2019 Tapping in Western Pennsylvania

[Chuck c]

HowardR, Tim has a friend Eric that also lives in Sunnyside. He was probably talking about him. I'm very new at this. Last year was my first try I made a pint. Is your operation at your house? Never seen anyone around here have an operation that big.

[helptheold]

Spent the past few days pulling sap out of the woods, running the RO almost 24/7 and getting the kinks worked out with my new pan. Everything's running smoothly now but I'm kind of glad we're in a cold snap as I need a break!

[HowardR]

Chuck C and Moeferg,

I've sent you private messages inviting you to visit my farm on Friday to see my operation. I would invite you on Thursday, but, according to the latest forecast, a huge run starts that day and I'll probably spend most of the day in the woods looking for leaks, improving the flow, and putting out a few additional taps.

I am not a modern maple syrup producer. I started off as a hobbyist with buckets about 35 years ago and I've been expanding little by little ever since. I use old fashioned equipment and techniques that no modern producer would ever dream of starting with. I invent new ways of doing things to keep myself enthusiastic and make each season better than the last one.

If you want to learn good technique, you won't learn it from me. You should visit Andy Kinter in Marion Center. He sells maple syrup supplies and is welcoming to visitors. Everything he does is well researched and extremely productive. His family has been making maple syrup forever. They travel to learn the latest techniques. And he gets the most sap possible from every tap.

Howard

[Sugarmaker]

Howard,
Sounds like your having a grand time making syrup! I am sure some of your techniques and inventions would be well recieved too. Most of us old timers are still trying to learn about this syrup thing! Andy is a good guy! Tell him I said hi!
Regards,
Chris

[HowardR]

Howard,
Sounds like your having a grand time making syrup! I am sure some of your techniques and inventions would be well recieved too. Most of us old timers are still trying to learn about this syrup thing! Andy is a good guy! Tell him I said hi!
Regards,
Chris

Thank you Chris. You can find three of my latest inventions (my homemade RO, my stovetop evaporator and my Star San tube pump) under my signature. I've described them all in threads here at mapletrader.com.

[Sugarmaker]

Howard,
Your stove top evaporator/s are the prototypes for the all electric evaporator! Nice.
Regards,
Chris

[deacm]

Tapping Weather Opinion? I'm in Edinboro, PA with 60 buckets and trying to decide whether to tap at the end of this week (Feb 21st) for the 3-4 days that appear favorable.......or wait for that next cold spell to go through (Feb 25-Mar 5) for 10 days and then tap after that, where it looks to be 40 H and 20 L for almost two weeks. Opinions? Thanks

[Sugarmaker]

Deac,
Must make syrup now!
Regards,
Chris

[sbedilion]

Tapping Weather Opinion? I'm in Edinboro, PA with 60 buckets and trying to decide whether to tap at the end of this week (Feb 21st) for the 3-4 days that appear favorable.......or wait for that next cold spell to go through (Feb 25-Mar 5) for 10 days and then tap after that, where it looks to be 40 H and 20 L for almost two weeks. Opinions? Thanks

I'm south of pittsburgh and I'm tapped. If you tap now....your weather looks good for the next week before it freezes for a few days. I'd tap now....get your first run in the books....then when things freeze for a few days, you can get caught up and prepared with then things thaw. I think most of us are tapped. But it also depends on your schedule and free time. I tend to tap early and wrap up early....too many spring hobbies to be boiling when the days are nice

[sbedilion]

Deac,
Must make syrup now!
Regards,
Chris

hahahaha.