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Type: Posts; User: katmike

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  1. Replies
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    Certainly there's a risk, I thought a well...

    Certainly there's a risk, I thought a well calculated risk. I've been using this rig for 10 years and I thought I knew everything about it and it's nuances... how much sap/nearup is in the pan and...
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    Thanks for all the ideas. Lesson indeed learned....

    Thanks for all the ideas. Lesson indeed learned.

    I did try to evaluate a sample and see if it could be saved - no way. Too burnt and tossed it all. I didn't see buckeyes suggestion but too late....
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    Huge batch in evap now sludge

    Well I messed up big time.

    I stoked too much wood in evap before going to bed and knew I had a problem when I go out there this morning and smell burnt sugar.

    The pan didn't boil dry - just...
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    As I understand it, natural gasses in the tree...

    As I understand it, natural gasses in the tree can prevent getting max theoretical vacuum?

    The OP would see a lot of bubbles in the lines that may not be caused by leaks, but would impact the...
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    I had an observation that occurred several years...

    I had an observation that occurred several years ago. One morning I was wondering the woods, checking things out and surprised that the trees were running like crazy even though it wasn't warm (<40F)...
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    Mid 60s for a week! Ugh....

    I tapped all my trees on Feb 11, barely a week ago. Forecast at that time was ideal looking a month ahead.

    Now I've had 1 good run, the weather changes and a huge warm-up. My trees will likely be...
  7. Thread: 2017 season

    by katmike
    Replies
    22
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    22,656

    I just tapped a week ago so I am sure hoping...

    I just tapped a week ago so I am sure hoping we're not done. Not a freeze in the forecast until late next week! UGH....
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    I recall a similar weather setup a few years ago...

    I recall a similar weather setup a few years ago when they were predicting a snowstorm for our area. The trees ran like crazy as the barometer dropped. Maybe that creates a large pressure difference...
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    Replacing 3/16 tubing spouts timing

    OK so I tried some taps on 3/16 gravity last season and understand the plastic spouts should be replaced annually.

    I'd prefer to do it now (October) rather than just prior to maple season next...
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    Well I used the regular 5/16 bit with my CDL 3/16...

    Well I used the regular 5/16 bit with my CDL 3/16 spouts. I was not aware of CDLs recommendation. That might also explain why I max at only 18" vac and it does seem like I have more leakers. I also...
  11. Thread: Tapping

    by katmike
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    10,651

    I am seeing 1.4 - 1.5% sugar. Ugh.... hope it's...

    I am seeing 1.4 - 1.5% sugar. Ugh.... hope it's just early season issues. A lot of my trees don't have good crowns, but I tap everything that's big enough.
  12. Thread: Tapping

    by katmike
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    10,651

    Yes, I've collected about 90 gals on about 60...

    Yes, I've collected about 90 gals on about 60 taps so far. Next few days won't be too good but middle of next week, watch out!
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    Tapped day before yesterday. I am trying 3/16...

    Tapped day before yesterday. I am trying 3/16 tubing/gravity on 15 taps also.

    Collected and boiled 50 gals last night. It has begun!
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    3/16 tubing capacity

    For some of you, this goes in the "who cares?" category. I am going to try some 3/16 tubing this year. I've always wondered about all that sap sitting in the lines...

    Did some calculations to...
  15. Found a company called Doug Care Equipment that...

    Found a company called Doug Care Equipment that sells 4"x6" food grade polyolefin shrink bags for $11.50/500 count. Uline has them also but almost double the price. 4x6 is the smallest size I...
  16. True there may not be much of a market for them,...

    True there may not be much of a market for them, thus the reasoning to try and do it economically if they don't sell well.

    Based on internet searches of this type of product, I am not introducing...
  17. Economical heat shrink packaging for hard sugar blocks

    I was looking to see if anyone has some suggestions for such a product? I have a Food Saver, which is a vacuum sealer and heat seals on end of a bag that the item is placed in. It just doesn't look...
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    3/16 tubing contraction in cold weather?

    Just put up some CDL semi-rigid 3/16 tubing for next season and my first attempt at any type of tubing (gravity).

    As I was putting it up I was amazed at how the barbed connectors keep it from...
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    Best pump solution for small hobbyist

    I have viewed most of the threads and just don't know what my best pump option is. Need some feedback.

    I am setting up some of my taps on 3/16 for gravity and will have a 65 gallon horizontal tank...
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    I tried several Iphone apps but only the free...

    I tried several Iphone apps but only the free ones and they aren't accurate enough to be of much use. If there's a good one I'd be willing to pay for it but I am not optimistic.
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    Yes...I am sold! Just wasn't sure.... common...

    Yes...I am sold!

    Just wasn't sure.... common sense was telling me that ANY vacuum is better than 0 vacuum, but in the back of my mind I wondered about other "variables" of the physics involved....
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    yet another 3/16 question

    All buckets now... but have some potential slope for using 3/16 tubing for gravity. I have one section that I am not sure I would benefit, but I'd sure like to get these on tubing and avoid the...
  23. Thread: tapped today.

    by katmike
    Replies
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    4,429

    Wow.... coincidence. I put out 55 too. I was...

    Wow.... coincidence. I put out 55 too. I was really surprised to see drips coming out after removing the bit. I was expecting little to no sap since it
    s been so cold. Might actually collect...
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    I stir by hand. Not too bad but yes it is tiring.

    I stir by hand. Not too bad but yes it is tiring.
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    Maple cream first attempts...questions

    Made my first attempts at making some cream yesterday. First time turned out great. Second - not so much. It never really set up plus it filled the container to the very top of the rim. Wondering if...
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