What are NH sugar makers up to

[raptorfan85]

Doing my last boil if the season right now. No freeze in sight and the trees are really slowing down...

[Tmeeeh]

looks like our season is about over. Trees are slowing down, syrup flavor is getting stronger and no more freezing in the forecast. We tapped Feb 2nd and 3rd. 2,300 taps this year. Made 120 gallons of syrup Feb 7th and 8th. then only a few barrels the rest of February. March was also cold with many days where the sap ran for a short time late in the day once the trees and the pipelines thaw. The sap was sweeter than usual. We made lots of nice syrup. So far the yield is just over 1/2 gallon per tap. That is about average for us. New this year is a Maple Experts 3 post reverse osmosis machine. Now we can start the ro machine and start boiling 20 minutes later. We boil 13% brix concentrated sap and the ro can make the concentrate at over 180 gallons/ hour. It just keeps up with our evaporator. The three phase drive on the pressure pump makes it so we can dial in the system pressure we need to keep up with the evaporator depending on the brix and temperature of the raw sap. It also conserves electric demand where our electric entrance is nearly maxed out. Over all a good season but long and cold.

[Dill]

Wow I can't believe you still made 1/2 a gal per tap. I'm going to be lucky if I get a 1/4.

[Tmeeeh]

We are fortunate to be able to take time off our other work to focus on the maple production. Most of our time is spent in the woods particularly in the beginning of the season.

[Dill]

Well I just pulled the plug.....on the woods tank temporarily. Sap was looking cloudy and smelling a bit sour. Figure what the heck dump it and see if we clear up a bit. Its chilly out now, 30 and sleet. Not sure if it will pick up again soon or not.

[CaptT820]

We pulled the plug yesterday. Ended up learning a lot this year, like which runs like the 3/16" tubing and which ones I should've left as 5/16" tubing. Got about 75-80% yield of sap from last year, but higher sugar content almost made up the difference. All in all not a bad year for us, as a little guy making 6.5 gallons of syrup total. This forum is great for learning all sorts of new tricks and techniques that we'll apply next year. Thanks to everyone for helping out.

[Dill]

What an underwhelming few days. Supposed to hit 38 last 2 and 45 today. It’s been 31 grey and cold. Tops of the trees are covered in ice. No sap flow.

[Asa Matras]

A surprising season is what you can call this one. Didnt think of the sap running today but I checked for kicks at 2pm and its dripping out of the releaser! So on went the pumps. Shooting for a decent run tomorrow after todays surprise. Friday should be our last boil. Its gonna smell strong in the sugarhouse.

[n8hutch]

Sap has been running 100GPH all afternoon, Its the best ive seen all season. Trees and ground have finally thawed, with the 6" of snow I've gotten this week their is still 2 feet in the woods. I'm afraid that we are going to lose the cold nights though.

[MapleCamp]

Never thawed out today for me. I'm surprised it ran over your way. Only ran a bit yesterday as well. I'm giving it until friday still a lot of snow I just might beat the mud.