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Finished boiling up and bottling everything I had up to date (17.25 off 66 taps). All syrup was much lighter than last year and the final batch was the same color as the first. Did not pull the taps, collected 12 gallons of clear stuff and dumped the rest. Hoping the temps are few degrees colder than forecasted to get one more run and pull everything on Monday. If not it was a little better than last year and no complaints.
Boiled yesterday 45 gallons, thought it would be 50+ but some was spoiled. Anyway 1.56 gallons of syrup and it was dark amber. I just checked the buckets and although the taps are dripping, some buckets were yellow and others were cloudy. So, I pulled the taps, ending my first season.:cry: Totals equaled 5 boils, 135 gallons of sap produced 4.56 gallons of syrup. Sugar content on my trees obviously pretty high and produced the spectrum of grade color and taste. Tomorrow starts the cleanup and storage of equipment and of course ideas and plans for next year.It was a great experience and had a lots of fun.:)
Last batch...ran out of syrup bottles...so canning jars. Dark amber
http://mapletrader.com/maplegallery/...p_jam_jars.jpg
Congrats MichtonTree on your first season. You made an impressive amount of syrup. Now you can start counting down the days until next season. I know we'll see you here again next year.
Thanks Karen, Really enjoyed the whole process. I learned a lot from this website and from my own mistakes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Run Forest Run!
You may see me around the equipment forum, I have a few ideas i'll be wanting to flush out for next year.:rolleyes:
Some said more may run this week - but I am done. Pulled taps and buckets, ready for spring.
Final tally 4.25 gallons on 20 taps.
Now I have to figure out how to re-process my bottles to remove the niter.
I had some of my trees run yesterday. A few have buds on a few trees but most still do not. I think I am going to keep what ran over the last few days separate and then process it alone.
Picked up about 1000 gal today its def slowing down but not over yet! Thought i would get sleep this week but not yet!
Pulled the taps yesterday and wrapped everything up today. 18.5 gallons off 66 taps - can't complain when you get above a quart per tap especially after the late and slow start. All syrup was on the light side but very clean (the pic below is from the last batch) not a lot of niter this year. Sugar content was average for us right around 1.5%. Mark good luck and hope the temps dip the next two nights and you get another run or two.
Attachment 11619
I was just thinkin it was surprising to see your taps gone already. Took a truck we fixed for a test drive and went by your state land an hour ago. Mine are just weeping too gona boil tonight then sat or sun start chasing it out with water. Was a great season tho i will be over 350 gal syrup tonight
Yesterday was our last boil. 785 gallons of sap at 0.6%; thank goodness for the RO which gave me 7.6% concentrate.