I also noticed the sugar was 3.2% measuring yesterday.
I also noticed the sugar was 3.2% measuring yesterday.
41.457 x -72.907 148 elevation
2x4 wood fired evaporator with the "Hercules Blower"
hybrid pan and backflip preheater by Smoky Lake
103 taps. 44 on gravity
All sugar Maples
7" filter press
10 x 12 sugar shack
two very helpful kids
a wife that thinks I'm nuts
https://youtu.be/7MiY8qzBKk8
https://www.wunderground.com/persona...d?ID=KCTCHESH7
This is a difficult start. I have a new hood and preheater but my Smoky Lake float box purchased 9 years ago doesn't have a drain for glass site. I'm boiling higher than I normally would since I can't see directly into the pan. I've boiled 150 gallons and still haven't drawn off yet. The sap has frozen and thawed since last week (frozen again today). I'm hoping I don't get ropey syrup as a result.
41.457 x -72.907 148 elevation
2x4 wood fired evaporator with the "Hercules Blower"
hybrid pan and backflip preheater by Smoky Lake
103 taps. 44 on gravity
All sugar Maples
7" filter press
10 x 12 sugar shack
two very helpful kids
a wife that thinks I'm nuts
https://youtu.be/7MiY8qzBKk8
https://www.wunderground.com/persona...d?ID=KCTCHESH7
Re Lafite's 3.2%: Wow, that's really high. I'm at 2.5% which is high for me, lots of reds.
I'm hoping the high sugar content comes north just over the CT/MA line today.Originally Posted by SkunkWorks
2024 - Starting with the 25 then more late Feb.
2023 - 25 taps on 11 trees to focus on the process. 9 Gallons and lots of sugar sand. 35 people over for breakfast in April
2022 - 8 x 14 sugarhouse and a steam bottler. 50 buckets! 9 Gallons syrup and 4 pounds of sugar
2021 - 20 x 30 divided pan on a Mason arch, 34 taps and 8 gallons for family and friends to judge. Dad hooked as well.
2020 - 2 taps, 1/2 pint on a turkey fryer, About 3/4 pint syrup in two weeks - Proof of concept!
Had my highest sugar content in this weekends boil I've ever had. I don't have a way to measure the sap yet, so I can only go by how much finished syrup I get out of how much sap I started with. And this first boil of the year in NE CT was the most. Very Happy!
I managed to get my 40 or so gallons down to about 35-40 brix. I put it in the freezer. I am going to have a heck of a time getting todays down to under 5 gallons so I can get it into the freezer for tomorrow lol. I am most likely not going to be able to boil very much until Wednesday. I am going to have to finish off what I have in the fridge tonight while the RO is running I think.
Good thing about this time of year... I don't have to worry about running the humidifiers lol House gets nice and steamy finishing on the stove lol.
I've been getting a steady 2ish% which is fantastic for me with 90% reds at least. I was getting about 1.25-1.5% my 1st year with mostly just the silver/red's in my yard. I think the silver gives MAYBE 1% lol
2020 - 1st year - 14 taps 1 Gallon Jugs + 4x 5-Gallon Buckets + Propane Grill + lots of headaches
2021 - 2nd year - 19 Taps (and some free sap from a friend in the same town!) 145 or so OZ
2022 - 3rd year - 46 taps (3 at home, 2 at neighbors, 38 at friends, and 3 at work) added ROBucket RB10, and Silver Creek 18x34x6 Divided Maple Syrup Pan w/warming Pan+Valve+Thermometer 6 Gallons 6 OZ!
2023 And we grow some more... Starting with OldPostMaple.com!
My sugar content (this far) has also been uncharacteristically high (all reds). I'll take it!
Seems I'm following with the sugar trend.
I tapped 2 days ago and have 100 gallons in my IBC, guessing another 25-30 in the collection barrel in the woods.
I'm reading 2% which for me is the highest I've seen in 4 years of doing this. I'm all reds (maybe a sugar or 4 in there) and usually come in at 1.5% on good runs and 1% on later runs.
I'm hopeful this keeps up as I was late to tap and have a lot of random crap on the schedule over the next few weeks with work.
That said, if anyone needs sap, I'll probably have more than I can RO and boil unless my schedule opens up. **** work!
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.
______________________________________________
Trout Brook Valley
Weston, CT
What a warm wet and windy night for February. Tough night to be boiling but I want to get the sap I have from yesterday and today cooking before the mid 60s weather tomorrow.
2017 25 taps on buckets got me hooked 1 gallon of sweet
2018 51 taps on 3/16 tubing/ DIY oil tank evaporator 8.5gallons finished
2019 60 taps 7 gallons finished ended season short
2020 New 2x4 divided pan ready to get away from the headache that is steam table pans
2021 off year due to pandemic and projects
2022 back at it
The sugar content has come north! Averaging a solid 2%, and my lone Norway maple at the house had three gallons tonight at 3%. Keep it comin!
2024 - Starting with the 25 then more late Feb.
2023 - 25 taps on 11 trees to focus on the process. 9 Gallons and lots of sugar sand. 35 people over for breakfast in April
2022 - 8 x 14 sugarhouse and a steam bottler. 50 buckets! 9 Gallons syrup and 4 pounds of sugar
2021 - 20 x 30 divided pan on a Mason arch, 34 taps and 8 gallons for family and friends to judge. Dad hooked as well.
2020 - 2 taps, 1/2 pint on a turkey fryer, About 3/4 pint syrup in two weeks - Proof of concept!
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