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  1. Thread: 2024 Season

    by buck3m
    Replies
    35
    Views
    11,370

    Our buckets have been up for one week in east...

    Our buckets have been up for one week in east central Minnesota. We have gathered 4.5 gallons per bucket total so far as of February 25.
  2. Thread: 2024 Season

    by buck3m
    Replies
    35
    Views
    11,370

    Tapped today, February 18 in East Central Minnesota

    About 10% were slowly dripping. It’s super early but with the predicted warm weather we are hoping for some good gathers over the next week.
  3. Thread: 2023 season

    by buck3m
    Replies
    72
    Views
    78,153

    It ain't over 'til it's over

    Sometimes the weather can fool a person. Seems like it would be a good bet to leave them in until the show is definitely over.
  4. Thread: 2021 Season

    by buck3m
    Replies
    61
    Views
    83,951

    Last gather of the season today

    We are doing this for fun, and decided to call it a season in east-central when we saw the buds swelling, looked at the forecast and heard the frogs calling. A good season. Possibly the least muddy...
  5. Thread: 2021 Season

    by buck3m
    Replies
    61
    Views
    83,951

    Yup, a gallon of maple syrup weighs between about...

    Yup, a gallon of maple syrup weighs between about 11.02 and 11.20 pounds per gallon depending on Brix....
  6. Replies
    24
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    8,008

    "I'd just use the settling method if it were me."...

    "I'd just use the settling method if it were me." Yup. For small batches that you're not selling. Much easier, way less frustrating, wastes less syrup.

    "I pull it off the heat, wait for the temp...
  7. Replies
    15
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    4,386

    "My question is, can/should I be using the...

    "My question is, can/should I be using the divided pan to run a continuous (slow) draw off, which will also let me manage the filtering stage better?"

    I'll assume the warming pan lets you trickle...
  8. Replies
    14
    Views
    5,284

    I don full rain gear, gloves, wear glasses and...

    I don full rain gear, gloves, wear glasses and use a pressure washer on them, then set the buckets out to dry. I haul and store them horizontally to keep them from sticking together.
  9. Replies
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    2,132

    Amazing efficiency. Nice job!

    Amazing efficiency. Nice job!
  10. Replies
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    1,164

    I filter finished syrup, about 66.5 Brix. That's...

    I filter finished syrup, about 66.5 Brix. That's because bringing it to boil again after filtering will create more sugar sand.
  11. Thread: 2021 Season

    by buck3m
    Replies
    61
    Views
    83,951

    Tapped and hung 150 buckets today in east...

    Tapped and hung 150 buckets today in east central. Enough snow to make it tiring! Most trees were dripping slowly. Looks like a nice early start to the season.
  12. Replies
    10
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    4,292

    "Historically it was recommended that tapholes be...

    "Historically it was recommended that tapholes be drilled at a slight angle to allow sap to run out to reduce freeze heaving of spouts and to reduce sap souring in the taphole."

    I use buckets and...
  13. Replies
    14
    Views
    7,072

    I think new niter can form if more water...

    I think new niter can form if more water evaporates, or if syrup is reheated past the temp where it was filtered, or about 195, whichever is lower, or reheated so there are hot spots. Otherwise, I...
  14. Replies
    14
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    7,072

    Worth a read:...

    Worth a read: https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Ask-Proctor-Filtering-MapleSyrupDigest.pdf

    We like to filter at about 200 degrees. In fact, many places recommend filtering finished syrup...
  15. Replies
    0
    Views
    1,715

    A&A Metal Shop: Facebook page and price list

    Just noticed they have a Facebook page, and I got a response to a message within minutes: https://www.facebook.com/A-A-Metal-Shop-103912677668243/photos

    I see a price list was posted earlier this...
  16. Replies
    14
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    7,072

    Despite having done this a long time, I am still...

    Despite having done this a long time, I am still learning new things, but don't think I have personally seen so much niter after proper filtering. I have seen that much sugar. I think the different...
  17. Replies
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    7,072

    I can't tell from the photos, but are you saying...

    I can't tell from the photos, but are you saying that the niter fills 15-20% of the jars? If so, I wonder if it could be sugar crystals and not niter. I'd pour out a jar and taste the residue. Is it...
  18. Very innovative. I'm impressed!

    Very innovative. I'm impressed!
  19. Replies
    10
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    5,919

    I'm impressed!

    I'm impressed!
  20. My tank will be food grade plastic as would be...

    My tank will be food grade plastic as would be any baffling materials. The guy in the video wasn’t hauling sap and it looked like non food grade hose.
  21. I think he knows what he's talking about,...

    I think he knows what he's talking about, although it would seem that several buckets would be even better. Earlier I found this on Youtube. The problem would be the expense of food grade hose:...
  22. Thanks. Have you used one for this purpose...

    Thanks. Have you used one for this purpose yourself?

    I was planning to have the gatherers dump sap into a smaller container and pump into the tank, leaving everything set up as we drive along....
  23. 275 gallon caged tank: How bad is the sloshing when gathering?

    I've been using four 55 gallon barrels to gather, but am considering switching to a single caged tank to simplify things. I'd be towing it through the woods, on a two wheel trailer pulled by an old...
  24. Replies
    3
    Views
    5,057

    Definitely woodpecker work but it doesn't look...

    Definitely woodpecker work but it doesn't look like standard sapsucker damage to good wood, but woodpeckers going after bugs in the dead wood of a tree.
  25. Thread: 2019

    by buck3m
    Replies
    95
    Views
    86,859

    Outstanding. Congratulations!

    Outstanding. Congratulations!
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