Quote Originally Posted by Lespetras View Post
Hmmm we didn't even check our sugar content as we don't have a proper sap hydrometer... So we went ahead and started our first boil yesterday afternoon anyway as we had 50 litres to work with. I've read that the first sap of the season should have the highest sugar content... But obviously I am misinformed as the consensus on here says different. Hopefully this does mean a long season.. That would be awesome! We set up a sap drip as per the local suppliers advice and things ran rather smoothly, the sweet smell of the sap boiling down was enough to send my husband into maple bliss and now he has officially taken over the household role of maple CEO! Come 10 pm we were exhausted and shut it down. Stored the partially boiled sap and will start it up again today.
Can't wait to taste the first completed batch!
Hope everyone else is not too bummed about their hydrometer readings...
Aha, another helpless noob in the throes of their first batch...she's hooked, people, hooked I tell you! MUWAHAHAHAHAAAAA...

Good thinking to shut down the operation when you're tired and you've got some decent near-syrup (aka nearup). Finishing off syrup can be trying, esp the first few times you do it, so you want to be alert at all times to prevent boilovers and other possible disasters. Whatever you do, don't turn your back on some almost-done syrup that's sitting there throwing off a million teeny bubbles at the bottom of the pot - guaranteed it'll suddenly froth up like mad!

Have fun, be extra careful and let us know how it works out! Eager to hear how your first batch turns out :-)