Hi All,
I have about 40 taps for home use syrup. I have access to some craigslist barrels that held tomatoes.
Would you use these for collection and if so, what cleaning approach would you suggest prior to use?
Thanks in Advance
Hi All,
I have about 40 taps for home use syrup. I have access to some craigslist barrels that held tomatoes.
Would you use these for collection and if so, what cleaning approach would you suggest prior to use?
Thanks in Advance
2014-2017 - 3 taps - open fire boil
2018 - 33 taps on 3/16 20" Hg, 3 buckets, barrel evaporator, RO Bucket
2019 - 41 taps on 3/16" 20" Hg, 4 buckets, barrel evaporator, RO-Bucket Kit (3x400 gpd)
When I was first starting out I thought of using used collection barrels but in the end I always went with new. Its a bit more upfront cost but no risk of off flavors.
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
You can never go wrong with getting new. You will be happier in the end spending the extra money for new. I can't imagine buying used and going to all that work and finding out your syrup has a off flavor taste.
My first three barrels were lidded-top 55 gal drums and had held tomatoes. They were perfect for what I needed and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. There was zero off smell or flavor. If you can verify with a label that you are the second user and the first use was a food, you should be good to go.
Woodville Maples
www.woodvillemaples.com
www.facebook.com/woodvillemaples
Around 300 taps on tubing, 25+ on buckets if I put them out
Mix of natural and mechanical vac, S3 Controller from Mountain Maple
2x6 W.F. Mason with Phaneuf pans
Deer Run 250 RO
Ford F350
6+ hives of bees (if they make it through the winters)
Keeping the day job until I can start living the dream.
When I was researching this I came across a thread where someone was asking about olive barrels and the potential to impart an off-flavour to the syrup. Someone chimed in that they had used them and had no impact on the flavour or smell of the syrup. I can't quite find the thread though... but if that is the case I would also think the tomatoes would be fine.
______________________________
2023 -30 trees -24 vacuum, 6 buckets. ~1,845 L sap; Syrup count: 49.25L
2022 -30 trees -24 vacuum, 6 buckets. ~1,530 L sap; Syrup count: 48.65L
2021 -29 trees -23 vacuum, 6 buckets. ~1240 L sap; 34.5L of syrup
2020 -30 trees 32 taps. ~900 L sap; 27.1L Syrup.
2019 -27 trees 31 taps. ~725 L sap; 22.2L Syrup.
2018 -19 Trees 20 taps. ~750 L sap; 18 L Syrup
2017 -4 trees 4 taps. ~60 L sap; 1.5 L Syrup
I have been using some pickled pepper barrels for about 6 years and have never noticed an off flavor in the syrup. Not saying it isn't there, but I have never noticed it. Nobody has commented either. The barrels still smell like pickled peppers every spring when I open them back up but the smell goes away pretty quick.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
50 taps all on buckets
Home made 20" x 52" evaporator
Thanks for all your replies. I inquired about the barrels and the seller said he is close with the supplier of his barrels. The barrels originally held tomatoes, however, the tomatoes are packed in a plastic liner so the tomatoes don't actually touch the barrel interior. I'll go check out the barrels as soon as I shovel the 20" of snow from around my trailer.
2014-2017 - 3 taps - open fire boil
2018 - 33 taps on 3/16 20" Hg, 3 buckets, barrel evaporator, RO Bucket
2019 - 41 taps on 3/16" 20" Hg, 4 buckets, barrel evaporator, RO-Bucket Kit (3x400 gpd)
I might want to check to see why a liner was used...it's possible the barrel was not made for direct food contact, or it held something else in an earlier life?
Wow you guys got pounded with this last storm. Yikes
John Allin
14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.
did you ever get to check these out?