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I'm going to pull the plug Monday (southeast Iowa). I'm having an ongoing problem with an off taste that's very frustrating. Hoping to find some answers or suggestions before next season. The sap has continued to run here but the trees (silver's) are getting too far along and are almost ready to flower. I feel that I have enough problems without adding possibly buddy sap to the list. On an up note: I am very pleased with the 2.5 gals. of what I consider good syrup. And people seem to like/prefer the syrup (3.25 gal.) that I don't care for. They say it has more flavor and I say yes but the flavor is bad! Maybe I'm too picky? Anyway, it's been a strange and wonderful season. At long last I feel confident with my equipment and process. Maybe that'll change but I' beginning to think it's now a matter of timing, when to tap. Good luck to all! Best regards, Ted
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Bnb I dont think were to far apart. I'm in the Eldora area. I've been tapped since the 8th of march. Cooked down only bout 180 total now. And I thought last year was the worst I'd ever see! Maybe this week will give me a good hard run. My soft maple out back is looking pretty buddy. Luckily I'm tapped on hard maples. We'll see.
T-bear you didn't by chance get a new filter this year did you? I got a new wool filter one year and must not of gotten it rinsed out enough. Gave my whole batch a weird taste. Had to do alot of refiltering and it never did get totally gone. Just a thought.
Frank
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We tapped the 2nd week of Feb- As of Saturday we are at 715 gallon of sap 18.5 gallon finished syrup- We were really warm over the weekend and did not get much of anything- We were down to 24 last night so hoping for some big runs this week- I think our silvers will be done after Wednesday this week - Will update again after we collect tonight- Frank good luck this week- Ted sorry to hear your taste issue has not went away - Upmep are you done also?
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Okay, so I've got some "closure" to my off taste problem. Come to find out that I like the light amber but not the dark amber syrup. There wasn't an actual "off" taste involved merely the differance in taste between the two (light and dark). All I can say in my own defence is that Mrs. Butterworth ruined my taste buds! I think this is a perfect case of getting into something (that I know NOTHING about) because it sounds like fun. I know so very little that I couldn't even tell when I got it right! I guess I shouldn't have dumped that 2.25 gals. down the drain as others that I have given samples to (around here) prefer it. Wow! What a year. Oh, and Frank? I guess it wasn't the filter:). And Bill? 715! Good on ya! I don't remember who started this thread but Thank You! It's been a nice way for us Iowans to keep in touch. Though my seasons done I'll be checking in on the forum for awhile yet so you folks have fun and good luck. Ted
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What a great week for sap - collected 140 gallon yesterday - finished another 3 gallon that went back to a lighter color- we had another freeze last night so should run good today - our weekend is looking warm so may be over after that- Ted glad you got your "taste issue" figured out. It has been a fun and frustrating season.
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Well I pulled a whopping 50 gal. yesterday.:rolleyes: It was running pretty good yesterday evening when I checked so I have big hopes for today. It does look like its coming to an end I need these next couple of days to salvage my season. T-bear good to hear you figured it out. You must just have more refined taste!! ;) Bnb your really doing well on what I would call a very strange year. Good on ya. Gotta go pull sap hears hoping its a tub buster!
Later on Frank
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"Thanks guys", he mumbled, with downcast eyes and a sheepish grin. My brother stood right in front of me, pointing at me, laughing his ### off! I never did like him much :). Bill: it sounds like you're knocking them dead! Frank: I've got my fingers crossed for you. Go get 'em! It reminds me of the first year I had my new pan, I think I collected 20 gals. of sap. Not even enough to bother boiling. It was kinda depressing. Good luck everyone! And have fun! Ted
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Writing from the sugar shack. We have collected just under 300 gallon the last 2 days. We got down to 30 last night so hoping for 1 last good run today. We finished another 3 gallon last night to bring out total up to 25.2 gallon. Still have over 100 gallon in the tank to get cooked here this morning. Will let you know how we finish up
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Well I've collected 350 total. cooked down the first 180 made some of the lightest amber I've ever seen. Looks like honey! the other 190 is down close, ready to filter and bottle. I'm looking at 11 gal of finish!! I'm hesitant to even type those numbers. I cant believe the sugar content! So that is the bright spot on what has other wise been the worst sap year ever for us. Would have pulled them today but didnt' have time. Probably 50 gal. hanging still. Frogs are begining to sing, which usually means I'm done, but fence posts are still fozen in the ground and cant be pulled by a tractor yet!! Strange, Strange year here!!
later on Frank
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Well we finished our bottling last night. We ended the season right at 31 gallons. We had a yeild rate of 37.7 gallon of sap to 1 gallon of syrup. that is by far the best we have ever done. We did try and boil some sap from Saturday that we put in the freezer. Had our first dirty sock smell no question that it was bad. We dumped about 40 gallons and called it a year. Now we need to get everything cleaned up and ready for Morrell season. Will continue to monitor the site and will have a few questions about things we are going to try and do differently next year. It has been great to connect with the Iowa people!!! Bill
