+ Reply to Thread
Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst 1234
Results 31 to 39 of 39

Thread: Illinois tapping

  1. #31
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    I noticed sugar levels are higher as well. This year has been eventful to say the least but we are on track to surpass last year's record year. Thanks to vac lines this year. It is truly crazy how much more sap you get. Had to up my RO to a 4040 just to have a chance at keeping up. So you know what that means....a bigger evaporator.😀
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

    2x4 Divided pan.
    Homemade RO 4x42XLE
    Shurflo 4048 pump

  2. #32
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Peoria, IL
    Posts
    634

    Default

    Hurray for IL syrup! News came out to see me today.

    https://www.centralillinoisproud.com...rup/1866903901
    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

  3. #33
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Naperville IL
    Posts
    21

    Default

    Neat! I filmed the process yesterday for a segment that will air next year on Midwest Outdoors. Looks like it was the last run of the season, so really hope I remembered everything....no time for do-overs!

  4. #34
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Walnut,Il
    Posts
    101

    Default

    Only about half of my lines running today. Still got about 130 gal. Hope to have a few more cold nights to make it through next week.

  5. #35
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Peoria, IL
    Posts
    634

    Default

    Pulled taps yesterday and had last evaporator today. Still need to finish pan sweet on the stove but as of today we are at 63 gallons. A slow start it was this season but March rebounded nicely.

    I kept detailed kitchen notes to see how the introduction of the RO effected our time and water removed. It removed over 1600 gallons water and the savings in operation time and fuel almost paid for the RO in just one season. Cant be upset at that outcome 😁
    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

  6. #36
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Northern Illinois
    Posts
    93

    Default

    Well it is looking like we might be getting close to pulling the plug for this year. We'll see what the trees do the next few days though. We have already made our average gallons of syrup in about half the time so I think the trees are making up for being late.

    Glad to hear you guys are getting some publicity. We were fortunately featured in an article in the Chicago Tribune last year and boy did the phone ring.
    Last edited by MapleMounder; 03-25-2019 at 01:41 PM.
    New To Maple in 09'
    16' x 24' Sugarhouse
    Smoky Lakes Corsair Arch
    2' x4' Smoky Lakes Hybrid Drop Flue Pan
    200 Taps On Bags
    IH 806 Diesel & Allis WD
    2 Horses, Black cattle & Yes Chickens
    An Aussie Named Mable Sugar
    Wife, Kids And A Couple Of Friends To Help!

  7. #37
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Peoria, IL
    Posts
    634

    Default

    Finished boiling down the pan sweet today and the season final total is 73 gallons! This season we focused on efficiency in sap collection (worked on getting better vacuum) and processing efficiency (reverse osmosis). And boy did it pay off.

    Now we finish cleaning up the kitchen and getting equipment ready for storage.

    On April 27 we have our annual Syrup day and pancake breakfast. We do operation tours, classes, kids activities, and of course eat pancakes with pure maple syrup and sell syrup. If anyone is around Peoria then I invite you to stop by and say hello.

    Let me know your final count and how everything turned out.
    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

  8. #38
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Walnut,Il
    Posts
    101

    Default

    I am still collecting, took 300 gal to my sugar shack yesterday from the previous 2 days. Sugar did drop to 1.9 but sap still pretty clear. If we turn colder as predicted I may have one more run.

  9. #39
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Walnut,Il
    Posts
    101

    Default

    Finished collecting today. Ended up with 2300 gal. First time I ran into April. Even tho my volume was down the sugar was higher than previous years.All in all a successful year.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst 1234

Posting Permissions

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