Well its about that time of the year again. Probably less than a month until tree tappin' time in my area. Although who knows with this crazy weather we have had. Anywho im planning on taking stock of my equipment this weekend, and making sure I'm squared away for the comming season. I'm just a hobby producer but did turn out 15 gallons of syrup on this setup last year My helpers: Anyone else getting excited to get out into the sugarbush!
I used to make syrup until about 20 years ago. My wood cutting buddy started tapping and making syrup the last couple of years. I'll help him this year, and we'll make more than he ever has. The atv I bought and the 55 gallon plastic mtn dew drum I gave my buddywill help us collect more sap.
Nice arch! I've been meaning to build one but I didn't get around to it. Though I got permission to raid my dad's block pile. I was considering skipping this year due to the strange weather, but I think maybe ill tap some that are further in that I haven't hit up before.
15 gallons... that doesn't leave much to give away or sell! sounds just about right for pancakes, carrots etc...
Barcroftb, helped cousin in a family "tap out party" last weekend of January. 10,000 taps most above 2000 feet he's already made 10 barrel none of us more than 45 minutes to 45th parallel
Wow thats pretty early around here. We did have a warm spell and I worried the trees might be running early because of it. I produced well in excess of what I need for a year. Gave a lot away.
Shawn, when I put my arch together again this year I'm going to be sure not to forget the firebrick. Some of the cinder blocks didn't like the heat toward the end of the season.
Love the set up! I spent about 2 weeks solid 12 hour days boiling sap. I was pretty sick of it at the end.
Yeah grandfather's diary back to 1885 earliest record we could fine was February 18th. but it's been running a week making fancy u mm grade a mum light golden amber?? he sells his excess to candy makers how he convinced wife RO machine and tap lines and new AR have was a business
Glad to hear your getting back into it. It's another excuse to get out into the woods. Sounds fun doing it with a buddy
That's what he started with 6 years ago and made enough for his family.. then built sugar shed... then put in new arch.. then tapped out all his.. then neighbor said tap out my 3000 then got RO... then bought 180 acres and .... Do you see the progression... it's a disease.. I annoy him cause I boil bucket gathered separate old way I can taste the difference..
I agree. Sugar Bush Supply Co. has demo days in the fall and I tasted some of their ro syrup. It is different!
Well Seasoned do you use your quads for collection? Horkn what's your buddy collecting sap in? I have been using old 5 gallon food service buckets. Most of them had glaze or frosting in them.
Barcroftb , he uses 5 gallon buckets from food as well, but the 55g plastic barrel I had as an extra from my saltwater reef tank will allow him to store more sap until he cooks it. So, I'll have to look into how RO is used to make syrup. I have one for my reef tank. I assume it's going to get more water out from the sugars so you don't need to boil as long. Right?
Yeah it removes water reverse osmosis so the sap is more concentrated cuts your boiling time in half.. or more
I did use the quad when the snow wasn't too deep. Snow shoes worked best with the added exercise factor. I would bring 2 -5 gal containers and dump in them at every tree. Then everything into a drum. Gallon milk jugs work, 1 and 5 gal water jugs etc. When the sap is really flowing, I'd be spending a lot of time transporting back and forth. An atv or snowmobile would really help speed up the process.
