This was my first year getting back into sugaring after 20 years absent. So back then I was using a 2x4 flat pan on an old leader arch in batches, dumping 10 gallons of cold sap in at a time. Boy, if I knew what I do today I could have saved a lot of time and made a much lighter Maple Syrup. All of the taps were on pails.

So here is a list of items that went well and some that need changing:

Improvements since 20 years ago that when well: divided drop flue back pan (18x16), divided finishing pan (18x18). Draw off valves. Understanding the syrup needs to be really hot (200+) to filter. Running the pans with 1.5 – 2 inches of sap. All taps on tubing, still need to learn more, but easy to gather the sap.

Improvements I made during this season that went well: Adding a preheater, 20 feet of 3/8 copper wrapped around the stack - helped, but need more heat. Using a coffee urn to filter and fill the bottles with, huge difference. Moving away from the 110 volt pump to transfer the sap from the holding tank in the wood to the back of the tractor to a 12 volt self priming pump with quick connects. no more cold sap baths.

Things that did not go so well: Trying to boil while I had work responsibilities I had to attend to. The preheater vapor locked and the finishing pan over boiled a gallon of syrup down the side of the arch and on to the ground, what a mess, caught it before it burned the pan.

Things that went well this season: I made 5 gallons of syrup. My daughter and I spent time gathering sap boiling, testing (lots of taste testing), bottling and tinkering to make improvements.

Changes for next year: Make a better preheater - I’m thinking water jacket on the stack. Add insulation between the pans and arch. I have enough stainless steel to make taller pans (currently 5” sides), so new pans are in order. Firewood cut before I need it, damp wood does not burn as hot as it should. The sugar shack finished and the arched moved in. Add an air gap on the edge of the grates to promote boiling on the edge of the front pan. Add air gap between the edge of the flues and the arch to get the flue pan to promote boiling on the edge of the pan. A couple cans of heat resistant spray paint to stop the new metal from rusting any further.