HowardR: I can remember below zero days in March! But then again, maybe I'm admitting that I am getting old!!!!!
HowardR: I can remember below zero days in March! But then again, maybe I'm admitting that I am getting old!!!!!
115 red maples on vacuum
100 taps on 5/16 gravity
35 taps on 3/16 gravity
50 taps on shurflo vacuum
about 60 buckets on giant roadside sugars
neighbor bringing from 45 taps
30'x 8' Aof/Auf Evaporator
Homemade 125gph Ro
Lots of Homemade Equipment!
http://s848.photobucket.com/albums/a...%20Sugarshack/
Nice pictures Sugarmaker! My friends have taken more of an interest this year besides the “can i have a bottle”. Had a couple hang out last wkend and showing 2 more tomorrow the whole process. I did offer up a bottle to anyone that comes and hangs out. Free syrup always works.
I’m sitting on 10 gallons of almost syrup. Another 50 gallons of 6% post RO sap and 185 gallons of sap waiting to be collected. Its going to be a busy few days. Thankfully Im off on fridays and can knock a bunch out this wkend. Then it looks to freeze up for a few days.
Im dreading the filtering process...so much syrup and only 2 cone filters. Next years upgrade will be a better filtering process.
HelpTheOld....let me know if u need help. I forget when you said your leaving for a few days. I can boil if you dont get it done.
Maple producers in the Somerset County area will be having an open house as part of the Somerset Maple Producers Association Maple Weekend on March 9 and 10. For details go to:
http://somersetcountymaple.org/maple-weekend.html
By the way, Andy Kinter of 2440 Musser Rd, Indiana PA will also be participating with an open house from 1 to 4pm on both March 9 and 10.
My son and I will be visiting several maple producers on the afternoon of March 9 -- looking for ideas for the sugar shack we're planning to build this summer. Maybe we'll see some of you there!
Last edited by HowardR; 03-01-2019 at 09:00 AM.
680 5/16 taps on gravity
red and sugar maples
2 Homemade ROs
Stovetop evaporator
Filter press by Daryl
Star San Tube Pump
Drying rack for hydrometer
Loves tapping in snow
Finally got around to finishing up a few batches. Ended w 7.5 gallons. Cleaned everything and prepped for the cold spell.
6D3E14AC-0368-499C-B914-2D60027730C9.jpg
The open house sounds interesting.
Would be nice to maybe go learn something. Any suggestions which farm (s?) to maybe visit?
680 5/16 taps on gravity
red and sugar maples
2 Homemade ROs
Stovetop evaporator
Filter press by Daryl
Star San Tube Pump
Drying rack for hydrometer
Loves tapping in snow
Well global warming has got the best of me. Only had 25 gallons sap in the tank after two days of the pump on. I decided to dump the sap and finish my front pan. We filtered and bottled today another 10 gallons and a pint. That put us at 19 gallons and a pint for the season. Looks like I'm done. Giving my rear pan sweet to my coworker tomorrow. It was 18 gallons at 4.5%. Probably start looking for sheds and turkeys. Good luck to you guys!
136 on high vacuum for 2019
A&A 2X8, raised flue evaporator
hood, parallel flow pre heater and air over fire
12X28 sugar shack
GaryR,
We should have good weather this weekend. Hope you get up this way to stop in and visit.
Today was maple candy day. Cheryl and I made 1.75 gallons of Amber into some nice leaves and hearts!
Took it to 241 F
Next will be crystal coating and then on to the secret process for visitors to our sugarhouse for the NW PA Maple Taste and Tour March 16th and 17th (www.pamaple.org)
Regards,
Chris
Casbohm Maple and Honey
625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
12" SIRO Filter Press.
2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
Too many Cub Cadets
Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck
www.mapleandhoney.com
I'm 2/3 of the way to my record syrup year. Here's the proportion of the syrup that I've made so far from each of this year's 4 runs:
1. 11% - Feb. 3-8 (I was tapping during the run.)
2. 20% - Feb. 12-15
3. 57% - Feb. 21-24
4. 12% - Feb. 27-March 2
I'm hoping that the run that starts on Saturday will be as big as the Feb. 21-24 run. If so, I'll set a new record. If not, then, given the forecast, it's because my taps are healing.
Last edited by HowardR; 03-04-2019 at 10:48 AM.
680 5/16 taps on gravity
red and sugar maples
2 Homemade ROs
Stovetop evaporator
Filter press by Daryl
Star San Tube Pump
Drying rack for hydrometer
Loves tapping in snow
I think the forecast looks just great for making syrup starting about Saturday or Sunday (March 8,9th). Then looks favorable for the rest of March. We will see how the taps hold up. Hoping by changing the drops and spouts and the cold temps it will still be a good year.
Regards,
Chris
Casbohm Maple and Honey
625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
12" SIRO Filter Press.
2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
Too many Cub Cadets
Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck
www.mapleandhoney.com