We're in the midst of a nice run here in the middle of Western PA. After a cold night with a low of 22, the high today was 52. It's now 33 and going down to 30 tonight. Tomorrow will be a high of 47, so the run should continue.
We're in the midst of a nice run here in the middle of Western PA. After a cold night with a low of 22, the high today was 52. It's now 33 and going down to 30 tonight. Tomorrow will be a high of 47, so the run should continue.
680 5/16 taps on gravity
red and sugar maples
2 Homemade ROs
Stovetop evaporator
Filter press by Daryl
Star San Tube Pump
Drying rack for hydrometer
Loves tapping in snow
Correction: This is not just a *nice* run. This is a *huge* run. I built my first RO after a run like this. I had to dump several hundred gallons of sap because it went bad before I could process it.
680 5/16 taps on gravity
red and sugar maples
2 Homemade ROs
Stovetop evaporator
Filter press by Daryl
Star San Tube Pump
Drying rack for hydrometer
Loves tapping in snow
I haven't collected since Friday....now I'm nervous. haha Collecting tonight.Originally Posted by HowardR
Made 7 gallons of syrup this weekend...along with spilling a full gallon in the driveway (i wanted to cry..ha)
It's been slow around here. 120 gallons yesterday and 220 today which is a decent run. Things are finally thawing out. Sap is at 1.4% which is good for me. Syrup is probably upper end of dark.
We had a bear in the yard tonight before dark. I ran him off but he'll be back
Last edited by Gary R; 02-24-2020 at 05:50 PM.
136 on high vacuum for 2019
A&A 2X8, raised flue evaporator
hood, parallel flow pre heater and air over fire
12X28 sugar shack
There was a tsunami in Central Pa today!
115 red maples on vacuum
100 taps on 5/16 gravity
35 taps on 3/16 gravity
50 taps on shurflo vacuum
about 60 buckets on giant roadside sugars
neighbor bringing from 45 taps
30'x 8' Aof/Auf Evaporator
Homemade 125gph Ro
Lots of Homemade Equipment!
http://s848.photobucket.com/albums/a...%20Sugarshack/
Folks,
400gal of sap yesterday, 400 today. Still making GD. At 85 gallons.
Regards,
Chris
Casbohm Maple and Honey
625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
12" SIRO Filter Press.
2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
Too many Cub Cadets
Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck
www.mapleandhoney.com
Allegehenysyrup
thanks! That would be helpful. Right now I have sand in the bottom to raise it up but like your idea of bricks or something in the back to force the flames up. I am moving this spring so I didn't go too crazy. I will try lining it with bricks next year. A solid larger pan would work better as well.
Steve
SE Pennsylvania
2022 - 13 taps, RO5, 21”x24” SS pan with pre-warmer pan, backyard made wood fired 55gal drum stove - 17.25
2021 - 18 taps, RO5, 21”x24” SS pan with pre-warmer pan, backyard made wood fired 55gal drum stove - 12 pints
2020 - 13 taps, RO5, backyard made wood fired 55gal drum stove with 2 lg 6” deep pans - 6.75 pints (very warm winter)
2019 Rookie Season - 14 taps, RO5, turkey fryer with 6” deep pan - 16.5 pints
Folks,
Average run of 400 gal. made 11.5 gallons of Golden Delicate/ FIRE & ICE syrup. Enough wood to make another 40 gallons and we are done! I can almost see the end. Cold weather coming Thursday. Will gather tomorrow then see what happens next week.
It doesnt take long to cook mellows in the old King arch. Grandson Nic and his boys Cooper and Rhett. I would say maybe 30 seconds!
Hotdogs take only several minute too: Rhett cooking the first ones of the season. I think this may become a tradition!
Neighbors, Ellis's, brought enough sap to make a 1/2 gallon of syrup from their 6 taps. Friend Gary is doing the firing.
Regards,
Chris
Casbohm Maple and Honey
625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
12" SIRO Filter Press.
2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
Too many Cub Cadets
Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck
www.mapleandhoney.com
I was able to keep up with Monday's tsunami of sap. I had to keep my ROs and stovetop evaporator running around the clock, but by Tuesday afternoon I was caught up. Hooray!
As a maple syrup producer, I've always struggled with balance. I'd have unused capacity, so I'd tap more trees. Then I'd have more sap than I could process, so I'd build an RO. I've finally found a balance.
Last edited by HowardR; 02-26-2020 at 06:23 AM.
680 5/16 taps on gravity
red and sugar maples
2 Homemade ROs
Stovetop evaporator
Filter press by Daryl
Star San Tube Pump
Drying rack for hydrometer
Loves tapping in snow
Finally!
It's taken me awhile but I finally have my set up together, sugarhouse half rebuilt, oil line plumbed, and test fired last night with water.
A little late as usual for me but now I'll use this cool down coming the next couple of days to tap and be ready for next week.
Test Fire.jpg
Last edited by Father & Son; 02-26-2020 at 09:47 AM.
12 x 16 Sugarhouse, 12 x 16 Woodshed
2 x 8 “The Mutt” Evaporator with Marcland Drawoff
Leader oil fired arch, Dallaire raised flue, Smoky Lake syrup pan and hoods with pre-heater
New Leader Clear Filter Press/Air Diaphragm Pump
5” Hand Pump Filter Press from Daryl-One of the first three! On loan to a friend.
Deer Run 250 gal/hr RO
A Very Understanding Wife
"At any time during the day you're only 10 seconds from disaster!"
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