Some things will help make darker syrup (and yes, I always sell more dark than any other grade) 1. Hold your sap an extra day, unless it will get over 45 degrees F. 2. Boil at 2 or even 2.5" deep. 3. Blend in some darker from other batches, even last year's syrup. That's what I do often, I don't make enough dark to meet demands, so I take a lighter grade (yes, sometimes even Golden) fill my finisher or bottler then very slowly add some dark. You will find it takes very little dark especially if at the darker end of the grade to turn the blend to dark at the middle of the grade. That is where I have the best success.
I now use a Hanna Checker and record the light transmission percent on every container (In code, not stating what it is). I then start adding some dark syrup (or even very dark if you have it) I'll explain my code at the end. I stir the blend and check the light transmission. I then add more if needed.
In terms of light transmission I try to get my dark to 35-40%. There was an article in The Maple News giving the math, I was doing it my way for years, so I didn't get that precise trying to use the math. I sometimes need to add almost a qt to change golden to dark, other time a little less or more. Just go slowly. It works well, and as long as the taste of what you were mixing was of good flavor for the grade, the dark will taste like it should.
My code, for those who may be interested. On my price labels (I use a price gun to mark everything) syrup starts with a 1, then 2 digits for % light transmission. Thus, for examples, a 135 is dark, a 159 is amber , a 180 is golden and a 120 would be very dark.
Last edited by maple flats; 04-06-2021 at 12:32 PM.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.