Tapped in Westfield

[Aaron Stack]

Any others tapping in Westfield this year?

115 gallons collected Monday - Wednesday. First boil last night went through 45 gallons at 8 gph on my 20x30 pan. Focusing on following the stack temp vs timer for firing and getting the process down for the new setup. Wondering how to maintain a good boil with "only" 1000 degree reading. Very little wood was pinning the needle. More boiling and practice tonight before the storm and the weekend temp forecast looks like I might catch up with the sap.

Good luck on the season to everyone.

[berkshires]

Any others tapping in Westfield this year?

Not far from you as the crow flies, but a lot colder up in the foothills at 900 feet. Temps barely pegged lower 50s in this latest run, when I think they were much warmer for you. Sounds like you're off to a great start! Over 2 GTP for just one run, right? Or did you have any trees tapped for the run last week? I came in at 1.5 GPT for each of the first two runs, and I threw away a *lot* of ice (close to half). Certainly saves on boiling time!

Also, you're getting better evaporation than I am, and on a smaller pan. I have a Mason 2x3 and I can get close to 8 GPH, but have never quite hit that mark. So I think you're doing well. I don't have a blower, do you?

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Lucky you on getting both runs. I was finishing up the sugarhouse thanks to my Dad's fantastic help - he's become addicted as well. This was the first run. I tapped Saturday but it was cold through Monday afternoon. It was really all Tuesday and Wednesday's production. I do have a blower but used it on low sparingly. It turned the pan into a volcano but the stack temps were high. I used it for a bit after firing then would turn it off.

The gage readings stop at 1200 so I'd think 1600 (pin temp maybe) - 1800. At 1100 it still boiled but 1200+ it ratcheted up to a nice roar. Good to hear 8 is where it should be. Last year I was in 12-14 range, but did go through two chimneys, hence the focus on stack temps. This one is rated for 1000 continuous and higher depending on the duration.

Still 70 Gallons to go through this weekend and Wednesday forward looks good.

[Aaron Stack]

Haven't collected since Wednesday, but pulled 23 gallons at 2.2 - 3.4% today. 5 gallons at 2% from the Norway at home so it's still going strong

[Aaron Stack]

Quick season. Last collected and boiled yesterday with 6 gallons in the freezer for bottling. Pulling taps and starting cleanup this weekend.

[berkshires]

Six gallons is nothing to sneeze at! I'm still at only 2. Still, why the short season?

GO

[Aaron Stack]

The buds on the reds all popped early in the week and the hot days turned the sap in the tank cloudy. I was surprised to see the sap in the warming pan go from clear Tuesday evening to a gooey, cloudy soup by Wednesday morning. I only collected 7 gallons from the 23 high producing sugars Wednesday and used that to push a final half gallon out of the pan.

I'm happy with it, but was shooting for 10. I have about 5 gallons of sweet in the freezer to finish off on the turkey fryer so I'll get a little more.

Learned a lot this season. Sap temperature control will probably be the focus of this year's upgrade. I fought frozen and then spoiling sap so need to work on that. A larger evaporator would also solve that issue

It's Maple Weekend here in Mass so I have plans to visit a few local operations Sunday to see how the bigger folks do it.

[Aaron Stack]

Usually by the time an addict admits things its way out of control - hah! But I'm faced with needing a new laptop and every time I look at them I compare what the cost is to a new maple upgrade. 7 months to go...

[Pdiamond]

Go for the maple upgrade. By the time you get a new laptop it is outdated anyway.

[Aaron Stack]

Taps on the drops and looking at tapping Sunday. Cutting the tap count to 25 on 11 trees but these were my better producers so I might only loose 20% of the sap. I also dumped a good 10% last year so overall a more efficient operation. Two weeks earlier than the first two years and wondering if I'll see a lighter grade.

Happy boiling