Needle valves were a PITA for me too...
I found the ones with ferrules and tube supports, and they seemed to help.
Needle valves were a PITA for me too...
I found the ones with ferrules and tube supports, and they seemed to help.
2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO.
2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons.
2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons.
2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 22 gallons.
2020 - 70ish taps on Shurflo 4008. Mason 2x4 XL. DIY R.O. ~24 gallons.
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Trout Brook Valley
Weston, CT
Ghost - just took a closer look at my barn - it is at least 15x15. most likely bigger. So thank you for the though on the roofing, but you are right, it is not enough.
Thanks
2017 - 20ish taps on buckets, boiling outside in two baking pans
2018 - 70+ taps, 14-buckets, 50+ on tubing, homemade arch from oil tank in my barn, 17 gal syrup
2019 - same set up, 20 gal syrup
2020 - less taps, short season, but RO kit was fantastic! 6 gal syrup and a maple cat!
2021/22/23 - expanded into the neighbors yards! 50 taps on buckets and 40 taps on tubing
The mild winter we were having seems to have turned more 'normal' I can't see any sap here in Kent anyway, for at least 10 days into Feb.
I was thinking of tapping but now it seems I may hold off until the second week of Feb.
Things look pretty cold on the 10 day, with the exception 1 day...
I'm getting very antsy!
Has anyone else tapped yet, and if so how are things progressing?
BK
2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO.
2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons.
2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons.
2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 22 gallons.
2020 - 70ish taps on Shurflo 4008. Mason 2x4 XL. DIY R.O. ~24 gallons.
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Trout Brook Valley
Weston, CT
Down closer to the coast, it looks a little more promising. I am also getting antsy!!! I might be tempted to start after this cold snap and snow, in a few days.
2017 - 20ish taps on buckets, boiling outside in two baking pans
2018 - 70+ taps, 14-buckets, 50+ on tubing, homemade arch from oil tank in my barn, 17 gal syrup
2019 - same set up, 20 gal syrup
2020 - less taps, short season, but RO kit was fantastic! 6 gal syrup and a maple cat!
2021/22/23 - expanded into the neighbors yards! 50 taps on buckets and 40 taps on tubing
2017: 7 taps, turkey fryer
2018: 10 taps, turkey fryer
2019: 15 taps, turkey fryer
2020: 20 taps, Mason 2x3
The taste at the end makes it all worth while
According to the Saptapapp no subscribers to the app in CT have tapped yet. It will be interesting to see if that changes by the weekend.
2024 55 3/16 gravity, 19 5/16 gravity, 40 buckets and bags, RO Bucket rb15 kit, 5ft Phaneuf drop flue evaporator, Mason AUF arch.
2023 35 3/16 gravity, 30 5/16 gravity 53 buckets and bags, RO Bucket rb15 kit, 5ft Phaneuf drop flue evaporator.
Mason AUF arch
2022 35 3/16 gravity, 28 5/16 gravity, 50 buckets and bags, New RO Bucket rb15 kit.
2021 11 on 5/16 gravity, 30 on 3/16 gravity, 69 on buckets and bags. All sugar maples. Mostly large old trees.
The sap tap app buckets near me were overflowing Thurs-Fri, but now nearly empty. I’ll hold off til next week, which is a blessing as I have more prep to do!
A dozen or so years ago, one February was so cold here I had no sap at all - 0 -
i think i,m going to wait till the weekend of the 13th, hopefully mother nature will start to cooperate