Maple syrup???

[Bilko]

We had a 5 X 12 3 pan Lightning evaporator. Firebox would take 3 ft. wood.

I don’t think I could get him to spend that kind of money on one.

 

[Bilko]

To have your own maple syrup would be fantastic. I think if I tried it with pine pitch = turpentine.

It sure can become a job, but your outside and it’s fun and in the end you have something to show for your hard work.

 

[Bilko]

He told me today that he is right at 11 gallons syrup made for the season. Also that he will probably be done with it for the season this week as he has other things to get caught up on.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^
That's pretty darned good. Why buy a new evaporator when he can do that much with what he's got?
As far as quality; it's fun to make the fancy, light stuff once just because you can. it also helps to have a good filtering system for sap as well as the finished product. However, my taste buds aren't delicate enough to appreciate highly refined cuisine; and the fancy stuff won't even stick to your pancakes! My neighbors have about a bazillion taps out and make about 1000 gallons every year. For them it really is a job, whereas I like to boil syrup for fun. I always thought that it would be a good thing to do when I retire, until I saw how much effort they put into turning an already good product into something they would put their name on to sell .

 

[teejk]

It sure can become a job, but your outside and it’s fun and in the end you have something to show for your hard work.

And your Christmas shopping is done!

 

[dnw64]

Bacteria breaking down sucrose into invert sugars is a large part of the color of finished syrup.

See The Science of Syrup | The Outside Story

 

[Thomas]

I use try make little over 100 gallon season now 10 to 12 gallons season for one man show and its fun again.

 

[Bilko]

My brother said he is done as of today! Ended up with 12 gallons.

 

[teejk]

My brother said he is done as of today! Ended up with 12 gallons.

The sap should be running for awhile yet here. Very cold nights for this time of year (19F last night).

 

[dnw64]

The sap should be running for awhile yet here. Very cold nights for this time of year (19F last night).

Supposed to be back in the 20s tonight, but didn't get below 50 last night. At that rate it won't be but a few days before budbreak and then you're done regardless of temp.

 

[Jstpssng]

Supposed to be back in the 20s tonight, but didn't get below 50 last night. At that rate it won't be but a few days before budbreak and then you're done regardless of temp.

That's what we're seeing here, also. It got up to 60 yesterday, although with the wind it sure didn't feel like it. This is a tough time of year for me; I still have to get something done but getting around in the woods is impossible. For years I took time off and pruned for a nearby apple orchard; but it really wasn't profitable and all that I was doing was burning up my vacation time.

 

[teejk]

Supposed to be back in the 20s tonight, but didn't get below 50 last night. At that rate it won't be but a few days before budbreak and then you're done regardless of temp.

That's a combination of temperature and daylight hours. But you're right. At some point the latter overcomes the former and it's time to call it a season.