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Thread: Cleaning spiles

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    23

    Default Cleaning spiles

    I got a bucket of spiles - some brand new and some used. They were in with hooks so there is rust on some. I was going to boil, chlorine wash, scrub and rinse. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks.
    Been doing syrup for 37 years
    buckets, spiles, 2 flat pans
    boil off 30 gal/hr
    2019 178 taps
    loving this life

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,547

    Default

    Are the spiles metal or plastic?
    Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
    Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
    Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
    After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    23

    Default

    The spiles are metal
    Been doing syrup for 37 years
    buckets, spiles, 2 flat pans
    boil off 30 gal/hr
    2019 178 taps
    loving this life

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Thetford, VT
    Posts
    450

    Default

    I would soak them in vinegar for a few hours first. The vinegar will help loosen a lot of material.
    Tapping since 1985 (four generations back to early to mid 1900s). 200-250 taps on buckets and then tubing in the mid 90s. 2013- 275 taps w/sap puller 25 gal. 2014-295 taps w/sap puller 55 ga. (re-tapped to vacuum theory) 2015-330 taps full vac. 65 gal, 2016-400 taps 105 gal, 2017-400 taps 95 gal. 2018-additional 800' mainline and maybe 400 new taps for a total near 800 taps. 2x6 Leader WSE (last year on it) supported by a 250 gph RO.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,547

    Default

    If they are galvanized I'd just show them as an example of what was used before they understood the lead issue. If aluminum or SS clean them.
    Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
    Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
    Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
    After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Potsdam in far northern New York
    Posts
    775

    Default

    Hot water and dish detergent like you're doing a stack of nasty pots and pans. You can get a brush that fits your spiles from your maple supplier that will remove any residue. Rinse everything really, really well because soap will leave a bad flavor. When they're all well rinsed, put them on a cookie sheet and into a low oven to sterilize and dry them. Anything that looks bad after cleaning and drying is trash.

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