MomtoCandJ Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 My husband decided yesterday to tap our maple trees.... I have no idea really what to do. I have emptied the jugs this morning I got about three gallons of sap, what do I need to strain it? Can I use 1/2 pint jars at a time when I boil it down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathymuggle Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 (edited) Strain with a sieve. Maybe put a coffee filter in it to catch tiny bits. I do not see why you couldn't put it in 1/2 pint jars….. Edited March 12, 2012 by kathymuggle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 so i don't need cheese cloth... Yeah one less thing I might have to run out and buy. I do have to get the jars though we want small jars so it don't go to waste and so that I can boil down every day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I have no idea. I just want to say that it is very cool you tapped maple trees. I've actually looked into whether or not we could someday plan a trip to see the process. My girls have read about it in so many books, they would be thrilled to see the process. I can't imagine being lucky enough to actually do it. :001_smile: Good luck with your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 it looks like dh wants to make this a yearly thing so maybe next year you can come around the beginning of March to see the process, I know alot of the major producers in the Northern States do tours (Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont (Vermont has a lot)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 My dad used a sheet I think. My mom and I were just remembering our maple syrup days, she made a comment about how important it is to boil it down completely. If it is too thin it apparently spoils. She would definately know. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Is it still syrup time? You just need to simmer it for hours. FYI, my MIL says she stripped the wallpaper off her kitchen walls from the steam of boiling sap :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 my mother inlaw (who works alot and isn't able to help me) said that if we didn't have an exhaust fan that she wouldn't have given dh the taps and drill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 it looks like dh wants to make this a yearly thing so maybe next year you can come around the beginning of March to see the process, I know alot of the major producers in the Northern States do tours (Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont (Vermont has a lot)) I've read about them online. The tours would be fun. Of course, seeing fall foliage would be fun too. It is hard to know which season is best for a trip the northeast. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 it looks like dh wants to make this a yearly thing so maybe next year you can come around the beginning of March to see the process, I know alot of the major producers in the Northern States do tours (Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont (Vermont has a lot)) We have some places here in Pennsylvania (some environmental education type places) that do maple sugaring programs/tours, too. They're pretty fun. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon in TN Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I've been told that if you can boil it down outside, that's the best thing. And don't expect to use the pot again for anything else besides maple syrup. There are some websites with all the steps. We have a lot of maple trees at our new house and I wanted to try and make syrup, but our winter never got cold enough (according to the info on the websites, anyway). Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 FYI, my MIL says she stripped the wallpaper off her kitchen walls from the steam of boiling sap :lol: When they bought this house, the drywall by the stove was all warped from boiling sap. It obviously needed a MUCH better exhaust fan than they had. (40 gallons of sap make 1 gallon of syrup, so the other 39 gallons are stripping the wall paper!) Everyone I know boils it outside (grill or fireplace) or in a sugar shack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathymuggle Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Well, I boil it inside - but in very small batches! It is a sticky sweet job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ. Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 How fun! Good luck with the maple syrup. I still remember a 1st grade field trip to a maple syrup farm. The highlight was when we all scooped up some snow and it was topped with syrup straight from the tree. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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