Ivyacres, My plan for next year is for more runs with the 3/16ths lines and limit the bags being used.
Ivyacres, My plan for next year is for more runs with the 3/16ths lines and limit the bags being used.
2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
made 17 gal. syrup
2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
2021 - Didn't work out
2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start
Pdiamond, How many taps can your Smokey Lake handle? Do you ro anything yet?How many more taps can you do?
We are at 41 gallons syrup from 175 taps in gaylord and the trees are still giving good clear sap and the buds are not swelled in the least bit. I don't know how much more i can take. Im wore plum out.
Tim Schmidt
2013 13 Taps 4 Gallons Syrup, Drum evap.
2014 50 Taps 14 Gallons Syrup, Drum evap.
2015 60 Taps on 3/16 gravity, 40 Taps on buckets, 42 Gallons Syrup, Home built 30 x 60 arch and flat pan
2016 125 Taps all on 3/16 gravity average 18 in. vacuum, 43 Gallons Syrup, Same Arch and Pan
2017 125 Taps all on 3/16 gravity average 18 in. vacuum, 44 Gallons Syrup, Same Arch and Pan
2018 155 Taps all on 3/16 gravity average 18 in. vacuum, Same Arch and Pan, home built 100 gph ro unit
Ivyacres, I could probably handle 200 taps. My plan for next year is to get out 100 to 110 taps. I'd like to put 75 of those on 3/16ths lines and the rest on bags. I like to rotate trees from year to year in my woods. To answer your question about the RO, no I do not use one. The evaporator will boil off 45-55 gallons of sap per hour depending on how well I fire it. If I had an RO i wouldn't be afraid of having 250 to 300 taps. Then you would have to deal with storage of concentrate and permeate. i will keep it on the small side for me to keep it fun and not to much work. Next year my 400 gallon bulk milk tank I bought will be set-up for use and that will be a big help.
2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
made 17 gal. syrup
2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
2021 - Didn't work out
2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start
I collected my last sap today. It is hard for me to figure out why the trees have not yet shown any budding,( sugar Maples ). When I checked the sugar in the sap it was still at 2.8%. The lowest it ever got this year was 2.6%. I have never seen a year like this. But I am finally done collecting and will finish off the pan tomorrow. Then I have a bunch to get bottled. and the dreaded clean up.
2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
made 17 gal. syrup
2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
2021 - Didn't work out
2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote