[QUOTE=I will boil this week the 12 gallons i have, which at a brick 3 to 3.4 should give me strong quart.[/QUOTE]
I can only dream of 3-3.4 sugar. The best I've had is 2.3. The first few years I didn't test. Typically was having 1.4-1.8. Nothing like boiling 60-80 gallons to get 1. Collected only 8 gallons so far, only had 3 taps in for the first 2 days.
Put 11 taps in last weekend. May be adding a few more end of the week. I'm seeing our temps here starting Friday and they look good for the five days after.
Decided to boil on 2 burner propane again this year, my son and I never got to building a new evaporator this year and he'd like to make some changes. Last year I used propane for the first time after shoulder surgery. There was definitely some appeal to being able to turn it off and go in for the night without all the fuss of wood.
~Janet
2019 - 6th year sugarin'. 2nd year using propane. 13 taps. Just over 3/4 gal syrup. Light in color and flavor.
Intent to build a new barrel evaporator with my son this summer. Still don't weld. We'll see how it goes.
2011 - 6 buckets
Stove Top
2012 - 15 buckets
2013 - 19 buckets
Camper cook stove with 3 high propane burners
Custom made 42x14x7 maple pan with dividers
2015 - New 12x16 Sugar Shack
2015 - New Lapierre Propane Evaporator
2016 - 28 buckets
2017 - 30 buckets
2019 - 32 buckets
2023 - 32 buckets - Good to be back
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We have alway's used propane, have a brother who delivers it so i get it a little cheaper than most. If i filled my 10 gallon pan right to the top, turned it down just a smidge, i could go to bed at 9 pm and be out there at 4:30 am it would have an inch left to boil. Once i accidently made candy, to close, so i went out at 3 am poured it off, started another batch and went back to bed!!!!
Going to put my 50 taps in Tuesday it's the latest I have ever tapped. Did propane for a few years now I have a small sugar shack and a 1/2 pint evaporator.
Interesting discussion on the use of propane. I can see the appeal for sure. My body isn't getting any younger. I use wood for several reasons, but mainly I just like working with wood. I have a lot of it around and since it is free and I enjoy working it up, it's my fuel of choice. It does commit you to starting early to wrap up by evening. I keep the "sap and crap" pile by the evaporator and put anything that will burn (solid wood, no plywood, etc) in the pile. Great place to get rid of goony shaped wood and pine!
On the subject of effort versus weather i decided to take the now 15 gallons and store it till next week after the warm up and anticipated sap run. Other than time boiling it takes as much time to set up, clean pans, finish syrup, etc for 15 gallons as it does 50. I think my time is better spent finishing some indoor projects and add the 15 gallons next week. It's partially frozen so it will keep.
A gentleman commented on the brix level i !measured. It usually starts out in the 3 range, but certainly doesn't stay that way all season. I will see that drop to 2 over a few week period.
Two 2x4 concrete block arches with three steam trays each
Tapping in Mount Vernon since 2016, 30 to 70 taps, 5/16" tube to 1.5 to 3.5 gallon buckets, some trees on collective gravity tubing to 5 gallon buckets.
Mostly sugar maples, a few reds on 200 year old homestead
My partner and myself have been discussing switching to propane recently.
It definitely has an appeal to us.
Is there someone who makes a propane conversion kit for a leader half pint?
2019 40 taps on buckets,20 on bags. RO bucket, 5 gallon so far
2018 41taps on buckets, 3.25 gallons syrup, Lots of learning
Leader half pint w/supreme pan
Backyard weekend newbies
Since we left the farm and our 500 taps on vacuum...Ron taps our lawn trees. He got a propane fish fryer and it works good. He can have a wood fired set up,but he would be outside and not a good idea anymore. This way he can sit in his garage and use his Kindle while he boils
Last edited by highlandcattle; 03-10-2019 at 05:47 AM.
Set 24 taps today, only a few trees were dripping late afternoon But things are looking up for temps !
Backyard Sugarin' since 1991
Concrete block wood burner
24 taps on gallon jugs
2' x 2' x 6" SS pan
5 gal. SS steamer pan for preheating
89 Arctic Cat Panther sap hauler
Making a few gallons syrup most years.
Maple Baked Beans
Maple Oat Sourdough Bread
Maple Wine
Tapped about half of the 70-80 I plan to tap for the season this afternoon. A couple were dripping. Plan on getting the rest in tomorrow afternoon. Next week should be interesting!
2019 99 taps on buckets (95 red & 4 sugar)
W.F. Mason 2x4 XL