Maple syrup question...

HomesteadBaker · #1 03/02/09, 10:07 AM

I posted this in the "Official maple syrup" thread, but thought I'd post it here, too......

I have a question...... is anyone making syrup in their regular household kitchen? I have a gas stove and two huge stately old sugar maples in my front yard... and just wondered if it was feasible to boil down the sap in my kitchen.

Thanks in advance.

Kitty

kjmatson · #2 03/02/09, 11:14 AM

Sure you can but make sure you have an exhaust fan running or you will need a rain jacket. It takes a long time and the byproduct is ALOT of steam.

bill not in oh · #3 03/02/09, 11:23 AM

Think candy coated kitchen...

HomesteadBaker · #4 03/02/09, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill not in oh

Think candy coated kitchen...

LOL....... ok.... nicely painted picture.

Thanks.

Kitty

HomesteadBaker · #5 03/02/09, 08:32 PM

Someone posted somewhere about putting a fine mesh seive over the boiling pot of sap.... would that work to keep the "stickies" to a minimum?

Kitty

ericjeeper · #6 03/03/09, 05:52 AM

The sugar should stay in the pan. Not in the steam. I have finished off many a gallon of syrup on the kitchen cook stove. And my cabinets above are not sticky.

beaglebiz · #7 03/03/09, 05:57 AM

I only have 4 sugar maples, and I have been boiling it off on the kitchen stove. Use the splatter screen, turn on the fan if you can, and watch it like crazy as the sap boils down, because at a certain point it boils down fast.
I only have 1 1/2 pts syrup so far, but not bad for free.

HomesteadBaker · #8 03/03/09, 07:45 AM

Great, beaglebiz! I have a spatter screen!

I only have 2 maples, and they are indeed sugar maples! I am searching for spiles, but it doesn't appear that anyone local has them! Figures. I am in this for a learning experience as well... and my son is excited about it (which is a small miracle in itself!), so off I go hunting for spiles on the internet....

Kitty

HomesteadBaker · #9 03/03/09, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rose2005

We reduce ours down outside (did 25 gallons the other day), and then finish off on the stove with the fan going. No sticky mess.

Rose

Thanks, Rose. Do you use a hydrometer, or just a thermometer when finishing your syrup?

Kitty

HomesteadBaker · #10 03/03/09, 08:55 AM

Thanks, Rose. I will check them out.

Kitty

ericjeeper · #11 03/03/09, 02:54 PM

Can be constructed from almost anything. Take a dowel rod 2.5-3 inches in length and drill a hole in it..(use a vice to hold the dowel secure while drilling)
Someone suggested using brake line from the auto parts store,I have even drilled bolts (I do not recommend this, tend to brake a lot of bits)
Indians were said to have used a limb from a certain bush and push the center out. Might call an antique store locally and see if they have a few from the days gone by.

HomesteadBaker · #12 03/03/09, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericjeeper

Can be constructed from almost anything. Take a dowel rod 2.5-3 inches in length and drill a hole in it..(use a vice to hold the dowel secure while drilling)
Someone suggested using brake line from the auto parts store,I have even drilled bolts (I do not recommend this, tend to brake a lot of bits)
Indians were said to have used a limb from a certain bush and push the center out. Might call an antique store locally and see if they have a few from the days gone by.

I talked to my best friend and her husband today and he said he makes spiles out of PVC pipe, even told me how to make them. I am in luck, though, a fellow HT'er has found some for me! I will have them tomorrow and hopefully have the tree tapped and everything in place Thursday morning! Thurs - Sat is supposed to be in the 40's during the day, and 20's at night..... just about perfect sap weather, isn't it?

Kitty

Quiet Guy · #13 03/04/09, 07:23 PM

So, Did you get your trees tapped ok?