Maple Syrup Making

[Jackalope]

I helped a guy carry water once. Two 5 gal buckets tree to tree and dump in tanks on the tractor.. Absolute freaking work.

 

[Sgt Fury]

The A&W was in Boardman. I didn’t frequent that area…..

 

[finelyshedded]

Daaaaaaaaaaaang what a long friggin day for this first timer. Logged well over 10K and didn’t walk away from my 4 burning sources but to check on buckets at my neighbors 200 yards away. I’m whupped and tired of stirring, pouring and scooping. Very rewarding but dang. Started boiling my 20 gallons of sap at 9am on my propane stand, over our Solo fire pit and hot plate on my offset and inside the smoker to add alittle hickory smoke flavor. Finally boiled it down at 219 degrees with enough syrup to fill a 750ml bottle of bourbon and 1/2 a 375ml bottle which yields just under 1/4 gallon. Syrup tasted pretty good but DANG what a process

 

[switchhitter]

Nice
I have always wanted to try this
I have plenty of maple trees
Always very satisfying to do it yourself!!

 

[Buckmaster]

A labor of love. The Indians did it with hot rocks. Imagine that process.

 

[5Cent]

Nice work Ric!

 

[spencer rifle]

Tapped trees last week, but some aren't flowing at all. Might have to move some spiles.

 

[finelyshedded]

A huge thank you and kudo’s to our Danno for helping me get started with the loan of supplies and knowledge.

Thanks Dan!

Pretty tasty with hint of smoke

 

[giles]

Damn...starting over here and close enough to smell it!

 

[Ohiosam]

Tapped trees last week, but some aren't flowing at all. Might have to move some spiles.
View attachment 218202

Don’t move them, lots of guys complaining that sap isn’t flowing yet. Give the trees a chance to thaw.

 

[Ohiosam]

Here’s a good explanation of why sap isn’t flowing

https://fb.watch/Fmb0qUpo9J

 

[finelyshedded]

Maple snot is running good now.

 

[Buckmaster]

Appears a lot of work ahead. For reference my small arch does about 5 gallons per hour.

 

[finelyshedded]

Appears a lot of work ahead. For reference my small arch does about 5 gallons per hour.

Yup, this will likely go into tomorrow morning

 

[Buckmaster]

Calculate your evaporation rate for future efforts.

 

[finelyshedded]

Calculate your evaporation rate for future efforts.

I’m making hay right now. Cut buckets down to 3 full ones left and 9 gallons still in fridge. I’d like to at least boil what’s in buckets tonight so I can gather more sap in the 2-3 empty ones tomorrow to boil with the 9 gallons in fridge.