First time Maple Tappers!

[CTChickenMom]

I am in SE CT and we did our first boil of the season on Feb 14. This is year #3 for us.

Our first year was only about 1 1/2 gallons of syrup. Last year we had about 11 1/2 gallons of syrup from 22 taps (still have a few quarts left). DH is boiling as we speak.

We also used milk jugs last year but found that we had many days when they were overflowing. This year we have 29 taps and we are using 5 gallon pails. Just from today, the pails were all at least half full and at least one was overflowing. Most of our tree are large enough for 2 taps each, some could do three but we try to tap on the sides of the trees that face the sun, they flow better.

We have consistently had the below freezing nights and days in upper 30s to 40s daily required for good sap flow. Its supposed to be 60 here tomorrow so the sap will really flow! It will be a long day for boiling. DH starts the evaporator hotting up when the sun comes up. I bet this weekend alone will bring 2-3 gallons of syrup. I'm going to try to start a small home business selling eggs and syrup.

 

[MichiganWoods]

That's amazing, CTChickenMom.

I just collected my first round of sap and ended up with close to 2 gallons. Do I start boiling that now, or wait until I've got more collected to start boiling?

Also, what happens with the tapping if it starts to rain? My containers are sealed and will keep out the rain and all that, just wondering what others due during bad weather.

 

[Rosalind]

I'm tapping mine today! Just got my spiles in the mail yesterday. Our season lasts at least till the end of the month in MA.

We have quite a collection of apple juice jugs to use until I can get to the hardware store for buckets. I have about, hmm, 6 maple trees but I think I will only tap the three biggest. At least two of them are big enough to take two taps.

DH has decided that I have well and truly gone off the deep end.

But he likes maple syrup on pancakes and maple baked beans, so...

 

[heyeddah]

I was inspired to try it out this year too. I just got my taps on Ebay. They are in the mail. I wish I had seen your tube set up before I ordered the taps. I don't want to miss out on this weekend! Oh well winter is still four weeks longer. Next project we are ordering the beehive frames for the spring.
Honey, eggs and maple syrup.

 

[freshegg]

what do you use to boil it? people do it outdoors but how and can it be done in the house? how many gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup?

 

[Rosalind]

what do you use to boil it?

DH forbade me to use the pans I was gonna use. Instead I'm putting a disposable foil pan inside a roasting pan and cooking it on the grill outside. Also putting the crockpot on high on a picnic table outside.

can it be done in the house?

If you want your kitchen ceiling coated in maple goo. Like installing permanent flypaper.

how many gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup?

40 gallons sap = 1 gallon syrup.​

 

[MichiganWoods]

What happens with the pans? I wish it weren't raining outside. I've got no garage to do this in so I am stuck boiling my first batch in my kitchen. Guess I'll be scrubbing the ceiling tonight!

 

[Rosalind]

Quote:
DH doesn't want to wash them. Dishes are normally his chore.

 

[valmom]

I just this year decided to try it myself- the guy who usually taps our trees hasn't called this year. So I bought used buckets and lids, and taps from Agway and tapped six trees. I think I still have enough of the season left up here- many people have just tapped this past week.

I think I am stuck boiling it in the house, unfortunately. I guess we will just have to learn the hard way (I am NOT telling my SO that boiling in the house causes sticky everywhere- I'm going to pretend to be surprised)

 

[MichiganWoods]

My DH would be the same way, Rosalind.

valmom... glad I won't be the only one doing it!

I had to add more sap to my first pot. It boiled down enough that it needed more. I had another gallon+ I just collected that topped it off again. And I have my big crock pot going. It's bubbling away and getting more and more yellow by the hour.