I run stainless taps on my vacuum system and for my buckets, ill never go back. As was mentioned before, I boil them after the season but I also boil them the day I tap. I have not seen any loss in production, two seasons using them, will order more as I grow.
2024 - 57 Gallons - Short season, many and varied problems remedied in short order! - No buckets!
2023 - 38 Gallons - RO broke, Buckets didn't run, rebuilt vacuum pump mid-season, still made good syrup!
2022 - 52 Gallons - DIY RO, 50% less fuel, no late nights in the shack!
2021 - 48 Gallons - new pans, new arch, lots of new taps and tubing
2020 - 32 Gallons
2019 - 27 Gallons