Cleaning spouts midseason???

[GWebb]

So I'm inexperienced at tapping and now am understanding the necessity to sterilize spouts and tubing. I have 14 taps and 7 taps on two separate 3/16" gravity - vacuum (30' to 40' rise) that is new spouts and tubing, so I think these are good. I also have 20 taps on either 5/16" tubing into buckets or spouts directly into bags with stainless spouts. These I did not sterilize. I'm north-central KY (above Frankfort) and have only had two weather permitting times that sap flowed. The rest has been cold, cold, cold. I tapped January 15th. Question is: Is there any merit in popping the non-steril spouts out, sterilizing them (and tubing) and putting them back, or is the damage already done, that I'll end up with a smaller season yield because of dirty spout? Any experienced tapper out there with a good opinion? Thanks in advance.

[Pdiamond]

They are already in so you may as well leave them. You have a 4 to 6 week window when using the bags and buckets. A little bit longer on the tubing weather permitting. I use SS spouts for all my bag holders. At the end of the season I boil them and then let them air dry completely. Then put them in a plastic ziploc bag until tapping time. I replace the plastic spouts yearly as they are not expensive for the buckets and on the tubing.

[DrTimPerkins]

Don't pull the spouts. The damage you'll do to the taphole will only make things worse (especially for those on vacuum). Live with what you've got this season and make yourself a note to clean or use new spouts next year.

Note...we're not talking "sterile" in maple production..."sanitized" is a better term, or even "cleaned."

Have a good season...let us know how it goes.