Originally Posted by
4Walls
For what it's worth, I have about 400 taps to go. Most on 3/16 lines and I am not tapping for at least 10 days or so. Weather is just too cold and could 'Pop" the taps out creating vacuum leaks.
I will admit that I am getting itchy to be out in the bush. Can't wait to use the stainless vacuum filter that I built. I have done a couple of "dry" runs and filtered a batch of beer through it. Seems to be a big improvement to the one I mashed together last year. I seriously considered the CDL version last year but couldn't justify the 2500$ for the filter so I made the prototype. Got all the kinks worked out and have the final version.
Sap is just around the corner because my chickens have started laying eggs again. Always a good sign.
Never knew about taps popping, another lesson learned.
Two years ago, two days from now, my buddy near me, started tapping.
Any pictures of the vacuum filter you made, or a link to something similar? I never will be able to afford the CDL one.
2022 - 5 pan block arch - 109 taps, 73 on 3/16 lines, 36 on drops into 5 gallon pails.
930 gallons boiled, 109 L (28.8 gals) of delicious syrup made.
DYI Vacuum Filter
2023 - 170 taps, mostly on lines, 1153 gallons boiled, 130 L (34.34 gals) of delicious syrup made, on a 2x4 divided pan and base stack, 8 pipe, on a block arch that boiled at a rate of 13 gallons per hour.
2024 - made 48 L, December to March, primarily over two fire bowls.