I'm hoping this isn't the new normal for us here. The winter of mud.
what a weird winter - or lack of?
I'm hoping this isn't the new normal for us here. The winter of mud.
I’m looking out at my lines and thinking I need to get moving on setup for the season…. If we get a season.
It’s certainly bizarre.
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.
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Trout Brook Valley
Weston, CT
We have winter here, but it arrived late and other than a few storms, it has been an easy one. It will be +3.2/-16 here tonight, but then it warms up a little, then gets cold for a few days and warms up again for another possible sap run mid January.
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.
Gary, have you got any ice on the lake for ice fishing. None of the lakes here have anything, but some skim ice near shore in just a few areas.
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
We have an inch an half of white ice, so weak that an ice spud goes through it like a hot knife through butter. Today was cold and tonight will be cold, but not overly cold after that. I am not sure just when we will get on the ice. Mid January they are forecasting temperatures where the sap may flow again and I will have to put out my collection pails. This time I will have a turkey fryer to boil it.Originally Posted by Pdiamond
Normally we are in our fishing hut, fishing this time of year.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0f24...Jx1IVi71b9m0-A
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.
Tap?
So tempting: sunny, highs in the upper 40s, lows in the 20s. No snow. Other than the date seems perfect.
Shunkworks, Are you going to tap? I'm with you, very lack luster winter for sure. I see we are close in proximity thus the question on tapping.
everything is telling me to hold off till our normal tapping time but......i might do a 10 tap test next week
CT Guy, Same here. Everything i have read so far says to hold off. But the weather is looking pretty good though. Plus, I have a new shed, hood system and set up so I am itching to get it going. Just a few weeks ago I boiled water just to test everything. My wife said I was crazy!
We are further north than you and are colder. To be honest if I had your 2 week temperature forecast, I would be awlfully tempted to go all in and hook up all of my taps. Even in Southern Ontario, it looks awlfully good.
Maybe my inexperience talking.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/056M...gxjdwJE6iP1VTw
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.
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