|
|
Post by titanium700 on Feb 25, 2024 9:30:10 GMT -5
So this year my wife and I (mostly her because she purchased the spiles and tubes and handed them to me š) decided to try our hand at making maple syrup. So I bought some 3 gallon buckets from Loweās and went and tapped 10 maple trees on our property. In one week I got 25 gallons of sap. So in the meantime I went and bought some cinder blocks to make a firepit, some SS pans and used some steel fence posts I had laying around and proceeded to boil this sap down. Took me 5-6 hours boiling and monitoring my fire and got it down to just 2 pans the was about 1/3 full each. Then took it in the house and finished it on the stove for a more precise temp control which took about 40 more minutes till I reached the 219 degree mark. The result is a syrup which is dark has a light maple, smoky, earthy, heavy vanilla and caramel flavor and real sweet. Had breakfast yesterday with pancakes and French toast and everyone loved the syrup. The start  A good bit in.   Last 2 pans  She be boiling  Final result  Ended up with exactly half gallon. So what am I going to do differently next year. One start earlier for more sap and tap more trees Two make sure every tree I tap is for sure a maple, or a sugar maple. I may have had one or two other trees in there but from research that wonāt hurt. Get a better transfer system to get the sap down to where I boil it down. Riding my four wheeler with a 5 gallon bucket on my lap through the bumps is fun even with a lid on. Get better welding gloves for the fire pit and maybe upgrade to some kind of evaporator where the fire is inside (I think that contributed to the smoky flavor. Iām sure thereās other things I will think of. It was fun |
|
|
|
Post by featherduster on Feb 25, 2024 10:13:05 GMT -5
Good for you, I like it when folks try new ideas in the outdoors.
I have neighbors that use sealed plastic bags to catch the tapped syrup.
|
|
|
|
Post by titanium700 on Feb 25, 2024 10:35:36 GMT -5
Iāve heard of that.
I attached the 3 gallon buckets to the trees on a 10ā threaded screw and hung the bucket on it and when I collected it I dumped it in a 5 gallon bucketā¦ā¦25 gallons took a bit.
lol
|
|
|
|
Post by duff on Feb 25, 2024 11:28:48 GMT -5
Would pex tubing work? Manifold it to a central collection point? I guess the terrain may limit that idea.
Ideally run the tubes into a 55 gal drum or 250 caged tote close to the evaporator.
Maybe use a propane powered for less smoke but more $
|
|
|
|
Post by titanium700 on Feb 25, 2024 13:51:46 GMT -5
We do use the pex tubing from the spile to the 3 gallon bucket but unfortunately running it to a holding tank near the future evaporator would take like 3-400 yds of pex tubing.
Itās a great idea but wouldnāt work here.
Iām thinking of maybe a heavy duty plastic 55 gallon barrel strapped on one of my small trailers to deliver next time.
Appreciate the thoughts and comments, this was our first time so any advice or ideas are certainly welcome.
|
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Feb 25, 2024 20:37:51 GMT -5
The big box stores have lids for 5 gallon buckets that snap on, then the center screws on, and there is an O-ring to seal it. I carry the fish from the trailer to the pond in them. 25 gallon lawn sprayer on a trailer behind the ATV? (new sprayer) Use the pump to transfer to the pans. Or call a s s mann (that's the name of the company) to get a small plastic tote with a large screw on top like a 55 gallon barrel but it has a flat bottom. assmann-usa.com/The amish that I know that do the syrup thing do theirs over an open wood fire. I think a little smoke flavor is good. |
|
|
|
Post by budd on Feb 26, 2024 7:07:31 GMT -5
There are several people around me that make syrup. Have a client that give's me a few quarts every spring. All that I know heat with wood. On our facebook market place you can find evaporators for sale daily. Local stores sell that blue tubing by the spools, along with bottles and various supplies for sap collecting.
|
|
|
|
Post by huntsemall on Feb 28, 2024 16:55:06 GMT -5
When I worked for the Division of Forestry, we did a syrup producer's survey/report each year and worked with the Indiana Maple Syrup Association (IMSA). Once I retired, Forestry did not pursue the survey and report. Much of the syrup produced was either given away or used by those who produced it. However, the estimated amount of economic contribution was pretty surprising (2020 - $1.3 million). Here is the link to the last survey/report: www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/fo-maple_syrup_report_2020.pdf The folks in the IMSA were super people to work with and have a wealth of information. They were always willing to share that information. Here is their association link: www.indianamaplesyrup.org/ |
|
|
|
Post by titanium700 on Feb 28, 2024 17:27:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the info guys.
|
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Feb 29, 2024 8:53:02 GMT -5
What's the going rate for 1/2 gallon and 1 gallon jugs?
|
|
|
|
Post by huntsemall on Feb 29, 2024 10:31:43 GMT -5
From the last syrup producer's report (2020) Average price per quart was $13.46  |
|
|
|
Post by bowonlykindofguy1 on Feb 29, 2024 13:45:24 GMT -5
Can maple syrupbe made from any maple tree? I know what silver maples and red maples look like. I have heard of sugar maples just no idea how to tell what is a sugar maple.
|
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Feb 29, 2024 14:46:46 GMT -5
Yes, syrup can also be made from Pecan and Black Walnut trees, although more sap is needed because of the lower sugar content.
|
|
|
|
Post by huntsemall on Feb 29, 2024 16:35:36 GMT -5
When I first started attending the IMSA annual meeting I didn't realize they made syrup from pecan/hickory trees. Stuff wasn't bad at all as I was expecting a bitter taste. During that meeting they would have syrup testing (like wine tasting). One was a bourbon syrup, it was really good, couldn't decide whether to just drink it or put it on pancakes! LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Feb 29, 2024 17:37:58 GMT -5
When I first started attending the IMSA annual meeting I didn't realize they made syrup from pecan/hickory trees. Stuff wasn't bad at all as I was expecting a bitter taste. During that meeting they would have syrup testing (like wine tasting). One was a bourbon syrup, it was really good, couldn't decide whether to just drink it or put it on pancakes! LOL A friend in Oklahoma has a Pecan orchard. They made 1 gallon of syrup one year and one of the daughters used some of it as sugar in a pecan pie. He said it was the best pecan pie he's had. |
|
|
|
Post by titanium700 on Feb 29, 2024 18:32:07 GMT -5
My dadās got a bunch of walnut trees on his property. I understand you can tap them too
|
|
|
|
Post by budd on Feb 29, 2024 19:05:19 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by titanium700 on Mar 2, 2024 12:59:17 GMT -5
Running batch number 2 today. This time 20 gallons of sap.  |
|
|
|
Post by titanium700 on Mar 2, 2024 21:57:24 GMT -5
Well it yielded almost half a gallon again.
Iām really liking this.
I expect probably one more batch and then plan for next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by wsky70 on Mar 7, 2024 10:31:45 GMT -5
Looks really good....SF Woody
|
|
