I have toyed with the idea that the future sugar shack could double as a steam room.
I have toyed with the idea that the future sugar shack could double as a steam room.
2015: 17 taps, 2 gallons
2016: 35 taps, 3.6 gallons
2017: 60 taps, 2.7 gallons
2018: 56 taps, 4.7 gallons
Mine is 12x16 and after season I put evaporator onto heavy duty casters and move it to run along back wall. I store my ranger suv plus shovels and other tools until it’s sugaring time again!
110 taps W.F Mason 2x3 and two turkey friers for finishing
2011 expanding to a Mason 2x4 with a blower increasing taps to about 200
2011 Hurricane Irene rips thru my small sugar bush cost me to lose 20% of taps
2014 I have reworked my lines for 2014
32 taps on 5/16 line with check valves
57 taps on 3/16 line with check valves
55 buckets with total tapped trees of 144
Our shack is Maple
Only Maple
and Nothing but Maple
so help me sap.
42.67N 84.02W
350 taps- 300 on vacuum, 50 buckets
JD gator 625i Sap hauler w/65 gal tank
Leader 2X6 drop flue
Homemade auto draw-off
Homemade preheater
Homebrew RO, 2- xle-4040's
LaPierre double vertical releaser
Kinney KC-8 vacuum pump
12X24 shack
Lots of chickens and a few cats.
We are in the process of finishing ours but included stainless tables, refrigerators and a stove for canning and sausage making.
we built a log sugar shack two years ago (trapezoid footprint: 30'x20'x32'-4"x8', more on that in a future post) and from the beginning we planned a separation wall with the smaller area just for boiling and the larger area (about 20'x16') a social/gathering space and clubhouse for the kids, four bunks, kitchen table, sink, small wood stove in corner for year round use, etc. The youngest (15) thinks he's gonna live in there 'til he's out of high school; told him he better start cutting firewood now
2010 - 12 taps, turkey fryer, 4 quarts
2011 - 24 taps, homemade arch from old water tank, 16"x24" flat pan, 16+ quarts
2012 - 9 taps, 3 pints, what a season
2013 - 60 taps, homemade oil tank arch with 2'x4' flat pan, 16"x24" finishing pan on electric range, 55 quarts
2014 - 80 taps, homemade oil tank arch with 2'x4' flat pan, 16"x24" finishing pan on electric range, 40 quarts
2015 - 100 taps, 15 gallons
2016 - 115 taps, 13.5 gallons
2017 - 120 taps, 13 gallons
2018 - 130 taps, 11 gallons
In the fall I open the cupola and hang dry beans and herbs in the shack to dry.
2019-2023 40 to 50 taps to get 8 to 10 gallons of syrup
2018 Built the sugar shack, produced 10.5 gallons (converted some to sugar,& cream). taps varied 45 to 50
2017 Built 2x4 arch for a divided pan, 8.5 gallons from 30 taps increased to 42 taps during season.
2016 Produced 3 gallons & 1 quart Syrup, Block arch & 3 buffet pans, 12 taps
2015 Thought about tapping
I am not allowed to use the sugarhouse for any non-agricultural use. It was "permitted" as a sugarhouse in accordance with the town zoning laws and would need to be re-permitted for a barn if I want to use it for a non-ag purpose which would also mean that I'd be taxed for the structure. In Vermont, a sugarhouse doesn't require an actual permit but only a notice to the local municipality with a sketch and location showing it meets property line setback requirements.
Ken & Sherry
Williston, VT
16x34 Sugarhouse
1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/
There is a spring fed creek that runs right by our sugarshack and everyone that visits ask if we make moonshine in the summer. lol
My sugarhouse used to end up with a 4x4 ATV, and lots of tools in the off season, now I have a shop where those all go. My shop is now 14x28', I plan to add another 12'x 32' on one side for more storage room, shelves, room for my 4 wd tractor with cab and a blacksmith shop. That will just be a stone floor in front and stone dust well packed in the blacksmith shop. I will be a hobby blacksmith for fun and personal needs only. Being a farm and on ag assessment I can use my building for whatever legal use I want, thus no moonshine or pot production. In fact even if legalized I will not do pot.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
My sugarhouse has a breezeway between the evaporator room and the woodshed. In the summer months we open the double doors at either end to keep a good air flow through the firewood. This makes a perfect drying place for garlic,onions, beans, and herbs. All that stuff is gone long before sugaring season starts up again.