Search:

Check your fittings for any wood shavings or other gunk that may be stopping the flow.

Check out TimberFrameHQ.com. I ordered plans there, and when lumber prices come down, I might actually build it.

I’m in West Simsbury on the Canton border. Totes were frozen this weekend, so we will see what today and the overnight brings. I’ll boil that and the sweet and I’m done.

Collected about 150 gallons today. Looks clear. Haven’t heard any peepers and not many buds on the trees near me. Hoping for a last run?

This is the potable water pump and very pricey at $1,675. https://www.waterpumpsdirect.com/Pacer-IPW2WL-E6VCP-Water-Pump/p98016.html The pump head only is about $1,200. And there is another Pacer...

Wondering if anyone has used military water pumps that are for potable water use. EC Shleyler and American-Marsh are a couple of the manufacturers. The one below is diesel and stamped “fresh water...

Thanks Dr. Tim, your guess is correct! We are on a well and have had issues with iron- just didn’t make the connection here.

We use the same well water for washing maple equipment. Is there any...

I picked up a few totes that held 100% organic blue agave syrup. The residue syrup rinsed out well with hot water with no smell. One of the totes had some mold spots on the bottom, so I rinsed that...

Thanks for all the responses. The more I look at it, the building is actually stepped down in 3 different heights. It would be a challenge to get the cinders to match level. And, not sure it would...

My 12x16 shack was built into a slope by the prior property owner with basic 2x4 construction. It sits on the ground with a pressure treated wood sill (hopefully) and has a field stone foundation on...

Were you still heating while bottling? As the syrup level decreased, you could have over-heated the last few liters. A water jacketed bottler keeps even heat without adding niter or crystals.

I tapped in about 50 taps on 3/16th tubing this am. Nothing running yet at 42 degrees. I am at 590’ elevation, so maybe another day for the trees to thaw.

I ordered the Shurflo wingnut to 3/4” barb fitting, but the barb is too small for my 3/4” mainline. I’ve used reducers, the strainer, barbs and hose clamps in the past, but am looking for a quick...

The sap tap app buckets near me were overflowing Thurs-Fri, but now nearly empty. I’ll hold off til next week, which is a blessing as I have more prep to do!

This is one of my best producing maples, which is leaking sap (now frozen) as of yesterday. I haven’t tapped yet and hopefully it’s not a split from a tap last season. No evidence of woodpecker or...

There will be a good run starting tomorrow, going into Tuesday until the sap is all up.

Yes, collected 210 gallons today.

Slowly thawing out here today in Simsbury, but looks like the first part of this week will be too warm for another run?

I haven’t seen just the screen available. The strainer assembly with the screen is on eBay for $9. It’s good to have an extra one or two on hand just in case it cracks.

BAP, can you give us some details on your experience with the CDL 12” vacuum filter? Does it need DE, or do the filters give clear syrup?

I see how you are trying to get an edge on the syrup competition by posting the meeting date a day late! I’d drop yours off but I’m closer to Sessions Woods than Cheshire.

I have the 2x4XL. It has 4 channels instead of 3 on the regular pan, plus reverse flow, which is nice. I believe the new XL has the preheater directly on the firebox and there were some recent...

Anyone in CT still running? Looks like today will be some and maybe Mon-Wed next week?

I’m using an ATC refractometer and calibrated to 71.5 using olive oil in the 1st photo. Tried cold sap next, but I get a full blue screen reading in 2nd photo after waiting about 30 sec to stabilize...

I was hoping someone could suggest how to plumb one into a Mason 2x4XL as well!

Ok fellow traders. I’ve got a steam powered coffee urn I’d like to use for bottling that’s really for restaurant use, as it requires an external source for steam to heat the water jacket. The steam...