I'm certainly a believer in sterilization of spliles. We bought new stainless spiles this year, and I rinsed them out well then baked them in the oven at 300 deg F for a half hour. We tapped in late January, and when we pulled taps in early March, half of our bags were full (3 gallons in 36 hrs, but no more freezing nights in the forecast). A few had dried up, but considering we had times when it never got below freezing for 4 or 5 days, and considering the last week before we pulled taps had several days that hit 80 deg F, I was impressed. A friend tapped in early February and gave us the sap. His taps dried up in two or three weeks.
The Evolution
2015 - 2x4 flat pan on block arch, 2016 added dividers for continuous flow
2017 - 2x6 Sunrise Pan (4' Flue, 2' Syrup) on homemade arch with AUF, 2018 added AOF
2019 - Sunrise water jacketed bottler