Author Topic: OT Maple Taps (Read 155509 times)

BrownTroutBoy · « **Reply #960 on:** Mar 10, 2015, 10:44 AM »

Checked my buckets yesterday hardly a drop what gives?

xphelanx · « **Reply #961 on:** Mar 10, 2015, 10:58 AM »

Quote from: BrownTroutBoy on Mar 10, 2015, 10:44 AM

Checked my buckets yesterday hardly a drop what gives?

Must be 8 more weeks of winter...

Epkomd · « **Reply #962 on:** Mar 10, 2015, 11:25 AM »

Same here browntroutboy. When I looked at the forecast I figured I'd be able to do a small boil this weekend. I don't have more than a cup or two of sap... Figured it'd be running good

gamefisher · « **Reply #963 on:** Mar 10, 2015, 01:17 PM »

Quote from: BrownTroutBoy on Mar 10, 2015, 10:44 AM

Checked my buckets yesterday hardly a drop what gives?

Maple trees are just like MEhunter, it takes them a while to wake up.

. Mine are still dry today, that surprised me a little.

ICEMAN-73 · « **Reply #964 on:** Mar 10, 2015, 01:45 PM »

running strong in New Gloucester, just need to find something to store it in! Don't have time to do nightly boils anymore so I have to wait until the weekend. By then I should have about 100 gal of sap.

rude the dude · « **Reply #965 on:** Mar 10, 2015, 04:20 PM »

I put out 25 taps on sat. Whent and tapped 15 more last night and my buckets had a inch in them from sat. And it was dripping real slow. I didn't check today but they should of done something. It takes a couple good days just get things started. Tomm. should be decent.

dvn4flags · « **Reply #966 on:** Mar 10, 2015, 06:23 PM »

Iceman,
I work in New Gloucester and have most of my taps over that way. I use 55 gal coated drums that were used for corn syrup for storage. If your interested I can see if we have any more laying around. Trees should be running pretty good tonight and tomorrow.

44 Degrees North · « **Reply #967 on:** Mar 11, 2015, 05:44 PM »

Went by some milk jugs hanging in Ellsworth this afternoon. They were half full.

nativetrout · « **Reply #968 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 07:28 AM »

Is the sap running anywhere in Maine? I have not gotten a drop yet. Hope it changes soon. Time is running short before the maples start budding. NT

BrownTroutBoy · « **Reply #969 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 08:06 AM »

Quote from: nativetrout on Mar 16, 2015, 07:28 AM

Is the sap running anywhere in Maine? I have not gotten a drop yet. Hope it changes soon. Time is running short before the maples start budding. NT

I got 10 gallons last week going to do a small boil tonight before it spoils.

gamefisher · « **Reply #970 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 09:22 AM »

Nothing here yet but a little ice in the buckets, slow start indeed, looks cold all week as well after today.

maineduckhunter · « **Reply #971 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 06:59 PM »

Quote from: BrownTroutBoy on Mar 16, 2015, 08:06 AM

I got 10 gallons last week going to do a small boil tonight before it spoils.

I think you are okay on it spoiling as long as it stays cold. I've held on to sap for near 2 weeks and it was fine.

Sinnian · « **Reply #972 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 07:07 PM »

I've heard rumors of businesses might have to import it in for Maine Maple Sunday

gamefisher · « **Reply #973 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 07:15 PM »

Quote from: Sinnian on Mar 16, 2015, 07:07 PM

I've heard rumors of businesses might have to export it in for Maine Maple Sunday

I think a lot of operations will be boiling water for show and selling the remainder of last years supply.... if they have any.

maineduckhunter · « **Reply #974 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 07:18 PM »

Yes, I'm surprised they didn't move the date!! $:-\$

Raquettedacker · « **Reply #975 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 07:19 PM »

Quote from: maineduckhunter on Mar 16, 2015, 06:59 PM

I think you are okay on it spoiling as long as it stays cold. I've held on to sap for near 2 weeks and it was fine.

You are a wise man.. I have had it buried in coolers under snow for 2 weeks before any sign of spoilage..

Quote from: maineduckhunter on Mar 16, 2015, 07:18 PM

Sinnian · « **Reply #976 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 07:32 PM »

Quote from: gamefisher on Mar 16, 2015, 07:15 PM

I think a lot of operations will be boiling water for show and selling the remainder of last years supply.... if they have any.

