Last Saturday I tested my unfrozen sap...it was at 3.7%. Then I melted enough ice to fill a five gallon bucket...it was at 1.5%. Definitely still worth boiling in my mind. Common practice? I guess it's hard for me to throw out ice that will give me syrup!Originally Posted by Keitha333
Last edited by Suburban Maple Man; 03-07-2017 at 09:15 PM.
I will be boiling ice it seems! Thanks!
IMG_6098.jpgIMG_6098.jpgtnLooking like things are about over for me in Anoka county. Working on my last boil of 45 gallons. Bottled 300 ounces of syrup so far this season. Also upgraded from my turkey fryer from last year to my homemade block arch. Attached pics of my syrup and arch from this season IMG_6102.jpgIMG_6102.jpg
Last edited by Joeyhowe; 03-08-2017 at 10:31 AM. Reason: Forgot to add a picture
Nice, how do you like your arch is it faster than the fryer? I am using a small ro with 2 fryers but am thing about building an arch.
Mike
Home made RO thanks to MapleTrader
2 LP fish fryers
2013 5 gallons syrup
2014 14 gallons syrup
I just threw the block arch together really quick and made a 24x24x8 flat pan at work outta stainless. It works great. Has a nice draw up the chimney so it don't smoke out the front. I have a pretty wooded lot with access to a lot of firewood so that's a plus for me. With a decent fire I can boil down 30-35 gallons a day that's not tending the fire 24/7 and not sun up to sun down so my numbers aren't all that accurate. It beats the heck out of paying for propane I know that much lol
Why do you think its over? The trees will run again once it warms up, or have you had enough fun for a year?
We packed up because of the tornado watch. I had a funny feeling about it when one of the kids mentioned it at 2 or so. Glad I did, storm hit about 15 minutes after I was able to shut the doors and tidy everything up. The tornado started about 1 1/2 to 2 miles away and went north so maple land survived for me but some people got hit hard. It buzzed grandpas house As close as a block away on Ann Lake but thankfully no damage. Lots of roof, pole barn and tree damage here but haven't heard of any major injuries so that's good. We did make a record 312 12oz bottles though so pretty happy about that.
March 2011- my brain had a weird spark
3 taps then 14
2012- 35 taps
2013-GBM 2x4 150 taps
2014- Custom 2x10
2015- Smoky Lake 2x2 syrup 2x8 drop flue
2016- turbo 2000 and 36 cfm sihi 500 taps,
2017- SL filter and bottler
Wow, that has to be a ultimate sugaring experience having to shut down due to a tornado. I'm glad to hear that you, your family and sugar trees are ok and safe.
Sugaring for 45+ years
New Sugarhouse 14'x32'
New to Me Algier 2'x8' wood fired evaporator
2022 added a used RB25 RO Bucket
250 mostly Sugar Maples, 15% Soft Maples. Currently,(110on 3/16" and 125 on Shurflo 4008 vacuum, 15 gravity), (16,000 before being disabled)
1947 Farmall H and Wagon with gathering tank
2012 Kubota with forks to move wood around
To be honest I was scared sapless!
March 2011- my brain had a weird spark
3 taps then 14
2012- 35 taps
2013-GBM 2x4 150 taps
2014- Custom 2x10
2015- Smoky Lake 2x2 syrup 2x8 drop flue
2016- turbo 2000 and 36 cfm sihi 500 taps,
2017- SL filter and bottler
Have only two days of sap running so far this year. Next run looks like next week on Thursday. So far boiled 100 gals. New homemade arch works good. First two pics last Saturday and 3rd. pic. Sunday. Typical Mn.
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Last edited by SYRUP FREAK; 03-09-2017 at 09:41 AM.
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