I noticed sugar levels are higher as well. This year has been eventful to say the least but we are on track to surpass last year's record year. Thanks to vac lines this year. It is truly crazy how much more sap you get. Had to up my RO to a 4040 just to have a chance at keeping up. So you know what that means....a bigger evaporator.😀
2020
8th year making sugar
120 taps second year on vac
2x4 Divided pan.
Homemade RO 4x42XLE
Shurflo 4048 pump
Hurray for IL syrup! News came out to see me today.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com...rup/1866903901
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
Neat! I filmed the process yesterday for a segment that will air next year on Midwest Outdoors. Looks like it was the last run of the season, so really hope I remembered everything....no time for do-overs!
Only about half of my lines running today. Still got about 130 gal. Hope to have a few more cold nights to make it through next week.
Pulled taps yesterday and had last evaporator today. Still need to finish pan sweet on the stove but as of today we are at 63 gallons. A slow start it was this season but March rebounded nicely.
I kept detailed kitchen notes to see how the introduction of the RO effected our time and water removed. It removed over 1600 gallons water and the savings in operation time and fuel almost paid for the RO in just one season. Cant be upset at that outcome 😁
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
Well it is looking like we might be getting close to pulling the plug for this year. We'll see what the trees do the next few days though. We have already made our average gallons of syrup in about half the time so I think the trees are making up for being late.
Glad to hear you guys are getting some publicity. We were fortunately featured in an article in the Chicago Tribune last year and boy did the phone ring.
Last edited by MapleMounder; 03-25-2019 at 02:41 PM.
New To Maple in 09'
16' x 24' Sugarhouse
Smoky Lakes Corsair Arch
2' x4' Smoky Lakes Hybrid Drop Flue Pan
200 Taps On Bags
IH 806 Diesel & Allis WD
2 Horses, Black cattle & Yes Chickens
An Aussie Named Mable Sugar
Wife, Kids And A Couple Of Friends To Help!
Finished boiling down the pan sweet today and the season final total is 73 gallons! This season we focused on efficiency in sap collection (worked on getting better vacuum) and processing efficiency (reverse osmosis). And boy did it pay off.
Now we finish cleaning up the kitchen and getting equipment ready for storage.
On April 27 we have our annual Syrup day and pancake breakfast. We do operation tours, classes, kids activities, and of course eat pancakes with pure maple syrup and sell syrup. If anyone is around Peoria then I invite you to stop by and say hello.
Let me know your final count and how everything turned out.
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
I am still collecting, took 300 gal to my sugar shack yesterday from the previous 2 days. Sugar did drop to 1.9 but sap still pretty clear. If we turn colder as predicted I may have one more run.
Finished collecting today. Ended up with 2300 gal. First time I ran into April. Even tho my volume was down the sugar was higher than previous years.All in all a successful year.
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