Finished a little over two and a half gallons yesterday. One more week and we will pull the taps. It's been nice having our boiling time cut in half with the RO bucket system. Back to cleaning up after the storm when the season ends.
Finished a little over two and a half gallons yesterday. One more week and we will pull the taps. It's been nice having our boiling time cut in half with the RO bucket system. Back to cleaning up after the storm when the season ends.
Still frozen solid up in the hills.
seem to have peaked @ 20 taps: bags on hangers
Homemade RO
2 or 3 gallons syrup per annum, formerly with wood fire arch and batch pans
then Dark Star 2.0 burner and 8 gal Megapot Brew Kettle with ball valve
transitioning now to 30x17x9 flat pan
rarely have so few toiled so much for so little
Sap Aussie Gidget,
and my one and only Jill
http://twodogsgonewild.blogspot.com/
3 day run tapering off; storage full of 30 gallons of 6%+ concentrate from 19 taps (one bag bit the dust in the wind); first boil tomorrow. As a first-time RO user, it will be interesting to see what the concentrate will do with the boil duration. All I can say is that the membranes do not like the cold, and for god's sake run a rinse cycle every 8-10 gallons or the rate drops off steeply. But I sure like the sugar boost. Over 6% is insane.
seem to have peaked @ 20 taps: bags on hangers
Homemade RO
2 or 3 gallons syrup per annum, formerly with wood fire arch and batch pans
then Dark Star 2.0 burner and 8 gal Megapot Brew Kettle with ball valve
transitioning now to 30x17x9 flat pan
rarely have so few toiled so much for so little
Sap Aussie Gidget,
and my one and only Jill
http://twodogsgonewild.blogspot.com/
Collected 130 gallons of sap this week. Pulled the taps on Saturday. IMG_20200328_090831203_HDR.jpgBoiled Friday and Saturday. Ended up with just over 10 gallons of syrup for the season.
Very happy with the RO bucket system and the modifications to the evaporator.
12 taps 6 active, mostly by the lakeshore. FOMO so I thought I'd better get going before St Tappy's Day or I'd be late. Warmer forecast than anticipated.
seem to have peaked @ 20 taps: bags on hangers
Homemade RO
2 or 3 gallons syrup per annum, formerly with wood fire arch and batch pans
then Dark Star 2.0 burner and 8 gal Megapot Brew Kettle with ball valve
transitioning now to 30x17x9 flat pan
rarely have so few toiled so much for so little
Sap Aussie Gidget,
and my one and only Jill
http://twodogsgonewild.blogspot.com/
30 taps in last Saturday. Running well. Picked up 35 gallons and put in another 10 taps Wednesday. Discovered several taps leaking. Tried wrapping spiles with teflon tape. Will check them today to see if it works. Flushing RO today hope to boil early next week.
12 taps off and running. For the 10 days active, 15 gallons first 3 days, stall, now doubled sap collected since Friday and storage full up. New RO pump still in transit, so I need to boil today, as I expect this week to run with perfect temps predicted. All sap 3%. Spring Forward!
Last edited by wilfredjr; 03-14-2021 at 10:37 AM.
seem to have peaked @ 20 taps: bags on hangers
Homemade RO
2 or 3 gallons syrup per annum, formerly with wood fire arch and batch pans
then Dark Star 2.0 burner and 8 gal Megapot Brew Kettle with ball valve
transitioning now to 30x17x9 flat pan
rarely have so few toiled so much for so little
Sap Aussie Gidget,
and my one and only Jill
http://twodogsgonewild.blogspot.com/
Two 32 gallon boils complete for 3 plus gallons syrup; 20 gallons sap in storage, and 14 taps still running, still over 3%. RO restored by new pump for second boil, and back to back comparison sure shows why you mess around with it. Over 6% means less than half the propane and time. Perfect 40-20 temps now but may not get a fourth boil with predicted temps skewing way warm soon. Weeks ahead this year.
seem to have peaked @ 20 taps: bags on hangers
Homemade RO
2 or 3 gallons syrup per annum, formerly with wood fire arch and batch pans
then Dark Star 2.0 burner and 8 gal Megapot Brew Kettle with ball valve
transitioning now to 30x17x9 flat pan
rarely have so few toiled so much for so little
Sap Aussie Gidget,
and my one and only Jill
http://twodogsgonewild.blogspot.com/
After a string of sub-zero overnight lows, today is sunny and 45•, and the forecast leapt right into range. Two feet of snow is turning to slush; the driveway a luge run. Yesterday, the ice and snow were firm, and it was the day to tap around here.
I, of course, am on hold, remodeling the kitchen. I will keep the St Tappy's Day date holy, by God.
seem to have peaked @ 20 taps: bags on hangers
Homemade RO
2 or 3 gallons syrup per annum, formerly with wood fire arch and batch pans
then Dark Star 2.0 burner and 8 gal Megapot Brew Kettle with ball valve
transitioning now to 30x17x9 flat pan
rarely have so few toiled so much for so little
Sap Aussie Gidget,
and my one and only Jill
http://twodogsgonewild.blogspot.com/
10 taps in yesterday in 50 degrees; warm again today and not one drop of sap
seem to have peaked @ 20 taps: bags on hangers
Homemade RO
2 or 3 gallons syrup per annum, formerly with wood fire arch and batch pans
then Dark Star 2.0 burner and 8 gal Megapot Brew Kettle with ball valve
transitioning now to 30x17x9 flat pan
rarely have so few toiled so much for so little
Sap Aussie Gidget,
and my one and only Jill
http://twodogsgonewild.blogspot.com/