+ Reply to Thread
Page 4 of 21 FirstFirst 1234567891011121314 ... LastLast
Results 31 to 40 of 201

Thread: 2020 Tapping Season

  1. #31
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Somers, CT
    Posts
    56

    Default

    [QUOTE=Getwidit;376656]
    Quote Originally Posted by Person25 View Post
    I think they are cast iron? Patent-D they say on them.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    Best way I found, thanks to the people in this forum, was to clean any metal tap, (ive had aluminum, cast iron, galvanized, stainless), by soaking in 50/50 vinegar/warmwater for a bit, then brushing and washing. Usually I boil them and repeated the process of brushing, they'll clean up well.
    1990-2013 - 35+, 7/16, on milk jugs+3gal galv buckets, 55gal drum firebox, 125 year old 10 gallon porcelain pot, outdoor boiling fun.
    2014 - 40+ Built a 10x12 sugar shack, new 2x3 Mason.
    2015-2023 - 75+ 5/16 Buckets, 3/16 tube, DIY RoBucket, on the mason in the shack, me, the dogs, sometimes the ole'lady, and defiantly a few beers.

  2. #32
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Northern Wisconsin
    Posts
    54

    Default

    Both the taps and buckets have lead in them. Save them for decoration.
    3500 taps, vacuum.

  3. #33
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 18mile View Post
    Both the taps and buckets have lead in them. Save them for decoration.
    What I dont understand is a lot of people are against galvanized. But you can look up the fact that it is fda safe as long as it's not in contact with acidic foods. Which cause the zinc to leach. Are you saying these buckets aren't galavinized? Are they ternplate? I can buy 500 plastic liners for 50 cents a piece if that's the case..

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  4. #34
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Quaker Hill, CT
    Posts
    328

    Default

    Its easier to say all galvanized buckets are suspect of containing lead than to say some do and some don't. Also visually people will equate rust in the bucket to rust in the syrup.

    In either case a plastic liner solves both issues, real or not.

    As for the taps I would use modern plastic taps if for nothing else other than you put a much smaller hole in the tree. So there is no risk of metal contamination and the tree is healthier to boot.
    2017 25 taps on buckets got me hooked 1 gallon of sweet
    2018 51 taps on 3/16 tubing/ DIY oil tank evaporator 8.5gallons finished
    2019 60 taps 7 gallons finished ended season short
    2020 New 2x4 divided pan ready to get away from the headache that is steam table pans
    2021 off year due to pandemic and projects
    2022 back at it

  5. #35
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Somers, CT
    Posts
    56

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Getwidit View Post
    What I dont understand is a lot of people are against galvanized. But you can look up the fact that it is fda safe as long as it's not in contact with acidic foods. Which cause the zinc to leach. Are you saying these buckets aren't galavinized? Are they ternplate? I can buy 500 plastic liners for 50 cents a piece if that's the case..

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    Ive always been told the biggest exposure to lead in these buckets comes in the case of a bucket that had been repaired....that being because of the lead solder that would have been used to repair leaks.
    1990-2013 - 35+, 7/16, on milk jugs+3gal galv buckets, 55gal drum firebox, 125 year old 10 gallon porcelain pot, outdoor boiling fun.
    2014 - 40+ Built a 10x12 sugar shack, new 2x3 Mason.
    2015-2023 - 75+ 5/16 Buckets, 3/16 tube, DIY RoBucket, on the mason in the shack, me, the dogs, sometimes the ole'lady, and defiantly a few beers.

  6. #36
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Richmond NH
    Posts
    313

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Getwidit View Post
    What I dont understand is a lot of people are against galvanized. But you can look up the fact that it is fda safe as long as it's not in contact with acidic foods. Which cause the zinc to leach. Are you saying these buckets aren't galavinized? Are they ternplate? I can buy 500 plastic liners for 50 cents a piece if that's the case..

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    Maple sap is slightly acidic, and leaches the lead out of it. Per Tim Perkins.
    Jake
    smoky lake 2x6 drop flue SSR on homemade arch
    235 taps on 2 gast 1550s and lappiere releasers
    24x12 sugar house
    2019 Kubota L2501 work horse

  7. #37
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    North Stonington
    Posts
    17

    Default

    Anyone have sap running? not seeing much chatter on rates/volumes
    ~80 Buckets
    ~80 3/16 gravity taps
    4'X2' Smoky Lake Drop Flue Pan
    2'X2' Smoky Lake Flat pan
    6' Smoky Lake corsair arch with forced draft
    5" Smoky Lake Filter Press
    Kubota B2320 Sap Hauler

  8. #38
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Cornwall, CT
    Posts
    356

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by swampyankee View Post
    Anyone have sap running? not seeing much chatter on rates/volumes
    I had 300 gallons last night. Hope to have 600-700 by Friday and probably another couple hundred by the end of the weekend? Weather looks just about perfect.
    1980 - 6 taps, stone fire pit, drain pan evaporator, 1 pint of syrup
    2016 - 55 taps on 3/16 and gravity, new sugar shack, 2x3 Mason XL, 16 gallons of syrup
    2017 - 170 taps on 3/16, 2x4 Mason XL, NextGen RO. 50 gallons of syrup
    2018 - 250+ taps on gravity and buckets, 2x5 Smokey Lake arch and Beaverland pan.
    2019 - 250+ taps on gravity. A few buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
    2020 - 300+ taps on gravity. 50 gallons of syrup.
    2021 - 280 taps on gravity and 40 buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.

  9. #39
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Quaker Hill, CT
    Posts
    328

    Default

    I collected around 100 gallons over the weekend. There was a decent early season run over the weekend in the southeast corner.
    I was finishing up getting my taps in on Saturday and have been chasing leaks since then. My 3/16 tubing runs have been slowly running the last few days. I think I finally got them all leak free so by this weekend I should get another decent run.

    If you aren't on vacuum I wouldn't tap yet for another couple of weeks.
    2017 25 taps on buckets got me hooked 1 gallon of sweet
    2018 51 taps on 3/16 tubing/ DIY oil tank evaporator 8.5gallons finished
    2019 60 taps 7 gallons finished ended season short
    2020 New 2x4 divided pan ready to get away from the headache that is steam table pans
    2021 off year due to pandemic and projects
    2022 back at it

  10. #40
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Plymouth, CT
    Posts
    46

    Default

    I'm at 2 gallons a tap, tapped Sunday (1/26) afternoon. Looking at the temperature history, I feel like I could have tapped at the end of December! Things should slow down Wednesday and Thursday before picking up again Friday.
    Last edited by markgm; 01-29-2020 at 09:09 AM.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 4 of 21 FirstFirst 1234567891011121314 ... LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts