Rod Caster Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 Who else is taking part? I'm anticipating a busy Spring work-wise, so I started early and today I tapped 8 trees in a new location (denser maples), I have 4 more to tap and my goal is 10 litres of damn delicious maple syrup by the end of the season. It's only my second year making syrup and last year was a scramble, but I still managed 3 or 4 litres. This year I'm a bit more organized, and I have some good plans for next year! A question I have for the more experienced :Are there any potential issues with tapping too early?
Sinker Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 I started tapping this week too. Sugar shack is cleaned up and ready to go. This will be the first year im ready early. No issues tapping early. A lot of the big sugar bushes start tapping in january. It will be a couple weeks here by the looks of the weather, but better to be ready and get as much sap as you can. Whats your set up? I love sugar season!!! S.
Freshtrax Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 I wish, if I had the property I would. All I have is three scraggly cedars.
lakerguy Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 As soon as I see temps above zero I'm gonna start drinking I mean tapping. I doing about 70 taps this year. Down sizing from 120 last year. Jr got a job on the neighbours dairy farm so I'm collecting solo most times. We boil on a 2x4 evaperator.
Mister G Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 It's good to be prepared but I'm expecting a very short maple season this year.
Rod Caster Posted March 2, 2015 Author Report Posted March 2, 2015 .... but better to be ready and get as much sap as you can. Whats your set up? I love sugar season!!! S. Agreed, I was worried about a short season like Mister G is expecting, so this might be the only way I can hit my target. I have two propane boiling bases, a 1.5x3 Stainless container I found and converted as well as a lobster pot for the final boil. I'll be converting an oil tank to an evaporator this year and clearing an area for a small shack. One step at a time since I have like 200 projects on the go. As soon as I see temps above zero I'm gonna start drinking I mean tapping. I doing about 70 taps this year. Down sizing from 120 last year. Jr got a job on the neighbours dairy farm so I'm collecting solo most times. We boil on a 2x4 evaperator. If you get a chance, can you post a pic of the evaporator/stove? I'm looking for ideas It's good to be prepared but I'm expecting a very short maple season this year. Ya? You figure Spring will hit quick?
Gerritt Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 I'm looking forward to the pics you guys post from this years harvest
Mister G Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 A late spring is what I'm worried about, thus a short maple syrup season.
Sinker Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 Every spring is different, but it always happens. Better to be ready when that first drop of sap flows, than to be tapping while its flowing. I'm not predicting anything. I'm always wrong LOL I'm pretty much good to go. Just a few more trees to tap, and gear to clean. I just boil on a 2 x 2 flat pan over a propane burner. I do 80L of sap at a time. Takes forever! Tapping in snowshoes is always fun too. S.
lakerguy Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 (edited) Agreed, I was worried about a short season like Mister G is expecting, so this might be the only way I can hit my target. I have two propane boiling bases, a 1.5x3 Stainless container I found and converted as well as a lobster pot for the final boil. I'll be converting an oil tank to an evaporator this year and clearing an area for a small shack. One step at a time since I have like 200 projects on the go. If you get a chance, can you post a pic of the evaporator/stove? I'm looking for ideas Ya? You figure Spring will hit quick? Will do Edited March 2, 2015 by lakerguy
lakerguy Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 I read an interesting article in one of the farm mags on organic maple syrup. The one major step that separates traditional syrup and organic is the way equipment is cleaned and sanitized. Non organic equipment is cleaned using detergents that are food grade safe and rinsed with hot water,where organic equipment is cleaned with fermented sap. As sap ages,it turns into a vinegar like liquid. Making a great cleaner then rinsed with hot water.
SmokestackLightnin Posted March 2, 2015 Report Posted March 2, 2015 Sitting on the fence this year as I have travel plans the first week of April and may pass this year as a result. It would be my first missed year in 11 years. I have lots of stock so it may not be a huge concern. If I can recruit a sap collector for a week then I will start tapping this coming weekend.
Sinker Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Im also away the first week of april. Kinda sucks, but we got a screaming deal for that week. Im hoping I can get a couple boils done before then...we'll see. My neighbour helps me when im not around, so its all gonna get boiled regardless. S.
Rod Caster Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) You're leaving during prime time! Looking back on my pics from last year, I tapped March 29th (the run was just starting) and did my final boil on April 21st. Edited March 3, 2015 by Rod Caster
Sinker Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 Nobody knows when prime time is.....HA! My sap will be collected while I fish salt water in cuba S.
Rod Caster Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Posted March 3, 2015 You'll be tapping into some sweet drinks instead.
KLINKER Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 The organic artical made sense as long as you wash your dishes in fermented sap.
Rod Caster Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Posted March 3, 2015 I washed my equipment with organic witch hazel. Does that count? Wait, I dont really care since I'm not selling any haha
Sinker Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 How can maple syrup NOT be organic? I mean really.....the stuff comes from a tree. Sheesh. s.
SmokestackLightnin Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 I read an interesting article in one of the farm mags on organic maple syrup. The one major step that separates traditional syrup and organic is the way equipment is cleaned and sanitized. Non organic equipment is cleaned using detergents that are food grade safe and rinsed with hot water,where organic equipment is cleaned with fermented sap. As sap ages,it turns into a vinegar like liquid. Making a great cleaner then rinsed with hot water. Organic producers can use vinegar or fermented sap to clean up at the end of the season. During boiling season only water can be used. There are a few other requirements that seem a little overkill for a hobby boiler like myself. The end product that I produce is pretty organic compared to other foods. More info here: http://www.acadianmaple.com/blogs/maple-syrup-blog/4852352-what-is-the-difference-between-organic-and-non-organic-maple-syrup
lakerguy Posted March 3, 2015 Report Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) We don't sell either so I don't pay much attention to the rules. We do however keep our equipment nice and clean and finish every batch with a hydrometer Edited March 3, 2015 by lakerguy
Rod Caster Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Posted March 7, 2015 There are two or three days of + temps forecasted this week. Let's see if those tree wells start showing.
lakerguy Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 I might tap on Mondayor tuesday Looks like she might run. Going to give the trees a couple days of mild weather for them to thaw a bit. I hate tapping frozen wood.
Sinker Posted March 9, 2015 Report Posted March 9, 2015 Sap was flowing here today for the first time. Nothing crazy, but its a start! This week lookks MINT for my area!! S.
chris.brock Posted March 9, 2015 Report Posted March 9, 2015 (edited) I'm stuck in the city pulling my hair out. Took the dog for a walk this sunny afternoon and said to my wife "damn, I bet the saps flowing" Enjoy it Shane, a great time of the year, post some pics Edited March 9, 2015 by chris.brock
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