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What a year! Average sap per tap so far is 20.22 gallons all on buckets!! Pretty average sugar as well, hovering around 2.2 to 2.4%. A few trees (Silvers) today started the flowering stage and I...

I'm curious about the repsonses on this topic as well. I have noticed alot of sludge/niter this year. I've drawn off early and filtered to get the most of it, then add it back the next day to help...

Greetings all!

What a weird winter, if you can even call it that. Lakes took forever to freeze over, really warm December with only one real true week of winter's breath on us. Frost went deep...

Honey & Syrup,

First of all Congratulations on your baby boy! I have (and I'm sure there are others out there) that have been in the same boat as you tapping trees and changing diapers!! :D
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I got about the same setup, continuous 2x4 on propane. The point where I know I have to do a deep clean is when you are boiling and you think to yourself "this is taking forever...". That is the...

X2, But I'm a crazy prairie living dude with a bad case of maple madness! :D Best advice was "don't forget to have fun with it!"

Have a great season,

SDdave

Getting excited here as well! I've been rationing out my rapidly diminishing stock pile and have put the word out for those who want a bottle or two to help line up some trees. Lots of snow pack...

And that is what happened to me! Vast majority came in the last week. I've been quite pleased with the sugar content as well, it's been sitting around 3.2 so can't complain!! Last day for me for...

Darn ol' mother nature...it's been a roller coaster with the anticipation and results. And if you couldn't guess the results are the lows! When the temps are favorable the wind is 35+, when the...

What is maddening is watching the short and long term forecast change daily. I tapped all mine last weekend and now I know that was too early. Should have stuck with my gut feeling, oh well.
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Nameless Poet,

Just measured top of burner to the bottom of the pan & it is 2". TBH I do have a problem wanting to crank up the burners to get boiling faster. While doing that the sides get...

Nameless Poet,

Check out this thread, I think it may help.

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?33812-New-Pan-and-propane-question

I run a 2x4 SL continuous flow, and I've...

We've had perfect temps for the last 5 days now and "forcasted" good temps for the next few weeks, but it wasn't until yesterday that I saw a recently pruned tree dripping pretty good. Not sure on...

Collected this morning, nice and brisk out. Had a dang squirrel drop an ear of corn by me and scared me half to death. Looked up at him and saw that half of the tree had big red buds, the other...

I grew up a little north of you in Russell!

SDdave

My best trees border a cattle feed lot!

SDdave

I've decided to hold off 'til the first weekend in March. The temps look good in this upcoming week, but I am going to hold off a week. Talked with my farmers this weekend, the general consensus is...

For what it's worth...I have found that a water bottle (the cheap crinkly type) inside the bucket provides enough weight to keep it on the ground during the "soft" winds, but for those high wind days...

That's about what I do as well (except I start the RO then get dinner ready for the kids, etc. then start boiling). I have had those filters, if memory is correct, the sweet spot was/is at 125 PSI. ...

I am currently boiling on propane as well. My first setup looked quite similar to Duncans above. Now I have a 2x4 SL continuous flow on top of 8 turkey frier burners. Defintely use an RO to make...

I can't believe I am saying this, but I think I have to seriously think about pulling the plug this weekend. The sap has been great running strong and high. Todays 90 gallons was at the season low...

How does everyone cope with really ice cold sap? Its killing me watching it go so slow. I do not have a way to heat it up and just watching time go by...

SDdave

In the dairy industry a slight fruity aftertaste in milk and cottage cheese is the result from bacteria. I do not recall if ice cream (higher sugar content) has the same effects. It would not hurt...

I personally give Johns tour a two thumbs up. I was impressed with how the neighbors each had a specific job, and let me in on the action! The filter press and bottling was mind boggling,...

You are not to late! I'm sitting on 6 gallons so far on the season. Trees have been pumping out 3+%. The wind yesterday was horrible, about half of the taps where flopping in the breeze today. ...