Maple Syrup season!

[AndreusMaximus]

What temp would that be?

I like to boil to 218 degrees Fahrenheit. My dad likes to go to 220, which is noticeably thicker, but not reduced much in volume. I think I heard the stuff you buy at the store is typically boiled to around 216-218 range.

 

[smokingman]

I’ve boiled down 15 gallons so far. Just my tree and a neighbor’s tree. I just tapped his last week though.
We boil it down to around a pint per 5 gallons. It’s a little thinner but it’s good.

Does anyone filter their syrup or sap?

I have been filtering through cheese cloth(any paint department has it) both the sap and finished syrup.
I have a bag system currently and holding cheese cloth over it is easy to pour it into my pans. For hot packing I use a funnel with cheese cloth in it. Not mess free,but it keeps debris out.

I had one batch that just refused to not be cloudy. That one was a bit different. I used multiple funnels with coffee filters and mason jars. That cleared it up. Then just poured those jars into clean ones. I have already been using this batch and it is just as good as any others(was worried it would not seal well and did not want to reheat).

My hope when the season is done is around 15 gallons. It may be less or more though.

 

[spencer rifle]

Some of our 2.5 pints so far this year. Darker than usual.

 

[smokingman]

Some of our 2.5 pints so far this year. Darker than usual.
View attachment 255140

mmmm darker maple syrup

 

[smokingman]

How is everyone doing?
It has been hit and miss run wise the last week. Right after the cold snap though I have had a great couple of days. I may be a bit further north than many,but I am not sure all. No buds on any trees yet.

My run today is going to be a very dark syrup. It is not even half boiled down and the color is already fairly dark.

Now a question. Is that when most stop gathering sap,when trees bud?

 

[spencer rifle]

When trees bud or the spiles stop running, whichever comes first. Made what is likely our last quart today. Current inventory from all years: 4 gallons and almost 2 pints.

Silver maples already budding.

 

[AndreusMaximus]

We pulled all our taps a week ago from yesterday. Things weren't completely dried up, but the trees are starting to bud around here, plus all of us who were in on the joint effort had got plenty to satisfy our needs for the year, I think it was about 25-ish gallons total.

 

[phylodog]

Getting to be that time again, eh? I'm anxious to make syrup again this year, hoping for a good yield.

 

[smokingman]

Temperature for this coming week where I am says Tuesday is a good day for sap to run.
I will likely put in some of my taps Monday(tomorrow). The rest of the week it is above freezing night and day. It may be early, as I am no expert. Just going on the weather forecast alone and knowing freezing nights and above freezing days are great for runs. I may be early, but not much to lose trying.

If the taps I put out(just 2 trees) are running I will tap some others.

 

[spencer rifle]

Too soon! I’m not ready!

 

[phylodog]

After looking at the weather forecast I put a reminder in my phone to get everything out and ready Saturday.

 

[phylodog]

The forecast for next week has warmed a bit. I'm still planning on tapping tomorrow, hopefully it'll work.

 

[spencer rifle]

All of ours went out Monday afternoon. Now we wait…

 

[patience0830]

Right after that cold snap is the perfect time to get started. We always started tapping in January when I was a kid.

 

[spencer rifle]

 

[phylodog]

All of ours went out Monday afternoon. Now we wait…

I put mine out Monday, hoping for a decent yield this season.

 

[phylodog]

I've only got two trees tapped with two buckets on each and I've collected around 7 gallons or so thus far. One of mine started running pretty good three dayss ago and the other seems to have just turned on. Little warmer lows coming up than they were originally calling for, hopefull it'll keep running.

I've got the first batch on the cooker now. This is only my second time trying and last time I cooked most of the water off over a wood fire. I'm currently using propane, I'm waiting to see how long the tank lasts before deciding if I need to build another makeshift wood fire area.

 

[cg21]

I got a pint and a half so far….. I feel I prematurely tapped

 

[smokingman]

I got a pint and a half so far….. I feel I prematurely tapped

My smaller trees are not producing yet, but the largest one(huge maple) is pumping out sap well.

 

[cg21]

Where are you guys sourcing those food grade 5g buckets ? I have been using the metal taps with the hangers and milk jugs…. I need to switch to the hoses and buckets.