I just collected 40 gallons from yesterday's run, which (almost) replaces the 40 I lost out of the tank on Friday; with the sugars at 3.5% and the few reds at 2.5% ... And it's a boilin' right now. I boiled the 30 on Saturday and got a nice gallon of light amber. I took the day off (as I'm an S corp and subcontract) to try to boil down some of the remainder plus what I collected this AM. The next 4 days look very sappy.
Last edited by Peeper; 03-25-2019 at 09:37 AM.
Maine Moonshine
117 Sugar maples & 60 red maples on 9 acres, buckets, Leader 1/2 pint arch w/36x24 pan
No shack (...yet??)
When you start to hear the spring peepers, you know your taps have overstayed their welcome.
Yesterday was great, picked up 65 gallons. Hopefully we can a few more runs like that.
2019 99 taps on buckets (95 red & 4 sugar)
W.F. Mason 2x4 XL
2 more Gallons of Light amber
As I type this, I'm enjoying fresh light amber straight off the evaporator on my waffles for lunch! Just drew off 2 more gallons of light amber at a temperatureof 220 and 65 brix, and still boiling more. That was worth the morning's effort!
117 Sugar maples & 60 red maples on 9 acres, buckets, Leader 1/2 pint arch w/36x24 pan
No shack (...yet??)
When you start to hear the spring peepers, you know your taps have overstayed their welcome.
That's livin' the life Peeper. I bet they were the best waffles you've ever eaten. Warm, fresh syrup makes everything taste fantastic!Originally Posted by Peeper
~ Karen ~
2012 - 10 taps, 1 turkey fryer - 169.5L sap 4.2 L syrup
2013 - 23 taps, 2 turkey fryers - 748.5 L sap 17.56 L syrup
2014 - 22 taps, 509 L sap 12.5 L syrup
2015 - 28 taps, 1093.75 L sap 25.1 L syrup
2016 - 25 taps, 1223.5 L sap 28.25 L syrup
2017 - 21 taps, 518.5 L sap 12.7 L syrup
2018 - 28 taps, 2 turkey fryers & Denali 3 burner propane stove - 798L sap 16.9 L syrup
2019 - 28 taps, 1409.5L sap 40.12L syrup
Sugar, Norway, Manitoba, Silver and Freeman Maples
Finished the boiling at about 5:45 PM with yet another gallon light amber draw off. Only managed to get about 8 gallons of sap in today's run, but cut more firewood in the interim. Just enough to calm the boil at the last draw. Total sap so far this season, 190 gallons (minus 40 spilled on Friday) for 150 usable; and approximately 5 gallons of syrup. Now for some rest (or work) the next few days to see what will happen next weekend.
117 Sugar maples & 60 red maples on 9 acres, buckets, Leader 1/2 pint arch w/36x24 pan
No shack (...yet??)
When you start to hear the spring peepers, you know your taps have overstayed their welcome.
I feel like Fred Sanford on the 70's sitcom "Sanford and Son" - this is the big one Elizabeth. If your my age or older you might be familiar.
Nice to see all who were waiting finally get some sap. Enjoy....!
I boiled for the second time Sunday and got 1.5 gallons from 50. I have almost exhausted my storage capacity and have 140 gallons waiting for boiling. Made a quick bucket run to Hannaford, Shaw's, and Wal-Mart which netted another 28 gallons of storage so I've got a couple of days. I'll boil several days this week to try and catch up and free up some 5 gallon buckets. Sunday's run netted nearly 40 gallons of the 36 taps, and I see the sugar varying between 2+ to just under 4. Hopefully a good week!
I feel Peeper's pain on the loss of his sap. Every time I lift a pan off the evaporator or carry the pot back into the house to finish I think about the horror of dropping a days work. I'm sure there are stories....
Last edited by Mvhomesteader; 03-25-2019 at 07:31 PM.
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
I only got 20 or so off my taps the way it was running early yesterday I expected more. Not looking like a banner year for me.
Loved that show myhomesteader, Ole Aunt Ester with the evil eye!!!!
Hi Karen!!!! Glad to hear from ya!! I am not even tapping this year, way to much work for what's flowing, which is next to none!!!! Huge snow pack, bad temps, so i will just get everything set for next year, nice sugar shack, a good pan etc. but still like to hear what others are doing. I'll chime in often!!!
Boiled for the third time Tuesday and got over 1.5 gallons off 55 gallons sap. It's interesting that the sugar content seems higher this year at least than the past few-I'm too new to have a long history. I've been measuring my taps and have a bunch near or at 4%, another group in the 3 range, and a third group 2 to high 2's. The average seems to be 3 as I keep getting 3% syrup from whatever volume I boil. I've never had this level of return. I do have 4 trees that have dropped to less than 2, so they are going in a separate bucket for later/last.
I believe some others are seeing higher sugar. Anyone have an explanation? Love to know.I
I've still got 126 gallons on tap with 30ish coming in daily, so fourth boil Friday and then probably Monday after the rainy weekend.
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
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