Tree sap gathering and syrup making

[gmjarvi]

The sap is kept at a simmer to low boil so that the water will evaporate. A pressure cooker will keep the water vapor in, so it wouldn't do any good.
The crock-pot on high may do OK, but you still need to be there to stir it so the sugars don't burn. And the crock-pot may not get it hot enough to evaporate the water very quickly and won't hold much sap.
I can't remember the ratio - maybe one of the sappers will chime in - I think it is like 40:1, so that would be 40 cups of sap to make 1 cup of maple syrup ...

Yep, 40:1 is just about right.

 

[duluthralphie]

Yep, 40:1 is just about right.

On a good tree in a good year...

 

[gmjarvi]

On a good tree in a good year...

Of course it varies, but if we didn't make assumptions now and then we wouldn't even begin to be able to estimate anything now would we? This is the most widely accepted estimation and it suits most situations just fine.

 

[duluthralphie]

Of course it varies, but if we didn't make assumptions now and then we wouldn't even begin to be able to estimate anything now would we? This is the most widely accepted estimation and it suits most situations just fine.

Yep, I figure one cup of syrup for every five gallon of sap.. if it’s more I am pleasantly surprised.

I thought I would have 50 gallons of sap today, I might have 5....

 

[gmjarvi]

Yep, I figure one cup of syrup for every five gallon of sap.. if it’s more I am pleasantly surprised.

I thought I would have 50 gallons of sap today, I might have 5....View attachment 2043975

That is definitely a bummer!!

 

[duluthralphie]

I just emptied the couple trees that are running.
18 gallons from silver maples and 2 1/2 gallons from the lone running boxelder..

a sad day

 

[duluthralphie]

My first run of my homemade stove and cooker.

this is raw sap before its boiled down, looks like water. This is about 2% sugar. I used a hydrometer to measure the sugar level.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

My first run of my homemade stove and cooker.

View attachment 2046463

View attachment 2046464

this is raw sap before its boiled down, looks like water. This is about 2% sugar. I used a hydrometer to measure the sugar level. View attachment 2046465

I only have one question.
Why are you taking videos in portrait instead of landscape?
You taught me that years ago. you should know better than that.

 

[duluthralphie]

I only have one question.
Why are you taking videos in portrait instead of landscape?
You taught me that years ago. you should know better than that.

I wanted too... and the chimney was tall.. I dunno

Make it full screen it’s not bad.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

My first run of my homemade stove and cooker.

View attachment 2046463

View attachment 2046464

this is raw sap before its boiled down, looks like water. This is about 2% sugar. I used a hydrometer to measure the sugar level. View attachment 2046465

Never mind I have two questions.
What is that canvas looking stuff draped over it how is that not catching fire?