NJG
04-04-2009, 09:16 PM
We own some land west of Ogema, WI, and tried out hand at making syrup for the first time this year. I put in 10 taps and boiled on steam table pans set on block. Since I can only get to the property on weekends, I used drop tubes with 5 gallon pails. Since we had little or no snow cover, I was a little worried about the sap going sour but for the most part we were pretty lucky. We didn't end up with much sap but made just under a gallon total.
Although I fashioned a short stack out of block, the rest of the setup was pretty basic.
I want to thank everybody for posting so many ideas and explanations on this site, both the rookies like me and all of you experienced guys. I've learned more in the last year reading this site that I had imagined and we are already making plans for next year.
Anyway, as a rookie, here are a few things that we learned from our season this year:
The time it takes for a block arch to heat up is usually spent thinking about the "new arch".
Mud: Just accept it.
I'm going to need a new chainsaw.
Cheap steam table pans will twist on a hot fire.
Current production levels will NOT pay for beer.
My wife was right to be just a little skeptical of my new hobby.
I don't forsee filtering ever being fun.
Making syrup is NOT a cure for spring fever....It's a seperate diagnosis entirely. ( I can't say I wasn't warned though)
Although I fashioned a short stack out of block, the rest of the setup was pretty basic.
I want to thank everybody for posting so many ideas and explanations on this site, both the rookies like me and all of you experienced guys. I've learned more in the last year reading this site that I had imagined and we are already making plans for next year.
Anyway, as a rookie, here are a few things that we learned from our season this year:
The time it takes for a block arch to heat up is usually spent thinking about the "new arch".
Mud: Just accept it.
I'm going to need a new chainsaw.
Cheap steam table pans will twist on a hot fire.
Current production levels will NOT pay for beer.
My wife was right to be just a little skeptical of my new hobby.
I don't forsee filtering ever being fun.
Making syrup is NOT a cure for spring fever....It's a seperate diagnosis entirely. ( I can't say I wasn't warned though)