I never use a hygrometer. All I do is when I know I am close to syrup judging by the temperature I dip a flat edge scoop in the syrup pan and hold it up. If the syrup aprons on the edge it is done...
Type: Posts; User: woodsmith
I never use a hygrometer. All I do is when I know I am close to syrup judging by the temperature I dip a flat edge scoop in the syrup pan and hold it up. If the syrup aprons on the edge it is done...
I've been approached by a local pre-school if I would let them tour my sugaring operation next season. Has anyone else done this for similar groups? What approach would you recommend for kids this...
I have 85 taps in this year in Littleton and stand at 17 gallons syrup to date. Everything I've collected has been nice and clear and the boiling tells me the sugar content is high, especially...
Watching the weather for Northern NH region, still not quite there but getting things ready and hoping for more snow before things kick off. Good luck everyone.
When I used a barrel evaporator I made a preheater by running 1/4" flexible copper tubing around the flu pipe three or four times, wrap the coils with insulation held on by steel wire wrapped around...
planning to tap my bush in Littleton Wednesday the 22nd
has anyone ever thought of tapping for an early run with 5/16" taps, and then when things really get going pull those and ream the hole out to 7/16" for the remainder of the season? Would this...
not planning to saw the trees for lumber, but it seems like the tap hole might heal faster if I can find a way to remove the broken tap left in the tree.
the taps broke right at the bark on the tree
I want to know what the difference in performance between pan dividers that run side to side and those that run front to back? I am thinking of adding dividers in my pans.
I started using the Leader 5/16 bucket taps this season and actually broke 3 taps when it came time to pull them out of the trees. I've been using a straight claw hammer and then a curved claw hammer...
I used this method to great effect; on my old barrel stove I used 1/4" copper tubing around the 6" flue pipe, wrapped around 3 or 4 times and then wrapped the coil with fiberglass insulation held in...
tapped 87 trees today 3-12 in Littleton, running light
I found that leaking around taps is sometimes caused by an out of round hole, either from going in and out or an unsteady hand. I use a very sharp twist bit made for sugaring and run it in once only...
My first season sugaring I tapped 22 trees and boiled on a barrel stove with an 18 X 24 pan, seemed to handle it well enough, it boiled up to 60 taps in subsequent years but it meant long hours...
is Teflon tape on pipe threads used in syrup production considered "food safe"?
seems that someone told me old cast iron steam heat radiators would hold up well in the firebox as grates. Anyone have thoughts on that?
I use vinegar also, works great and is fairly inexpensive.
I'm thinking of testing individual trees. I currently have mostly soft maples and a friend has offered to let me tap his land loaded with sugar maples so I want to keep some records of which of my...
what's an economical tool to use for measuring sugar content in sap? I've heard of a refractometer but don't know much about their use or how expensive they are, thanks all
fire brick it is then, thanks all!
I'm insulating my firebox with 1" archboard. To protect the archboard I'm considering an inner lining of 1/4" plate steel instead of firebrick as a space saving measure. Do I lose any insulating...
I've read a little bit here about fertilizing maple trees. I keep a large compost pile and am considering using the compost along with wood ash to fertilize my trees. I always have great results...
I dump in a gallon of vinegar and then fill the pan close to the top with water (in this case 13 gallons water) and let it sit for a few weeks, then bring to a boil while scrubbing lightly, drain and...
running really nice in Littleton all weekend and Monday, looks like this will be a good week. I am wondering if the sugar content is low cause I seem to be boiling a long time, I don't have anything...