How best to sanitize drill bit, spiles, and (possibly) taphole?

[stimyg]

I've read older posts on this subject, but what's the latest thinking on the best way to sanitize the drill bit, spiles, and - if advised - the taphole?

My best guess plan is to sanitize spiles at home with hydrogen peroxide, then carry them with me in a clean ziploc. Bring some peroxide to sanitize the drill bit between taps. And to skip sanitizing the taphole.

Last year I had my taps slow production too quickly, and if contamination was a cause I'd like to try to eliminate it this year.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Pdiamond]

Are you using stainless steel taps? all you have to do is boil those at the end of the season and put them in a baggie until next spring. the tapping bit doesn't need anything done to it nor do you need to clean out the tap holes. I will say there may be an exception on the hole if you are not using a tapping bit and shavings are in the hole, use a small stick from the ground to clean the shavings out or a small piece of wire. No matter what you will contaminate the hole.

[stimyg]

All plastic taps. Half are bucket spouts, the other half are zap bac

I've never done any sanitizing of the drill bit before. But after least year, wondering if there's anything more I can do...

[ecolbeck]

I suggest bleaching and rinsing plastic spiles. Or you could just replace them like the pros do.

[ir3333]

don't lose too much sleep over it.. a bit of water and bleach at seasons' end as suggested.Your going
to boil your sap for hours and hours.

[ecolbeck]

don't lose too much sleep over it.. a bit of water and bleach at seasons' end as suggested.Your going
to boil your sap for hours and hours.

True, but the OP is concerned about tap hole sanitation, not syrup sanitation

[DrTimPerkins]

don't lose too much sleep over it.. a bit of water and bleach at seasons' end as suggested.

Just do NOT soak your metal spouts in bleach solution (a strong oxidizer) for a long period of time, or you risk them ending up a rusted pile of fused metal in the bottom of the bucket. Yes...I've seen it several times before.

[DrTimPerkins]

True, but the OP is concerned about tap hole sanitation...

Some sanitary strategy for use of spouts/drops is recommended...sanitizing tapholes is NOT.

[ecolbeck]

Some sanitary strategy for use of spouts/drops is recommended...sanitizing tapholes is NOT.

Oops. That’s was my intended meaning.

[stimyg]

These are all new spiles, if that helps answer the question.

So, ok, do nothing to the tap hole itself. What do people think of peroxide as a sanitizing agent? My thought is that would leave the least residue. And, is it helpful to sanitize the drill bit between trees or no?