I was wondering what time of year is the best to replace spouts. Should they be changed at the end of the season or wait till fall/winter to change them out.
I was wondering what time of year is the best to replace spouts. Should they be changed at the end of the season or wait till fall/winter to change them out.
16x24 sap house
3x12 G.H.Grimm raised flue
2500 taps 500 on buckets
30x34 sap house
3x12 leader max revolution
1000 gph Springtech Ro
There is currently no research on this subject. We are nearing the end of a study examining the timing of putting spouts on in the fall, mid-winter, or during tapping, however we will not know the results for at least a few more weeks.
Lacking any data, I would suggest it would be best if they were not put in before the temperature started to get cold in the fall to avoid excess contamination.
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
Ok thank you. I would be very interested in seeing the data you have come up with on this topic. Also would it be a problem to cut old spouts off when pulling them after season and letting the drops be open till fall/winter when putting new spouts on.
16x24 sap house
3x12 G.H.Grimm raised flue
2500 taps 500 on buckets
30x34 sap house
3x12 leader max revolution
1000 gph Springtech Ro
6th season solo sugar maker in a young sugar bush of mostly red maples
320 taps
2x6 self built arch, Flat pans w/ dividers
New 12x16 sugar house
CDL hobby 250 RO
With the CV2 spouts, I cut them off when I pull the taps, flip them around, and put the pointy end right back into the drop. This allows me to keep pulling spouts "under vacuum" to try to suck all of the old sap out of the lines.
Boulder Trail Sugaring
150 Taps on Vacuum
Homemade 20"x40" Hybrid Pan - 15 gph
Homemade Steamaway - 10 gph
Waterguys single-post RO
I cut the old taps off about a month before I tap. I never thought of doing that but jrgagne99 has a good idea and I would do that if this wasn't my last season.
Russ
"Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!
1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
Four chainsaws and no chickens!
I cut them off when pulling taps and use Plug style T fittings to plug the drop until I replace them when tapping.
owner/operator, D&B Maple
Tubing system consultations, installs and repair
https://www.facebook.com/DB-Maple-110587323841677
Operator, Fairbanks Maple
6,000 tap family sugaring operation
https://www.facebook.com/FairbanksMaple