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Thread: Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

  1. #3161
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Bradford, VT
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    20

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    We are obviously small time compared to most of you. But we use organic safflower oil with great success on our 3x8. 1 drop in the front pan is amazingly effective. And usually 1 or 2 drops in the back per firing keeps the foam down
    I dont know anyone else who uses it? But I believe it is within organic guidelines (we are not certified, but not interested in commercial defoamers)

  2. #3162
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

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    Quote Originally Posted by DrTimPerkins View Post
    That's pretty typical for organic defoamers. They work reasonably well to a point...then they don't. Trans works slightly better than some, with less off-flavors. When it reaches the point when you're standing over the flue pan with a bottle pouring it directly into the pan with no effect then it's time to change to Atmos. The lack of organic defoamer effectiveness is one of the weakest points of organic maple syrup production.
    We have done really well with the Trans0580 - Up until our boil on Tuesday. Then all hell broke loose twice during the boil. It came back under control fairly quickly but not until overfoaming all over the sides. We'll be boiling tomorrow and plan to stick with the TransO using our LaPierre auto defoamer. And yes, we are certified organic starting this season.

    Ken
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  3. #3163
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ultimatetreehugger View Post
    At 1130 last night I finally caught up from the last thaw. 18000 gallons of sap in 48 hours on 3300 taps...
    Are you serious? Do you have that much storage capacity?
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  4. #3164
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Vermont
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    315

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    Quote Originally Posted by TapTapTap View Post
    Are you serious? Do you have that much storage capacity?
    I am dead serious. I have 5500 gallons capacity. My sap buyer had to start sending me to another buyer with a bigger ro in order to keep up. I was pulling 1000 gallons out as quick as I could and I didn't start to make headway until it froze yesterday morning. Lots of catnaps.
    Last edited by Ultimatetreehugger; 04-02-2021 at 07:38 PM.
    Remember to keep on ticking while the sap is dripping.
    2016- 50 buckets. Made 4 gallons.
    2022- 3900? taps + Smartrek! Made 1300 gallons.

  5. #3165
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sumner, ME
    Posts
    499

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    Quote Originally Posted by chep View Post
    We are obviously small time compared to most of you. But we use organic safflower oil with great success on our 3x8. 1 drop in the front pan is amazingly effective. And usually 1 or 2 drops in the back per firing keeps the foam down
    I dont know anyone else who uses it? But I believe it is within organic guidelines (we are not certified, but not interested in commercial defoamers)
    I've been quite happy with organic canola oil. Boiling raw sap, I use probably a pint, pint and a half over a season to make 400+ gallons of syrup. Dr. Tim, are the commercially produced organic defoamers considerably more effective than vegetable oils? Does it really only become an issue when boiling concentrated sap?
    Steven Abbott
    Over 900 taps on vacuum
    30" x 10' D&G Woodsaver evaporator with Steamaway
    Half acre market garden
    2 farmers in training

  6. #3166
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Middlesex, Vermont
    Posts
    320

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ultimatetreehugger View Post
    I am dead serious. I have 5500 gallons capacity. My sap buyer had to start sending me to another buyer with a bigger ro in order to keep up. I was pulling 1000 gallons out as quick as I could and I didn't start to make headway until it froze yesterday morning. Lots of catnaps.
    Well done sir! Impressive to say the least, always a good problem to have especially on a year like this one!
    Mead Maple "It's for the kids..."
    Paul Cerminara
    2019 - First season ever
    -Goal: 3 gallons
    -Season Total: 7.5 gallons - pulled taps after running out of firewood and time
    2020
    Built 2'x8' Oil Fired with Thor drop flue pans
    -Goal: 20 gallons
    -Season Total: 55 gallons

  7. #3167
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Rutland, Vermont
    Posts
    326

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    Hoping for a good run today. Got down to 15 degrees last night so it might be until this afternoon before i turn on the guzzler.
    CDL 2.5*8 Venturi with all the bells
    Leader Clear 5 bank filter press
    Memprotec 350H RO
    600ish taps and looking for more.

  8. #3168
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Salisbury, N.H.
    Posts
    2,069

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    Ultimatetreehugger- that's the best post I have read all season. I had to get my calculator out for that one. Awsome runs only come as a result of hard work, and sometimes they still don't come despite hard work.
    Salisbury Sugarworks,,Parker Rowe, and friends
    Salisbury, N.H.
    1988 taps in 09
    over 2500 on vac in 2010
    no buckets in 2010
    2815 taps in 2011
    shooting for 3000 in 2012
    4000 taps? In 2014
    5x16 wood fired "Mighty Marvin"
    50 cords in the shed
    Old, old R.O.
    Charter member Andover/Salisbury Mapleholics
    http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/4...s009bx4.th.jpg

  9. #3169
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Calais, VT
    Posts
    85

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    Just took a cruise through the woods. Discouraging... Many red maple flowers are about to explode. Tomorrow? Monday? And sugars are suddenly looking pretty plump. Not sure I will make it through the week. Fingers crossed.

  10. #3170
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Vermont
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    315

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    Thanks guys. It was a tough couple days lol 😆
    Remember to keep on ticking while the sap is dripping.
    2016- 50 buckets. Made 4 gallons.
    2022- 3900? taps + Smartrek! Made 1300 gallons.

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