The Official 2022 Maple Syrup Thread !

That's beautiful right there ! Great job !

 

Finally boiling some sap down. Cheap guy way, Stainless Buffet pans on an old fuel oil barrel. Ladling from front to back. Started this morning at 4:00 (outside, in the snow), hopefully be done by dark. I always get dark syrup, but it sure is tasty!

 

It ran real good the last few days in Mid Mi , 4500 gallons since Friday . Very good dark amber syrup . Should have a couple more boils left then I’m throwing in the towel .

 

Been seeing soft maple here getting ready to flower. Those are done for sure. Usually means the hard maple are only days behind.

 

Silvers are done here , reds are real close but the sugars look good and tight still . No freezing in the forecast so it’s about time .

 

Been busy doing other more pressing things around the house...but decided to get back to cleaning up. Got all the sack holders scrubbed and cleaned..taps boiled and put away. Cleaned pumps...tanks...you name it. Today....trying to vacuum and organize. Can't wait to clean up all the muddy ruts !!! Looks like itll be awile
Decided to bring my mini shortwave radio and portable antenna to see what I could listen to. Could hear alot !!! This is a new little hobby I'm starting. So far I'm having a blast.
About half done...im pooped !

 

Been staying above freezing here the last 3 days, looks like one last hurrah.

Hopefully get to haul a few more loads of sap down to the neighbor yet..

 

All done here in Mid Mich , record crop with some really good syrup made. It was looking iffy for awhile in March but the frost never left the woods until mid March and that keep us going .

 

Got about 80 gallons of sap tonight on 100ish bags (that don't have any dang squirrel chews in them) in the last 24 hours, pretty decent for this late in the year and mostly red maples. Heard a couple peepers chiming in when I was finishing up gathering,,, kinda like the fat lady singing...

 

Walt, where did you get the tank in the back of your side by side?

 

I was fortunate to get that tank used from a retiring sugar maker. I use a stainless steel milk strainer as a funnel to pour into it. I wish it was a little shorter,it would be easier to pour into. It is 100 gallon capacity but I only fill to 60 or 70 gallons. A 100 gallons in the back might make the Rhino hard to steer. I only use this for 55 taps at the neighbors. My other taps are a couple miles away and I use a tank on a trailer.

 

Gotcha, I’ve been thinking about putting a tank in a trailer to make it easier for my little boys to dump into. Finding food grade stuff for sap isn’t easy. Expensive when I do find it.