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Thread: Eastern Ontario 2018

  1. #91
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    North Grenville
    Posts
    1,476

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Maplelane1 View Post
    Thank you both for the tips!

    I didn't bottle at 185. Once the sap was finished I removed from heat then prepared the jars... Clearly a mistake. I won't do that this year. I also did not use a hydrotherm... Do i need one? I mean, if I tell my wife I have to buy something a stranger on-line told me to she'll give me that look.
    FWIW I would still sterilize absolutely brand-new bottles and lids....they usually have a little bit of an unplesant scent anyway so a rinse under hot water won't hurt. If you're going to bottle straight off the fire,then yes you probably can go right into the jars/bottles/jugs - but you should still check the density first with a therm before doing so. But if you're going to reheat syrup from cold, watch out for going over 190.

    I think most here would say yes, you do need a hydrotherm, cause if your density is off you'll either get syrup finishing too hot and too dense, which will then crystallize on you. Nothing wrong with that, still perfectly edible and can always melt out the crystals with warm fresh sap or distilled water. NO TAP WATER.

    Or you will get syrup that is too thin, too watery, and thus could host unwanted bacteria - I know the only batch in recent memory that molded on me, once sealed, was a batch (a very small one, like 500ml) that I knew had thermed out a bit low.

    The rest of you here can explain the mysteries of the hydrotherm as I will be in yoga school tonight and pretty much all weekend. I think Big_Eddy has a Hydrotherm 101 on his page, take a look. And BruceL is a 7th generation sugarer, he can share his knowledge with you too. Check too in other forums on this site. Good luck!

    ETA:here's an old thread you may want to check out

    http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...with-questions
    Last edited by Galena; 02-23-2018 at 03:58 PM.
    Been tapping since 2008.
    2018 - 17 taps/7 trees...819l sap, approx 28l syrup
    2019 - 18 taps/8 trees...585l sap, 28l syrup...21:1 ratio
    2020 - 18 taps/8 trees...890.04l sap...gave away about 170l, 30l snafu'd....23l total for me from approx 690l
    2021 - 18 taps/8 trees...395l sap, 12 l syrup
    2022 - 18 taps/8 trees....7 sugars 1 red due to #2 having surgery so had the season off....582l sap, 18.5l syrup
    2023 - 18 taps/8 trees...all sugars again. 807l sap, so far approx 14l syrup

  2. #92
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Havelock Ontario Canada
    Posts
    164

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    Hey maplelane
    I'm Jeff I'm just over in Havelock so we pretty much nieghbors.
    To answer your question yes u need a thermometer BUT I suggest a Hydotherm.
    A thermometer will give u a close read ing depending on boiling point of water on the giving day you are finishing your syrup.
    Boiling point of water fluctuates with barimetric pressure and a few degrees can make a big difference.

    Buy a hydrotherm and test cup very accurate easy to use.
    It works at any temperature to tell u when your syrup is at correct brix.
    Co Op on hwy7 can hook you up for 50 bucks.
    Best investment u could make.
    They also have EVERYTHING you need bottles,filters,taps and even a book or 2 that's well worth a new Mapler's time to read.
    Or you can post here or pm me any questions
    Last edited by JeffB; 02-23-2018 at 04:35 PM.
    2015 First yr 50 taps, Oiltank arch 2x4 Flat bottom pan, 12 gallons finished
    2016 New 2x4 arch ,Patrick Phenuef 2x4 hybrid pan, 80 taps on mainlines 33 on jugs
    2016 5200 iters of Sap. 31 Gallons finished Great Year!
    2017 105 taps all on gravity and main lines (Feb 20)

    MF135 tractor
    Honda Foreman Atv
    Homemade sap collector wagon with 400 liter tank
    2 Stainless steel 1000 liter storage totes
    Timber King log splitter

  3. #93
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Havelock Ontario Canada
    Posts
    164

    Default

    OH ! And may say that the "look" will never stop once the maple bug has bitten you.. May I suggest the saying "Yes honey! But all the other syrup makers have 1" lol
    Almost 5 yrs into it I still get the "look"
    2015 First yr 50 taps, Oiltank arch 2x4 Flat bottom pan, 12 gallons finished
    2016 New 2x4 arch ,Patrick Phenuef 2x4 hybrid pan, 80 taps on mainlines 33 on jugs
    2016 5200 iters of Sap. 31 Gallons finished Great Year!
    2017 105 taps all on gravity and main lines (Feb 20)

    MF135 tractor
    Honda Foreman Atv
    Homemade sap collector wagon with 400 liter tank
    2 Stainless steel 1000 liter storage totes
    Timber King log splitter

  4. #94
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Prince Edward County, Ontario
    Posts
    4

    Default My two cents

    This is only my 4th season and I started with a cinder block arch and roasting pans as well. I do not yet have a hydrotherm but use a thermometer. We bring it close on the fire then pull it off. Finish it in the garage on an induction plate and stock pot. For your finishing temp which is close to me but you are higher than me in the county I use saptapapps.com/boiltemp/. As for jarring (I use mason jars), Well you can, so you know all about those steps, i never have a problem and if we question any of it being too thin by looks we boil on the plate or bbq a little more and re jar. I jar when it's hot and my jars were in the boiling water and pour through a filter to make sure there is no sugar sand. I store the jars in the freezer.

