Eastern Wisconsin

[littleTapper]

That sounds incredible littleTapper! How much syrup have you made so far this year?

I've got 10.4 gallons bottled and another 7+ ready for final finishing and filtering sitting in the cold, and some in the evaporator pan to finish off and way too much trapped in filters . Have done only one small batch of boxelder (.6 gallons) but I've got 80-some gallons of sap to cook down now too.

I did manage to pump 10 gallons of sap on the ground several days ago; forgot to hook the line back up from the Shurflo to the tank after cleaning the manifold/screen out. Oops.

[Run Forest Run!]

LT, your numbers are insane so far for this season! That's so exciting for you! I'm hoping to make some pure boxelder this year as well, if the taps ever thaw out. It has such a wonderful flavour. Most of the time I blend that sap into all the other sap if I'm short on time or storage.

While I wait for my turn I'm living vicariously through sugarers like you.

[littleTapper]

LT, your numbers are insane so far for this season! That's so exciting for you! I'm hoping to make some pure boxelder this year as well, if the taps ever thaw out. It has such a wonderful flavour. Most of the time I blend that sap into all the other sap if I'm short on time or storage.

While I wait for my turn I'm living vicariously through sugarers like you.

Ha! Do what you can Yes, we love the box elder syrup too. Ours tends to go through 3 flavor phases. Early is fruity, like tart blackberries (awesome on ice cream), then it gets a buttery marshmallow flavor, and the later stuff gets dark and molasses-y (great for BBQ sauces). Amazing weeds, those box elders

[Run Forest Run!]

I don't think I've ever experienced the tart fruity stage with my box elder. Now I can't wait for those trees to start giving up their sap for this year.

[gatzow]

Yesterday’s 18 hour day helped get us past the 5 gallon mark with another batch waiting to bottle. My boil was horrible yesterday. The grate in my evaporator finally warped badly enough that airflow couldn’t get through and I had a giant ash pit that couldn’t burn hot. I normally get 8-9 gallons an hour and I was only cooking at 5 yesterday. Made for a long day with low productivity. Bought another grate so hopefully the next boil goes better. Also had to break out the wood splitter as my reserves are going much faster than planned. Looks like I’ll be cutting and splitting more wood. The positive side is sugar is still around 3 percent. No cooking today, it’s st. Patty’s day! Time for the parade!

[littleTapper]

Gatzow, bummer, never fun when you encounter issues that slow you down! There's not enough time to begin with 😀

Firing up again for boxelder in a few mins, then will have to switch back over for maple tomorrow. Forecast looks good for two crazy days back to back here.

Bottled up just over 7 gallons last night. Nice Amber with really good flavor. Probably my favorite batch ever. At 17.5 gallons total now (maple). What a season!

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[Super Sapper]

Have collected 1700 gallons of sap so far and bottled 44 gallons on 325 taps. It has been running about 32 to 1 lately and very little sugar sand. I normally have to clean the syrup pan after about 300 gallons of sap because it is flaking off the bottom but have not cleaned it so far this year. I do have a new same side reverse pan but do not feel much on the bottom after a boil but switch sides each time I boil. Having an RO and auto draw really make it easier to keep up.

[littleTapper]

Have collected 1700 gallons of sap so far and bottled 44 gallons on 325 taps. It has been running about 32 to 1 lately and very little sugar sand. I normally have to clean the syrup pan after about 300 gallons of sap because it is flaking off the bottom but have not cleaned it so far this year. I do have a new same side reverse pan but do not feel much on the bottom after a boil but switch sides each time I boil. Having an RO and auto draw really make it easier to keep up.

Nice! Wish I could say the same about my ratio and sugar sand!

Silver flower buds opening up on a few trees down here. Sap's still good though. Decent last couple days; a bit over 1gpt each day. Didn't freeze last night, so hopefully I should be able to catch up boiling this evening. Not a whole lot of time left for me, which is ok, I need to get my legs in shape for the fast-approaching MTB racing season. Syrup season doesn't keep me in shape for riding bikes

[WI Sugarpop]

Sap volume is way down compared to last year but sugar is way up. 1230 gal sap collected and about 36 gal of syrup on 260 taps. Still waiting for a big day.

[gatzow]

I’m seeing the same thing, but I like it! A lot less work for your money...

I’m boiling up what came yesterday and cleaned up some trees today. Didn’t get the “big” rush that I was expecting yesterday. Less than 2 weeks left in the season for me unless someone takes over for me while on vacation.

Sap volume is way down compared to last year but sugar is way up. 1230 gal sap collected and about 36 gal of syrup on 260 taps. Still waiting for a big day.