right now about 765
right now about 765
Put in my first 25 taps (buckets) to test the waters Sunday afternoon in Middlefield/Durham. Waiting a bit longer for my trees in Somers to warm up before going all in. All southern facing taps were running even at freezing, collected 30 gallons Monday. Probably add a few more to catch the next run. Time to clean up the shack and get ready for the weekend fun of boiling. here we go again... Waiting on a new hydrometer and refractometer to come in the mail to see what is flowing this year for sugar...... hopefully its better than the sub 1%s of last year.
1990-2013 - 35+, 7/16, on milk jugs+3gal galv buckets, 55gal drum firebox, 125 year old 10 gallon porcelain pot, outdoor boiling fun.
2014 - 40+ Built a 10x12 sugar shack, new 2x3 Mason.
2015-2023 - 75+ 5/16 Buckets, 3/16 tube, DIY RoBucket, on the mason in the shack, me, the dogs, sometimes the ole'lady, and defiantly a few beers.
This may sound like a silly question but what’s the best way to store syrup once it’s made?
The most common ways for your average backyard operation is either in glass canning jars, or in glass or plastic syrup bottles purchase from an online or local supplier.Originally Posted by ltgferg
If the syrup is finished and packed up hot (~180F) into clean containers with air tight lids it is safe to store and shelf stable. If it's not packed hot or it has not been thru a canning process you will need to store the syrup in the refrigerator.
2017 25 taps on buckets got me hooked 1 gallon of sweet
2018 51 taps on 3/16 tubing/ DIY oil tank evaporator 8.5gallons finished
2019 60 taps 7 gallons finished ended season short
2020 New 2x4 divided pan ready to get away from the headache that is steam table pans
2021 off year due to pandemic and projects
2022 back at it
Agree with the answer given already. For me, an average backyarder, Quart Ball Jars are the best. Visit the 'bottling/ section of the forum for more how toos, theres plenty of info there.
1990-2013 - 35+, 7/16, on milk jugs+3gal galv buckets, 55gal drum firebox, 125 year old 10 gallon porcelain pot, outdoor boiling fun.
2014 - 40+ Built a 10x12 sugar shack, new 2x3 Mason.
2015-2023 - 75+ 5/16 Buckets, 3/16 tube, DIY RoBucket, on the mason in the shack, me, the dogs, sometimes the ole'lady, and defiantly a few beers.
Seems like the weather is in a very kind pattern these last couple weeks. It's the start of another great run. Just in time to boil on the weekend. I'm up to 4.5 gallons finished so far. Hoping to get another 2 by the end of this run.
2017 25 taps on buckets got me hooked 1 gallon of sweet
2018 51 taps on 3/16 tubing/ DIY oil tank evaporator 8.5gallons finished
2019 60 taps 7 gallons finished ended season short
2020 New 2x4 divided pan ready to get away from the headache that is steam table pans
2021 off year due to pandemic and projects
2022 back at it
I just got in from checking all my 58 taps. All are running. Pan is already sweeten' so I'm hoping to finish some out this weekend too.
2024 55 3/16 gravity, 19 5/16 gravity, 40 buckets and bags, RO Bucket rb15 kit, 5ft Phaneuf drop flue evaporator, Mason AUF arch.
2023 35 3/16 gravity, 30 5/16 gravity 53 buckets and bags, RO Bucket rb15 kit, 5ft Phaneuf drop flue evaporator.
Mason AUF arch
2022 35 3/16 gravity, 28 5/16 gravity, 50 buckets and bags, New RO Bucket rb15 kit.
2021 11 on 5/16 gravity, 30 on 3/16 gravity, 69 on buckets and bags. All sugar maples. Mostly large old trees.
I'm a little disappointed with my flow. I have a total of 32 taps with buckets. Was expecting to come home today to a good flow day but if I'm lucky I've got 10 gallons in total. I have a buddy with 7 trees tapped and he gets way more than I do. Feel like I'm doing something wrong maybe not deep enough with the drill? 1.5" deep? Does it matter if they are silver, red or sugar? Most are siver with a few sugar mixed in. Any advice would be appreciated.
I had poor flow today too, though all were flowing, 35 taps, all south facing that gave me 30 gals of sap on sunday, gave me 12 gallons today. (Trees in Middlefield/Durham) I was disappointed with that, I expected more, but the sun wasn't very strong today, Ive always found daily runs to be better (as long as the temp swings are right) on days where the tree trucks warm from solar heat. Were in for a good run by the looks of the next few days forecast… so I wouldn't worry yet. On the down side, I noticed one of my sugar maples has gone yellow already.
1990-2013 - 35+, 7/16, on milk jugs+3gal galv buckets, 55gal drum firebox, 125 year old 10 gallon porcelain pot, outdoor boiling fun.
2014 - 40+ Built a 10x12 sugar shack, new 2x3 Mason.
2015-2023 - 75+ 5/16 Buckets, 3/16 tube, DIY RoBucket, on the mason in the shack, me, the dogs, sometimes the ole'lady, and defiantly a few beers.
I just keep telling myself that the trees are still coming out of a week-long freeze so today's poor showing shouldn't be something to dwell on! Heck, my vacuum system turned on, sap was collected, and now the RO is running so it was a good day!
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