome picture! The steam is trapped in the canopy. Very nice.
I worked on a few things maple too; Candy , gathering buckets and watching someone else boil sap too. That 900 gallons of 2% sap turned into 21 gallons of Amber and Darl last night finishing our syrup production at 150 gallons for the season. Still will be in the sap business to help out some folks this week. And visiting sugarhouse in the area.
Famous Maple candy dipped in milk chocolate:
https://i.imgur.com/JYNaQpj.jpg?1

Helping Jim R gather in Cambridge Springs PA
https://i.imgur.com/av3vHpp.jpg?1

Father and Son fire up for 2020 in Linesville PA
https://i.imgur.com/nbnC0FL.jpg?1

Keep boiling!
Regards,
Chris

[Father & Son]

Just in from boiling 240 gallons of 2% into 5 gallons of Amber Rich. It lightened up from last nights boil. Big shout out to Dave Yochim from Creekside Welding and Machine. He stopped by tonight and made some adjustments on the fuel oil gun and greatly improved the boil in the front pan.

[HowardR]

I'm done for the year. I ended up with 93% of the syrup I made last year and 76% of my record year.

[DRoseum]

Seasons over for me. Pulled my taps today.

[sbedilion]

I am done also. Finished with 15 gallons....up 2 gallons from last year. New PR and it felt like less work and more enjoyable.

Pretty happy the weather stayed low enough that this was mostly a weekend hobby. It becomes hard when you are struggling with warm temps and sap midweek while working and running kids to practices.

Time to clean up.

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[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Sap has kept coming. Wood gathered from family and friends. Currently at 174.5 gallons of syrup. Class is Dark Robust. Sap was pretty cloudy today and the syrup flavor is a little tart. Getting very near the end of 2020 maple season. Cotton Candy to make and then get ready for the maple weekend!
Big thanks to Brent H and Father and Son, Jim today for helping too! Also to our daughter Kelly for letting me use her big white Ford it while my Ole RED is in the shop.
https://i.imgur.com/OI6u9LY.jpg?2

https://i.imgur.com/OMwVHQt.jpg?1
Keep Boiling!
Regards,
Chris

[Father & Son]

It dropped to 27 degrees here last night. Pump on for 8 hours today only got 1 gallon of sap per tap. As of 11:00 pm trees not running at all. Extended forecast shows freeze Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If that doesn’t reset something we might be done here in NW PA.

[Gary R]

We did finish boiling last week. On Sunday we filtered and canned the rest of the syrup. We ended up with 24 gallons for the year. On Sunday we also pulled taps and cleaned the tubing. Then we acid cleaned the pans. All cleaned up. On Tuesday I was able to stop at Yeany's Maple. He just got done making 100 gallons off his 3700 taps. It was great to catch up with him. Today I took my co-worker/ backyarder up to CDL PA. We bought a few items at the store then walked over to watch Patterson Farms boil. The 6X18 was running strong. 86,000 taps! I think my whole season came out of their draw off in a few minutes:)

Good luck to you Taste and Tour sugarmakers!

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
As of right now the NW PA Maple Taste and Tour is still on schedule for this weekend March 14 and 15.. It see that panic has set in all around us. Maybe for good reason, but we will see how it goes.
I picked up 250 gallons of sap today. the temps were near 60 F. Sap looked better than the last time which made into dark robust. Will boil in the morning and then make cotton candy when the granddaughters come over.
Keep boiling!
Regards,
Chris

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
I am done for 2020! A better than average year in NWPA. started the season with 650 taps, neighbor added his taps mid season so we had about 700 ish total. Made 183.5 gallons of syrup and delivered 525 gallons of sap to the neighbor. (which would have been another 10 -11 gallons) Half the crop was Golden Delicate (FIRE & ICE brand) syrup then we made Amber and some dark and the last was very dark due to simmering for 2 days over the Maple Taste and Tour Weekend March 14 and 15th, just before PA shut down. FYI We had a few less folks on the Taste and Tour but it was still a very good event!
https://i.imgur.com/ZfH5Nj0.jpg?1

Two young men that visited during the Taste and Tour:
https://i.imgur.com/8Bj6W2A.jpg?2

We even had a tractor mini tractor show too:
https://i.imgur.com/bzo2sEo.jpg?2

Have back flushed the 5/16 lines and drops with water. Pulled the taps, picked up the containers and the skids. The evaporator and steam away have been filled and heated with 8 gallons of vinegar, scrubbed, drained and rinsed. Canned another 12 gallons of Amber and Dark syrup for stocking the shelves. Containers to clean yet and lines to take down next week. Found a couple squirrel chews in the lines too. Hope every one had a safe and good season.

Regards,
Chris
https://i.imgur.com/u5MdPg1.jpg?2

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Sugarhouse is now ready to accept the 650 taps on the rolls of 5/16 short run tubing. Weather is dreary and still wet. Will begin the take down process for the lines. Its a lot of moves, not really hard work just takes a day to get the 30 locations rolled up and tagged.
I have my roadside sugarbush route divided into 3rds. Will mark each set of lines within each of the 3 groups, with a different color of electrical tape to ease the sorting process at the beginning of the season next year. Hope things are good! Looks like the season may be over in our area. Temps are not showing a freeze for at least a week. Soft maples are heavy with buds. Several sugarhouses may be preparing to boil today for the final time. It has been a good year.
Stay safe out there.
Regards,
Chris

[Sugarmaker]

Folks,
Sugarhouse is now ready to accept the 650 taps on the rolls of 5/16 short run tubing. Weather is dreary and still wet. Will begin the take down process for the lines. Its a lot of moves, not really hard work just takes a day to get the 30 locations rolled up and tagged.
I have my roadside sugarbush route divided into 3rds. Will mark each set of lines within each of the 3 groups, with a different color of electrical tape to ease the sorting process at the beginning of the season next year. Hope things are good! Looks like the season may be over in our area. Temps are not showing a freeze for at least a week. Soft maples are heavy with buds. Several sugarhouses may be preparing to boil today for the final time. It has been a good year.
Stay safe out there.
Regards,
Chris