My trees are all Hard Maples. I have a lot of older - 50 year and older trees. This syrup was super sweet and smooth. I personally prefer a bit more of a maple taste but this really seats good on...
Type: Posts; User: old fashioned
My trees are all Hard Maples. I have a lot of older - 50 year and older trees. This syrup was super sweet and smooth. I personally prefer a bit more of a maple taste but this really seats good on...
I do everything pretty much the same every time. The syrup is so smooth and sweet. Better than any I have ever tasted. I tastes buttery. I was figuring it was because everything came together.
I feel kinda funny posting this. We have made syrup for 36 years. 7 ft flat pan and a 2 ft preheat then finishing pan. I always tell folks the last 45 minutes of the run are the most important and...
OK now I am curious. What is a cdl bit? Is that a brand name?
In the 37 years we have made syrup I have used 3 maybe 4 bits. In 2018 I had an Irwin 7/16 break. I was shocked. I figure I had close to 800 taps with that bit. I could not find one for sale...
The spiles are metal
I got a bucket of spiles - some brand new and some used. They were in with hooks so there is rust on some. I was going to boil, chlorine wash, scrub and rinse. Does anyone have any other...
Yes the high density do say food grade. I was wondering how they would hold up - they as so thin. At this point I plan on going high density. I was hoping to hear from actual experience. Thanks
Thank you for the info. This too is a test to see if it is working. I feel like part of the community now.
Everyone has info about their operation and other stuff at the bottom of their replies. How do you add that?
I am looking at using a plastic bag liner in my old buckets next year. They are pretty inexpensive. Can anyone comment on high vs low density bags?
I really appreciate all the response and discussion. Let me restate the original question - What are your test results and what is your method? Thanks
I'm new to the forum but have made syrup for 35+ years. My profile name - old fashioned - says it all. We are buckets, spiles and flat plan. With all the discussion about pros and cons of...
Don't get too stuck on stainless and welding it. A regular steel pan gets a coating on the inside from the syrup and on the outside from the fire. Rust is not a problem. You're boiling so...
I had some folks out a couple of years ago. The 16 yr old daughter was helping gather and asked why the sap in the bucket was green? I said it was too early for the trees to be budding and that was...
I saw this thread and was wondering if there were any updates?
When I started making syrup 35 years ago I was looking for equipment. I found a guy - just gone to tubing - who sold me 75 pails and spiles. He asked what I was using for a flat pan. I told him I...
I do syrup with buckets, spiles and a flat pan and I boil off 25 gal an hour. Anyways - I am looking to get more buckets and spiles. They come up every so often at auctions around me. Last time I...
Thanks for all the feedback. Next year I am going to tap some Red Maples early and then do the Hard Maples when I normally do. Hopefully this helps me extend my season.
I'm in Northwest Ohio. Been making syrup for 35 years. Buckets and spiles. 163 taps this year. I have always tapped Hard Maples. In reading the forums I see folks talking about Red Maples. I...
Who says you don't learn something every day. I was the first reply to this post. After reading all the other responses, I'm going to look into a refractometer. Thanks for the education.
I have used a hydrometer for 35 years. It is a simple reliable method. Based on your method - I'm a flat pan - you may have to take off before the test line because the syrup will continue to...
Think of your tap hole as a wound in the tree. As soon as you tap the tree starts to heal. As it heals it bleeds less. Depending on the weather the healing process takes 2-4 weeks. I'm in Ohio...