Started boiling yesterday. Got through 35 gal of sap, collected 30+ gallons this morning and it is still running. Going to be a busy week.
Started boiling yesterday. Got through 35 gal of sap, collected 30+ gallons this morning and it is still running. Going to be a busy week.
2014 - 6 Taps (and some borrowed sap) - Barrel evaporator - 1 1/2 Gallons syrup
2015 - 30 taps - block arch -7.5 gallons syrup
2016 - 20 taps- fire bricked arch - 5 gallons syrup
2017 - 20 Taps- still boiling outside - 5 gallons of syrup
2018 - 30 Taps - Mason 2x4 XL inside Garage - 10 gal. syrup
2022 - 12 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal syrup
2023 - 16 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal Syrup
2024 - 16 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal syrup
No taps in yet in 2024 , and I think the frog peepers that have been chirping away for the last 3 days are telling me this season is over. In all previous years , for me in Dutchess County NY, I usually put my taps in this first week of March. 12 taps and last year I got 3 gallons of sap. Now I am wishing I didn't give away so much syrup in 2023 It seems like I've got to change my game and get an earlier start in the future
Is anyone in my area in the same boat, or have you all brought in a lot of sap in February 2024?
--Peter
I set 16 taps on Feb. 19. Collected 96 gallons of sap so far but have had nothing since the 1st. Checked the buckets at noon today and nothing from the silvers and reds, sugars were just starting to drip. Was hoping for one more run but not holding my breath. Looks like I'll finish and bottle what I have tomorrow.
2014 - 6 Taps (and some borrowed sap) - Barrel evaporator - 1 1/2 Gallons syrup
2015 - 30 taps - block arch -7.5 gallons syrup
2016 - 20 taps- fire bricked arch - 5 gallons syrup
2017 - 20 Taps- still boiling outside - 5 gallons of syrup
2018 - 30 Taps - Mason 2x4 XL inside Garage - 10 gal. syrup
2022 - 12 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal syrup
2023 - 16 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal Syrup
2024 - 16 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal syrup
Hi
Put in 10 taps today. Lost one of my large maples in 2024-- will make great firewood. Hoping we have a great season. I especially look forward to this season since I waited too long last year and made nothing!
We will be out tapping tomorrow. Today we are cleaning tanks and making adjustments to the equipment. Should be warm enough to break out the pressure washer and garden hose without everything freezing up like it had all last week..
Gary / Zena Crossroads / 42˚ 00' 24" N / Hobby in Early '70s, Addiction since 2014
225+ taps on 3/16 (90 of which are on two Lunchbox Vac/Releasers)
12x34 timber framed sap house w/attached 10x34 shed roof for storage
2 x 6 Smoky Lake hybrid pan on oil fired Corsair arch with steam hood/concentric exhaust/auto draw-off
7.0 KW Sun Power PV System, Smokey Lake Filter Press/Steam Bottler, Modified NGMP RO - 2 4x40 posts 200 gph
Put out 20 taps and buckets yesterday. A few trees were showing signs of dripping. Should get a run this week.
2014 - 6 Taps (and some borrowed sap) - Barrel evaporator - 1 1/2 Gallons syrup
2015 - 30 taps - block arch -7.5 gallons syrup
2016 - 20 taps- fire bricked arch - 5 gallons syrup
2017 - 20 Taps- still boiling outside - 5 gallons of syrup
2018 - 30 Taps - Mason 2x4 XL inside Garage - 10 gal. syrup
2022 - 12 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal syrup
2023 - 16 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal Syrup
2024 - 16 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal syrup
First boil yesterday, enough to sweeten the pan. 1/4 of my sap was frozen in the barrel.
2014 - 6 Taps (and some borrowed sap) - Barrel evaporator - 1 1/2 Gallons syrup
2015 - 30 taps - block arch -7.5 gallons syrup
2016 - 20 taps- fire bricked arch - 5 gallons syrup
2017 - 20 Taps- still boiling outside - 5 gallons of syrup
2018 - 30 Taps - Mason 2x4 XL inside Garage - 10 gal. syrup
2022 - 12 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal syrup
2023 - 16 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal Syrup
2024 - 16 Taps - Smokey Lake Star Cat evaporator - 2 gal syrup
Very cold. My permeate tank is frozen solid. Waiting for the warm up today and next few days.
Gary / Zena Crossroads / 42˚ 00' 24" N / Hobby in Early '70s, Addiction since 2014
225+ taps on 3/16 (90 of which are on two Lunchbox Vac/Releasers)
12x34 timber framed sap house w/attached 10x34 shed roof for storage
2 x 6 Smoky Lake hybrid pan on oil fired Corsair arch with steam hood/concentric exhaust/auto draw-off
7.0 KW Sun Power PV System, Smokey Lake Filter Press/Steam Bottler, Modified NGMP RO - 2 4x40 posts 200 gph
My 10 taps were not performing well when I put them in on on 2/22/25. I wanted to make syrup asap so I boiled what I had on 2/26 and got a little over a pint of syrup. Really dismal action from 2/26 until today (3/6/25) , but now I am seeing a lot of activity from the taps. I may boil again tomorrow. I think the next 5 days will be really good in the southern Hudson Valley, if the weather does what they say it will. I'm a happy camper!
BTW, I am most likely moving south so this will be my last year sugaring. Keep an eye out for my classified post on Maple Trader to sell my hobby setup at the end of March--
three 2-burner Carolina Cooker propane stoves, tubing, double-tank switchover regulator, 3 SS heavy-duty restaurant steam-table trays, buckets and tubing.
Selling a refractometer also.
This is not listed yet since I am using it this season.
I'll have this setup listed in the Maple Trader Classified , probably at the end of March 2025
Happy boiling!
--Peter
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