+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 23

Thread: Should I build an RO

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Covington, New York
    Posts
    1,680

    Default

    I have only used my new RO twice and am amazed at the time it has already saved. In the two times I used it I have saved an estimated 14 hours in total processing time between ROing and boiling for 315 gallons of sap. That amount of sap would normally take 22.5 hours of boiling at an average rate of 14 gph from lighting the match to shut down. The time it took to boil the concentrate after ROing was 5.5 hours. 17 hours saved in actual boiling time. That is a ton of wood saved and a lot of sleep gained.

    You will find it will be worth firing it up with way less than 70 gallons if it is concentrate. Sounds like you will be tripling tap count for next year. I have no problem firing my rig up with 20-30 gallons and have even fired it up with 10-15 gallons if the sweet has been sitting for a period of time without any major runs. I will still probably continue to do that if runs are not big enough to push through the RO

    I had planned on building an RO this coming off season, but I got impatient with the abundance of low sugar sap this season so far and went ahead and bought one.
    Noel Good
    1998 to 2009: 15 taps on buckets, scavenged fire pit and pans
    2010: New 2x4 SS flat pan w/preheater
    2015: New to me Lapierre 18x60 raised flue, new shack, new everything!! 59 taps 23.75 gallons
    2016: 85 taps 19 gallons
    2017: Purchased 2.5 acres and tubed half with 3/16. 145 taps total 49.25 gallons
    2018: 200 taps (162 on 3/16ths 38 on buckets) New NextGen RO 63 gallons
    2019: 210 taps 73.5 gallons
    2023: 210 taps 89.75 gallons
    www.wnybass.com

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Bedford, NH
    Posts
    139

    Default

    Absolutely! The homemade RO I built using plans on Mapletrader was the best thing i ever did. Second best thing was the shurflo hobby vac setups.

    For a hobbyist like me, with a day job it helps to keep up.

    Bill
    2016-2018, 50 taps on hobby vacuum, boiling outdoors on the Mason 2x3.
    49 taps 2015, mix of hobby vacuum and gravity, boiling outdoors on the Mason 2x3.
    42+4 taps 2014, still on a WF Mason 2x3 Hobby Evaporator
    43 taps 2013 on a WF Mason 2x3 Hobby Evaporator
    10 taps 2012

    Follow along on our sugaring adventures at our website:
    http://littlecreekmaplefarm.com

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Mi
    Posts
    121

    Default

    Build it and they will come. Or is it build it and the sap will run.
    Smoky lake full pint on my leader half pint arch
    110 taps on 3/16 vacuum tubing
    Homemade RO sapinator

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Rock Creek, NC
    Posts
    5,807

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Greenthumb View Post
    Build it and they will come. Or is it build it and the sap will run.
    The sap may not run. The year that I got my RO and vacuum the season started in mid March and lasted 2 weeks. The vacuum has been a season saver every year since 2005 and the RO has been the freedom machine that lets me get other things done while it's taking the water out of the sap.
    Russ

    "Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!

    1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
    A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
    Four chainsaws and no chickens!

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Covington, New York
    Posts
    1,680

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Russell Lampron View Post
    The sap may not run. The year that I got my RO and vacuum the season started in mid March and lasted 2 weeks. The vacuum has been a season saver every year since 2005 and the RO has been the freedom machine that lets me get other things done while it's taking the water out of the sap.

    Freedom Machine............I like it!!
    Noel Good
    1998 to 2009: 15 taps on buckets, scavenged fire pit and pans
    2010: New 2x4 SS flat pan w/preheater
    2015: New to me Lapierre 18x60 raised flue, new shack, new everything!! 59 taps 23.75 gallons
    2016: 85 taps 19 gallons
    2017: Purchased 2.5 acres and tubed half with 3/16. 145 taps total 49.25 gallons
    2018: 200 taps (162 on 3/16ths 38 on buckets) New NextGen RO 63 gallons
    2019: 210 taps 73.5 gallons
    2023: 210 taps 89.75 gallons
    www.wnybass.com

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    14

    Default

    Thank you all for the great responses. I think next year will definitely be time to get one and free up some time!

    Thanks

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    14

    Default

    Another quick question. Does the shelf life of the RO concentrate change compared to sap? Didnt know with the higher sugar content if it would spoil faster

    Thanks

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Campbellford, on
    Posts
    682

    Default

    ROing Drastically reduces it shelf life. RO’s not only concentrates sugar they concentrates bacteria and also warms the sap. A perfect recipe for rampant microorganism growth. Concentrate needs to be boiled within hours unless you have a way to cool it down like a working milk tank.
    Maple Rock Farm
    www.Maplerockfarm.ca
    400 taps on Vacuum
    18”x60” Lapierre propane evaporator with Smokey Lake auto draw off
    Homemade 3 post RO with MES membranes
    Ford TS110 tractor sap hauler

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    14

    Default

    Thanks, that's what i figured but just wanted to make sure i was thinking correctly

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Pleasant Mount, PA
    Posts
    1

    Default

    I am about to buy a 4 x40 ss clamp style RO membrane housing. Prices for the housings vary widely by mfgr and supplier, with eBay the cheapest. Are they different or, as I suspect they all come from the same plant in China? This may be important if O-rings, end caps or clamp need replacing. Anyone with experience here?

    Far Afield Farmer

+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts