Sap is Flowing, is maple time.

Fullers Farmalls · Feb 20, 2014

We've been collecting sap for a few weeks. Well three days in the last few weeks. We started boiling it down and had good results the first time around. I have a question. What is something more common to hold the sap and boil it down in? We have a large aluminum pot and a large but rusted cast one. I was trying to think of something else Stainless I would have thats large enough to boil it down in?

IaGary · Feb 20, 2014

How but an old SS milk cooler.

I have one here that would work good for someone.

Has the valve on the bottom to drain it even.

Probably about 200 gallon or so.

Gary

RGMartin · Feb 20, 2014

When we do it, I use a 30 gallon galvanized wash tub outside to get it 90% of the way. Then I finish it on the stove inside where I can keep a closer eye on it.

Zachary Hoyt · Feb 20, 2014

If you go to mapletrader.com they have a forum section on homemade maple equipment that you might find interesting. Stainless steel or english tin are the materials that I mostly see used for pans, they are made quite thin to promote efficient heat transfer. I have a SS pan on a homemade 2x4' arch that I got at an auction for $60 but it is a bit thicker than would be ideal. Used to use a 60 quart steam table pan at one time, that was fine too.
Zach

JDemaris · Feb 20, 2014

You need something that is as shallow as possible to keep boiling time down a bit. Otherwise the finished syrup boils too long and gets real dark. But I guess some people like it that way. Even a maple finishing pan is better for main boiling then a deep pot as long as you're not making very much.
I made 5 gallons last year on just a finishing pan. I didn't have enough taps out to justify firing up my big arch. At my place in NY I've got 60 acres of sugar maples. Usually put it on pipeline. I'd never tap this early. The holes in the trees would heal up half way through the season and need to be retapped. That is unless you "cheap" and use some of those Canadian pills you stick in the tap-holes (illegal last I checked).

just another old geezer · Feb 20, 2014

First off, I'm not sure what size operation you have but I am currently working in to a maple syrup producing operation. because I am producing food I'm a bit fussy what kind of equipment I use. My rules are: no galvanize holding tanks, food grade hoses on all pumps, pumps used exclusively for a sap or freshwater, no galvanized fittings on or after the evaporator. Only stainless steel pans, welded or lead free solder. for reasonably priced quality hobby sized maple syrup equipment, go to wfMasonwelding.com

Bill in IL · Feb 20, 2014

You need to go check out Maple traders forums. Steam pans are a popular way to start boiling. They are cheap and easy to work with. The trick is surface area to get good boil rates.

I started last year with 2 steam pans and this year building a 2x6 evaporator.

I tapped last weekend but its still not flowing real hard. Have the warm weather but lots of snow in the woods keeping the temps down. Looks like next week will be cold again so maybe I tapped too early. Last year I tapped about the 10th of feb and the trees ran well till the 3rd week of march when the season ended.

Hogleg · Feb 22, 2014

Where you located in Ill Bill? I am in Salem. Was going to tap today. How is your sap flowing now?

How do you store your sap when it is warm outside?

John

Determined · Feb 22, 2014

I had an old livestock waterer that was all rusted out on the bottom.
I gutted everything out of it, put a 4 foot chiminey on one end and brick lined the inside, on top of the bricks is a 1/4 inch steel plate.
The stainless steel bowl sits on top of the steel plate.
Load it up with wood and it takes about 8 hours to boil down 40 gallons.
Nothing high tech but it works for the amount we produce.

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Sap is Flowing, is maple time.

Fullers Farmalls

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IaGary

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RGMartin

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Zachary Hoyt

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JDemaris

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just another old geezer

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Bill in IL

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Hogleg

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Determined

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