I was fortunate with the recent mild spell, it melted the snow in the area where the local hardware store, stored its patio stones. I was able to pick up the 1’x2’ patio stone I needed. I got a spare just in case I am clumsy again. It took about 15 minutes to measure and drill the holes for the two homemade handles. The door actually works a lot better than it looks.
In 8 days, my welder will start making my new front facade. It should make everything look and work better.
Today I also removed some ice from the pails that are storing my sap, it will turn colder tonight and the sap should freeze a lot more. I expect some more sap to run in two or three days before another extended freeze. When the time comes to start boiling, I may have 50+ gallons of sap to start.
The cold spell right now will extend from Feb 21 to March 2nd and counting. I am not sure how long the effects of this polar vortex will last into March.
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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.