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Thanks little tapper, although lots bigger than me.
So, still trying to figure out best cleaning approach. You have a good system, but I have no vacuum or electricity for that matter. I have about...

So.. Contrary to what I’ve been doing, do I understand the best approach - per Dr Perkins comment- is to not clean lines when done? Just pull taps, leave everything attached. Cut taps off in the fall...

Thanks all. Will take suggestion to the camp. Here in upstate ny, it’s still really cold - as in single digits, but hoping to tap and start this weekend.

Thanks on he foam ideas. This issue really is my biggest conundrum of the whole system (ie tapping, lines, storage, etc.)
I also won’t argue with the niter idea folks - as all good suggestions, but...

Thanks folks. Funny, nobody thinks it’s the burned foam - which was my thought. So, cleaning niter seems to be consensus. I’ll look into best cleaning. I’ve just used wire brush and hot water. No...

Would appreciate some insight. Ok, so last year I ended up throwing out about 15 gal of syrup that had an off-flavor. Burned bitter taste.
I have a Grimm 2x6 evaporator (2x4 flue and 2x2 finishing)...

I'm surprised you all did as good as you did with this cold weather. As I mentioned before I missed this season but am going to get ready for next year by cutting firewood as soon as I can get to it....

I'm watching to hear how you guys are doing this year. I usually do about 100 taps just off S. Johnsburg Rd, but for one reason or another couldn't tap this year and missing it. You Johnsburg and...

That might explain something for me. I tapped about 100 trees (gravity) this year, and only have about 5 gal. of syrup so far. This is in the Adirondacks, and is still running, but would be...

Same here. Can't keep up. Being in the Adirondack hills, I'm always jealous of the folks boiling in February, but we're going strong and they've packed it in. Guess all evens out.

Old timers in Northern NY use to say not to tap until first day of spring. Of course that was before vacuum and global warming, but they would have been right - at least at my camp. A little...

Thanks for the input. Sounds like I have to figure it out for this evaporator. My valve to sugar pan is at the bottom, so can't leave open. Right now I have to manually open valve to add to sugar...

Neat graphic. Thanks. Can I just ask one more question. At what brix/temp do you go from flue pan to sugar pan?

Hi - I've been reading this with interest. I resurrected my Dad's old Grimm Lighting evaporator that looks very similiar to this picture - Except sap would enter at top right, sugar pan is...

How is everyone doing in Warren Co.? I'm in the hills (Thurman) and haven't tapped yet. It's always 5 deg cooler there, but going to tap next weekend, despite cool forecast for next week.

It's not that bad. I figure if I can just get about $300 per gallon I'll just about break even. Until then, I'll just keep family and friends in syrup.

I've thought I was drawing off too early - 3rd year making syrup with an older Leader evap. It's got a syrup pan on front (2 x2?) and then I've been finishing on a propane burner in a large turkey...

Was hoping to tap in Thurman, but not running today and the rest of the week looks cold. Guess I'll have to wait until next weekend

Thanks for the comments. It's good to know that I don't have to start from scratch every weekend. Now just need a thaw. I was all excited about tapping this weekend, but doesn't look good right...

Hey All - just joined and what a great site! I think I've read all posts over the past year and learned a lot from everyone. Here's my unique problem. I have about 100 taps on gravity pipeline at...