Meant import = blame the alcohol

ICEMAN-73 · « **Reply #977 on:** Mar 16, 2015, 09:48 PM »

ran good in New Gloucester today, got about 22 gal out of 26 taps. still have to get my evaporator set up so i can get boiling!

maineduckhunter · « **Reply #978 on:** Mar 17, 2015, 09:30 AM »

Quote from: ICEMAN-73 on Mar 16, 2015, 09:48 PM

ran good in New Gloucester today, got about 22 gal out of 26 taps. still have to get my evaporator set up so i can get boiling!

Just dug mine out of the snow yesterday, but I think it's froze to the ground!! $:-\$

BrownTroutBoy · « **Reply #979 on:** Mar 17, 2015, 09:57 AM »

I boiled my 10 gallons last night got about a quart that light "early" season syrup.

ICEMAN-73 · « **Reply #980 on:** Mar 17, 2015, 09:04 PM »

sap ran surprisingly well today, picked up about 20 gallons! Out of storage need to get some boiled down.

Keychain · « **Reply #981 on:** Apr 01, 2015, 09:38 AM »

Thought I'd bump this back up. As of Saturday I had only collected about 6 gals off 30 taps. Figured the season was a bust so I boiled off what I had with the propane burner. Now I'm sitting on another 20 gals or so and may actually be able to do a real boil over wood this weekend. Won't be a banner season but it guess it won't be a bust...

gamefisher · « **Reply #982 on:** Apr 01, 2015, 09:49 AM »

Quote from: Keychain on Apr 01, 2015, 09:38 AM

Thought I'd bump this back up. As of Saturday I had only collected about 6 gals off 30 taps. Figured the season was a bust so I boiled off what I had with the propane burner. NNow I'm sitting on another 20 gals or so and may actually be able to do a real boil over wood this weekend. Won't be a banner season but it guess it won't be a bust...

It has been slow out of the gate for sure. It ran pretty good here the last two days, other than that, basically zippo. I am thinking a short and sweet season as well.

Looking forward to hearing how your new evaporator works out.

BrownTroutBoy · « **Reply #983 on:** Apr 01, 2015, 10:19 AM »

boiled 20 gallons since the season "started" hope they ran good the last few days.

Bearsfan · « **Reply #984 on:** Apr 01, 2015, 10:24 AM »

I would love to be able to do that, not much for maple out here in Idaho. I had heard you can tap birch just wondering if any of you have tried?

BrownTroutBoy · « **Reply #985 on:** Apr 01, 2015, 11:02 AM »

Quote from: Bearsfan on Apr 01, 2015, 10:24 AM

I would love to be able to do that, not much for maple out here in Idaho. I had heard you can tap birch just wondering if any of you have tried?

The birch sap run is a little after the maple and has a lower sugar % 60:1 I think it is, I work with a guy that taps them.

Keychain · « **Reply #986 on:** Apr 02, 2015, 07:43 AM »

Quote from: gamefisher on Apr 01, 2015, 09:49 AM

It has been slow out of the gate for sure. It ran pretty good here the last two days, other than that, basically zippo. I am thinking a short and sweet season as well. Looking forward to hearing how your new evaporator works out.

It did quite well for us last year. We processed about 40 gals of sap last season in two boils. A little slower than I expected, so we'll probably tweak some things this year. Replacing a section of the stovepipe to add a damper to see if that helps, hinders, or maybe it will make no difference. Also learned that my plan to use all the junk dead softwood to burn was not the best idea. Turned out it was really too wet and punky to burn well so we switched to hardwood. I suppose the soft stuff might be fine if I took better care and kept it dry...

BrownTroutBoy · « **Reply #987 on:** Apr 02, 2015, 08:04 AM »

my trees broke loose the past 2 days, 35 gallons from 15 taps boiled half of it last night!

Bearsfan · « **Reply #988 on:** Apr 02, 2015, 09:57 AM »

Thanks Browntroutboy.

Westerly · « **Reply #989 on:** Apr 02, 2015, 11:06 AM »

Quote from: BrownTroutBoy on Apr 02, 2015, 08:04 AM

my trees broke loose the past 2 days

Same goes for me and I'm out of storage space. Hauling out the stove tonight to do my first boil tomorrow - can't believe I went the whole month of March without firing it up.

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Author Topic: OT Maple Taps (Read 155509 times)