Birch syrup! Breaking rules but...

[billschi]

Maple season is almost over and it never really stated for me. 235 trees and 5 gallons of syrup. So I'm going to make up for it and try making Birch syrup.
I'm adapting my 2x6 pan so the fire doesn't directly touch the pan. I found some scrap metal so the fire is a tunnel user the pan with firebrick on top to radiate the heat to the pan instead. Yes, it will be slow but I understand that's what's needed. Hopefully it'll be like a big crockpot.
Any inputs for improvements are welcome.
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[Cedar Eater]

It needs to be slow at the end of the boil, not at the beginning. You could probably boil 100 gallons down to five before you would need to slow the boil down to a simmer and approach the final density slowly.

[Austin351]

It needs to be slow at the end of the boil, not at the beginning. You could probably boil 100 gallons down to five before you would need to slow the boil down to a simmer and approach the final density slowly.

Cedar Eater is correct.

[billschi]

It needs to be slow at the end of the boil, not at the beginning. You could probably boil 100 gallons down to five before you would need to slow the boil down to a simmer and approach the final density slowly.

I've read that before but I've also seen to not let it get over 200 F. So, I'm going to play it safe and not risk burning the sap. I also purchased some copper to make an aerator for my pan to keep the sap cool and boost evaporation a bit.
I will maintain an open mind for improvements. I want to do this right.

[NhShaun]

Curious to see how that adapted evaporator will work out for you. The biggest thing that kept me from trying birch syrup is the fact that I'm off the grid and have no running water.. keeping the tanks and buckets clean would be very difficult with the temps when birch syrup is in season. I'll live through you til I get a well on my property.

[billschi]

Curious to see how that adapted evaporator will work out for you. The biggest thing that kept me from trying birch syrup is the fact that I'm off the grid and have no running water.

I too am off grid but I do have a well, no septic. We are 3 miles from any utilities. I also have solar with a generator backup. It's more of a challenge but doable with a well.
I retired 2 1/2 years ago so I have time to babysit this. Plus my bride will help if needed. We'll see how it goes. Will be worth the time invested if I can figure it out.

[Atgreene]

We were at Proctor Maple Research Lab last week and they were boiling birch sap. A couple things I learned.

1. It's not "syrup" like we think of syrup. It's a delicacy for chefs and suvh, but to call it syrup is a disservice to the consumer. They are looking for another name for it to alleviate confusion with anything to do with maple. We'd do well not to call it syrup lest anyone think it's maple related.
2. They had two 3x10 evaporators running side by side boiling it. Can be ro'd, roughly 100 to 1.
3. There's currently no rules or guidelines for birch. No agreed upon consistency or density as to when it's done.
4. It's roughly $75 per quart, if you find a market.

It was an interesting tour, but I can see that I have no interest in birch.

[Atgreene]

Proctor maple lab was running it off two 3x10 evaporators, running wide open. They don't use a double boiler or lower temperature.

[billschi]

Thanks for the info. I don't plan to compare it to Maple syrup. There are so many mixed reviews on it and I really don't want to disappoint. I know a few restaurant owners and people who sell bbq commercially. I intend to give them free samples so they can see what they can come up with. Free samples of a good product sells itself. Something I learn having a business for 25 years. I'm not a very good salesman, I just need a foot in the door.
If it's selling for $75/qt, there's a market. A lot of people make/sell Maple syrup here, not Birch syrup.

[DrTimPerkins]

I had some a friend gave me that he brought back from Alaska. Did not like it at all. Had a bitter finish to it. I guess if you never tried maple syrup you may like it but it wasn't for me.

Birch syrup is altogether different. If you like maple syrup, and you start out comparing it to maple, you're likely to be rather disappointed. It typically isn't used as a topping, but more as an ingredient in foods where you want the strong flavor to come through.