Finally got everything packaged. Ended up with 420.5 gallons on 1275 taps. A 26% increase over last year which was an average year at .26 gallons per tap. Now to get everything cleaned up and start planning for next year!
Finally got everything packaged. Ended up with 420.5 gallons on 1275 taps. A 26% increase over last year which was an average year at .26 gallons per tap. Now to get everything cleaned up and start planning for next year!
First introduced to making maple syrup in 1969
Making syrup every year since 1979
3 x 10 oil fired
Revolution syrup and max flue pan
Almost 1300 taps total with 900 on high vacuum
Bought first Marcland drawoff in 1997, still going strong.
Last weekend I packed up the remnants of what was in the pan for my first 10 pints. Dark (dark, dark, dark) with hints of red when held directly in front of the lightbulb, but it's deeeelicious! Broke out last year's turkey fryer propane setup in the backyard to boil down 10 gallons to about 1.25 gallons which topped me out just over 8 for the season.
I called it Gnomish Brew (I have lawn gnomes in the back yard so it's fitting)
IMG_E0725.jpg
2024 - Starting with the 25 then more late Feb.
2023 - 25 taps on 11 trees to focus on the process. 9 Gallons and lots of sugar sand. 35 people over for breakfast in April
2022 - 8 x 14 sugarhouse and a steam bottler. 50 buckets! 9 Gallons syrup and 4 pounds of sugar
2021 - 20 x 30 divided pan on a Mason arch, 34 taps and 8 gallons for family and friends to judge. Dad hooked as well.
2020 - 2 taps, 1/2 pint on a turkey fryer, About 3/4 pint syrup in two weeks - Proof of concept!
Sounds like a great season, Aaron!
GO
2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
2024: 17 taps, 5.3 gals
All on buckets