January Journal/Happy New Year

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Haynes,

Are you not concerned somewhat about any of the residue of the oven cleaner being left behind in the pans and contaminating the next batch of syrup as it always seemed pretty strong to me.

[mfchef54]

Haynes,
I agree with WVM, aren't you concerned about residue? As A chef when cleaning the ovens at work there is always a residual smell that comes off the oven at the first use. having said that I guess I'm confused. Are we talking about cleaning the inside or the bottom of the pan? If we are talking about the inside I am wondering where the "oily" comes from?

[Jeff E]

I hear you easterners talking about tapping in late Jan or Feb and thats makes me think, when do you finish your season?

Very seldom do we in Wis tap in late Feb. We are usually in March, and are done by mid April. We get 6 or 7 weeks of potential season.

In that time we go from snowshoes to turkey hunting in tee shirts!!!

FYI, this morning, it was minus 25 at home, and on my way to work near Minong WI it was minus 31. Now that will get your attention in a hurry.

[mapleman3]

that's the kind of attention I don't like.... brrrrrrrr I work in a school system on HVAC... the last thing I want is a frozen school and it going on the news.... thats good for my job reputation...NOT!!!... it happens but I'd rather it didn't

[Dave Y]

Jeff E
I normally tap Presidents day weekend.And I have boiled as late as April 25th. Here it depends on the elevation a lot. there is a board member that is about 40 miles east of me and 30 miles south. He is typically done at the very least 2 weeks before me and he will tap around the same time as me. I am 30 miles North of I 80 and60 miles from the Ohio border.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I usually tap around Feb 1 to 10th and am done around March 21st. Last year, I tapped last Sat in January.

[Dennis H.]

This year I will plan on setting the taps the end of Jan, Last year I waited till Pres day and I think I missed out on the early stuff.

I think for me once this cold snap is over and it starts to above freezing it will be go time for me, but you just never can tell what the weather will do next.

[mountainvan]

I finally finished the new tubing install up the road. Lots of little sap ladders so the family who owns it can walk/ski through the woods easily. Got to love vacuum! I received news last night that I am still cancer free.

[dano2840]

UHG WHERE DID THIS GOD AWFUL COLD COME FROM?
how am i suposed to work in the woods w/ it like this?

[mapleman3]

Van that is great news! And your getting a lot done. Your an inspiration! Now I should get going on my stuff! I'm slacking!