    That's my process and it keeps changing and refining. My two cents for under 75 taps in the county.

  5. #95
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Eastern Ontario
    Posts
    53

    Default

    I sincerely appreciate everyone's input, advice and suggested reading - thank you. Big_Eddy is a wealth of knowledge - thanks for that lead, Galena.

    I'm going to take you up one your offer, Jeff, stay tuned ! For now I'm reading, digesting info and ... anxious to get going ! I put in 7 taps today after work, in the rain, and plan more for tomorrow.

    Run sap run!

  6. #96
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Eastern Ontario - Inverary
    Posts
    249

    Default

    Excited to introduce our new homemade evaporator
    IMG_7495.jpg
    Trying to save money from our propane setup..
    2 acres of sugar maples. Woodburning arch with small evaporator and propane burners with steamer pans Year 5.

    2015 - 35 taps on 30 trees. 1556 L sap and 44L syrup!
    2016 - 42 taps on 40 trees. 2274 L sap and 64L syrup!
    2017 - 37 taps on 36 trees. 1573 L sap and 47L syrup!
    2018 - 33 taps on 32 trees. 2314 L sap and 53L syrup!
    2019 - 30 taps on 29 trees. 1640L sap and 51 L syrup!
    2020 - 31 taps on 30 trees. 760 L + stopped counting sap and 25 L syrup!

  7. #97
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Frankford, Ontario
    Posts
    1,045

    Default

    9 times out of 10 mouldy syrup was under density. The thermometer will get you close but only if you correct for the daily boiling point. If you do stick with the thermometer then add 1/2 a degree F to be sure. Thicker syrup has a better mouth feel anyway.
    Big_Eddy
    Eastern Ontario (Quinte)
    20+ years on a 2x3 block arch,
    Homemade 20"x64" drop flue since 2011

    Build a Block Arch
    Build a Flat Pan
    Build a Flue Pan
    Sweetening the Pans
    Build a Bending Brake
    Using a Hydrotherm
    How much Sap to Sweeten?

  8. #98
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    1,930

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lespetras View Post
    Excited to introduce our new homemade evaporator.
    Trying to save money from our propane setup..
    Fabulous! I'm so jealous!
    ~ Karen ~

    2012 - 10 taps, 1 turkey fryer - 169.5L sap 4.2 L syrup
    2013 - 23 taps, 2 turkey fryers - 748.5 L sap 17.56 L syrup

    2014 - 22 taps, 509 L sap 12.5 L syrup
    2015 - 28 taps, 1093.75 L sap 25.1 L syrup
    2016 - 25 taps, 1223.5 L sap 28.25 L syrup
    2017 - 21 taps, 518.5 L sap 12.7 L syrup
    2018 - 28 taps, 2 turkey fryers & Denali 3 burner propane stove - 798L sap 16.9 L syrup
    2019 - 28 taps, 1409.5L sap 40.12L syrup

    Sugar, Norway, Manitoba, Silver and Freeman Maples



  9. #99
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Eastern Ontario - Inverary
    Posts
    249

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Run Forest Run! View Post
    Fabulous! I'm so jealous!
    Yes Karen,
    We had to go for it.. I looked at the Costco set up... but gonna wait to see what happens with this first... hope it has the same stamina
    2 acres of sugar maples. Woodburning arch with small evaporator and propane burners with steamer pans Year 5.

    2015 - 35 taps on 30 trees. 1556 L sap and 44L syrup!
    2016 - 42 taps on 40 trees. 2274 L sap and 64L syrup!
    2017 - 37 taps on 36 trees. 1573 L sap and 47L syrup!
    2018 - 33 taps on 32 trees. 2314 L sap and 53L syrup!
    2019 - 30 taps on 29 trees. 1640L sap and 51 L syrup!
    2020 - 31 taps on 30 trees. 760 L + stopped counting sap and 25 L syrup!

  10. #100
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    1,930

    Default

    I'll report in on how well it is working when I start boiling this week. I trust you will do the same.
    ~ Karen ~

    2012 - 10 taps, 1 turkey fryer - 169.5L sap 4.2 L syrup
    2013 - 23 taps, 2 turkey fryers - 748.5 L sap 17.56 L syrup

    2014 - 22 taps, 509 L sap 12.5 L syrup
    2015 - 28 taps, 1093.75 L sap 25.1 L syrup
    2016 - 25 taps, 1223.5 L sap 28.25 L syrup
    2017 - 21 taps, 518.5 L sap 12.7 L syrup
    2018 - 28 taps, 2 turkey fryers & Denali 3 burner propane stove - 798L sap 16.9 L syrup
    2019 - 28 taps, 1409.5L sap 40.12L syrup

    Sugar, Norway, Manitoba, Silver and Freeman Maples



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