UVM has some interesting reading about how many taps per line to maximize vacuum.
Place a pressure gauge at the start of the line- we are able to get 28" of vacuum- crazy
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UVM has some interesting reading about how many taps per line to maximize vacuum.
Place a pressure gauge at the start of the line- we are able to get 28" of vacuum- crazy
I boiled 32 gallons today and made 4.2 L, which was a little more than I expected.
I made the sailor hat again in the cone filter. I had a 16” long stainless steel pipe, that I stood up in the pot and it supported the top of the sailor hat. I had the pipe because I bought it to go through the garage wall to pump sap from a barrel to a proposed RO. I did make the hole in the garage and I did have the pipe through the whole, but ultimately no RO last year. I still have to fix up the hole better.
It actually worked really well.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/02d6...3bQBdmcxWJGQpw
More sap to come over the next two weeks. Our ice will be out a month early this year.
I guess I did not stick with my original goal: “My goal is at the end of the ice fishing period, near the end of March, to tap the trees for 7 to 10 days, to gather about 120 gallons of sap, to make 3 gallons of syrup or so.”
I started in December and I have already doubled the planned syrup.
Boiling a small batch today, 17.5 L. Should make 1.5+ L based on past performance. I am close to taking it off the fire and finishing it. Last time I made syrup in the pan.
Edit: I made 2.4 L today from 17.5 gallons of sap. Not all syrup shown in the picture.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/027v...R674d2oOaI7dtA
My experience from the last two years allows me to let the pan get shallower as I finish my boil and get the sap, real close to the finished product.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again. You are very lucky to have such sweet sap. That's great for you!Quote:
Originally Posted by Swingpure
GO
Boiled again today, boiled 32 gallons and made 4L of syrup.
The cone filter in the sailor hat shape, supported by the 16” stainless steel pipe, is still working great.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0d1L...k61YC2bhuHy_Eg
I boiled 37 gallons yesterday ander finished, filtered and bottled 4.5 L of syrup.
FFor the first time I had a real problem with the cone filter, especially after using a sailor hat configuration of the filters. I used three brand new prefilters and the same orlon filter. It took a long time to filter this relatively small amount. After pulling individually each of the prefilters, there was still a fair amount of syrup to go through the orlon filter, and I really had to manipulate it to allow syrup to go through.
I always clean it before using, but perhaps I need to do a better jobs of cleaning it or maybe they have a life span.
Edit: When I cleaned them today, I realized yesterday I was rushed in cleaning them before using them and did not clean one side of it well and that is why I had the problem yesterday. I am super cleaning it today.
I will also move from 3 pre-filters to five.
Of all of the things I sold, that I wish I could get back, was my DYI vacuum filter. It worked fast, filtered well and I would lose very little syrup in the process.
My original goal was to make 12 L of syrup, then 30 L of syrup. I am over 35 L now. We have about a week’s long cold spell then we will have flow again. I am not sure how many more boils I will do. Essentially whatever I make now will be for giving away to family and friends.
I rebuilt my cone filter stand, to better suit the sailor hat style. Made out of scraps, it is not pretty, but should work. Although having the optimizer would be ideal, so far I am finding the stainless steel pipe support, adequate. Perhaps next year I will get the optimizer. We will see what my maple fever will be like, next fall or spring.
In the second picture, you can see part of the metal pipe in the pot. All simple no cost things.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/094w...3Kc07LroXIbKhg
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0adU...NCsSzjTL_3Lxaw
Have I said I miss my DYI vacuum filter.
I am designing and building a vacuum filter attachment for my buddy. He has the CDL 5 gallon SS filter and bottling rig. Looks like the one that you are filtering into. The one where the cone filter fits perfectly into it and has the spigot on the bottom to bottle. Will try to post pics once done. Found a perfect ss veggie steamer pot with all the holes in it at a thrift store. Fits like a glove. Design is such that no holes are cut into the CDL rig.
Thanks, I look forward to your pics.Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Walls
Today I am boiling, 73 gallons of sap. It is my final boil. As I collected today’s sap, I pulled the taps and brought the pails in.
Sap will still flow well here for a week or more, but today is a good day to wrap this season up, while I am still enthusiastic.
I certainly made more syrup than originally planned. It was a good season from mid December to near the end of March. For the most, part I collected at a rate I could handle and boil and bottle before supper. I had two long days and today will be a third.
Edit: Made 7.75 L of syrup for a total of 48 L of syrup.
I will have changes for next year. I want to think about them before I finally decide. I will be pulling the lines on a neighbour’s property and mostly focus on trees on my property. Whether I will put up lines again on my property or have drops to pails, is to be determined. Whether I continue with my fire bowl method of boiling or make a different evaporator with a larger pan, is to be determined.
Edit: The cone filter still gave me troubles today. I had to throw out 1/4 L of syrup that would not make it through the filter, with 5 prefilters, and the filter in the sailor hat configuration. It worked great at first. I definitely will have to do something different next year.
After having my stroke last Spring and initially giving up on making maple syrup, every drop of syrup I make is bonus.