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Thread: The Midnite Boil

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default The Midnite Boil

    Not really, but it will be midnite by the time I'm done with the first boil of the season. So good to be back at it. Almost thought I wouldn't be mapling this year, but all worked out.
    The season has started off pretty good. Collected 101 gallons of sap over the last few days for the first boil @ 2.2% sugar.

    How bout you? Let's hear whats going on.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

    2x4 Divided pan.
    Homemade RO 4x42XLE
    Shurflo 4048 pump

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adirondacks
    Posts
    2,786

    Default

    Still waiting here. Really crazy year. End of February we had three days of a decent run and boiled once. That was the 23rd of February I believe. Haven't gotten much sap since.
    FIRST GENERATION SUGARMAKER
    First boil 2/22/2012! Went Pefect!
    3,500' of laterals
    1,000' of mainline
    2012 - 105 taps on gravity, 12 sap sacks.
    2013 - 175 taps on gravity, 25 on sacks = 200 taps for 2013! Second year.
    2014 - 250 taps on gravity, 25 on sacks
    Tapped on February 16, 2014
    2015 - adding vac sap puller no more gravity for me!
    275 gallon holding tank for 2014
    20'x30' Sugarhouse

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    highland il.
    Posts
    4

    Default was it time to pull taps

    I pulled taps yesterday after collecting 600 gallons of sap off of 40 taps. This was my first time at this and was shooting from the hip, about 30% of taps were getting cloudy but still tasted good. Was it time to stop, 30 miles east of St. Louis.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    if the syrup still tastes fine keep going. You will know when to stop by the taste. How are the buds? Still freezing at night?
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

    2x4 Divided pan.
    Homemade RO 4x42XLE
    Shurflo 4048 pump

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    highland il.
    Posts
    4

    Default

    no real sign of buds yet but has warmed up considerably, still supposed to freeze again in next few days but i've been boiling my backside off and don't have really proper equip will procure a good evaporator before next year. I'm considering a waste oil burner, any thoughts on that?

  6. #6
    lpakiz Guest

    Default

    Tree tapper,
    Things are just starting here in central Wisconsin. Looks like enough for the first boil on Saturday. Then for several days it doesn't look so good. I'm surprised you are just starting, being way down south and all..
    Good luck with your season....

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    Good to hear Ipakiz! Isee you have pans from Smokey Lake. What are they and how are they working out for you. I plan on getting something from them for next year.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

    2x4 Divided pan.
    Homemade RO 4x42XLE
    Shurflo 4048 pump

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    Featheredcoyotte I dont know anything about waste oil burners. But if it makes heat and gets hot enough it should work. Just need to get your hands on enough oil.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

    2x4 Divided pan.
    Homemade RO 4x42XLE
    Shurflo 4048 pump

  9. #9
    lpakiz Guest

    Default

    They boil like crazy. It's a 2 X 10 with 8 feet of drop flue pan and just 2 X 2 syrup pan. We get over 90 gallons per hour at 800 on the stack temp. We can go hotter, but the sap jumps out of the pan into the hood gutters and down the drain, so we keep it right at 800. If you get SL pans, you won't be sorry.
    PS: Order early, he gets booked up

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    Im thinking about 2x4 or 2x6 flat pan. Thought about drop flue but my boils are two far apart I think and my boils usually arent that big. Need to see how this year goes. Going to add 30 more taps.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

    2x4 Divided pan.
    Homemade RO 4x42XLE
    Shurflo 4048 pump

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