If I buy an RO my price will definitely go up.
My trees have been "sleeping" since yesterday AM. We are getting some weather today with colder nights and some sun coming the next two days - I'm sure they will "wake" up.
I used that down time yesterday to clean tanks and re-arrange everything in the sugarhouse. While reversing the flow direction in the flue pan, I discovered that one of those little plugs had fallen out meaning that I had no control over the direction of the gradient last week. That probably explains the somewhat erratic production and those odd long waits. I expect I'll get a grade lighter syrup tomorrow.
I gathered yesterday and threw out the ice as I went. I tested that tank when we got back to the sugarhouse and was pleased to find sap a full percentage point higher than what I've been dealing with this season. Should be a pleasing morning of cooking.
Seriously struggling to get a good grade this season. Seems to be more sludge/mud in the filters than we have ever seen. Lots of dark syrup. Anyone else seeing the same thing? Still tastes really good though.
12 x 16 shack with 8 x 16 addition
2 x 6 D&G raised flue with hood
Homebuilt releasers
220 taps on vac
100 plus taps on buckets
Gast 1550 on gas engine
HF vac pump on generator
I've made a lot of darker syrup this year. I'm also seeing lower than usual sugar percentages so it makes sense that if I have to cook more sap it's going to end up darker. I'm gonna feel the pinch at the end of the season when my wood-shed runs out.
Here we are 21 days into the season and half my wood is gone. It may work out just right at the end, but I started the season thinking I had a huge surplus.
I've gotten the lightest syrup ever consistently on my rig. Not sure why. I've burned up almost all my wood. Still say it's been a success so far.
2017:150 taps
Hauled by me my dog and a Yamaha. Blaster, no buckets next year.
Trees sucked most the seasons sap back up. Live and learn.
14 gallons syrup.
2016: New 10x16' sugar shack, new leader 2x4 evaporator
150+ taps gravity to buckets=13 gal. Burnt roof off shack lost 3-4 gallons of syrup in pan and draw off pale didn't eat fire extinguisher
IH 584 sap hauler
2015: Homemade oil tank arch with 3 steam table pans
35 taps gravity to buckets=1 gal.
1 human sap hauler