Maple syrup season will be upon us before we know it. Now is the time to prepare to cook maple syrup and collect sap. Getting ready for maple syrup really builds the excitement for the season.
Where to Start
When getting ready for maple syrup season you are going to want to make sure you check all of your equipment. I always do this at the end of the season as well so there shouldn’t be too many surprises. A big reason you want to check your equipment is to make sure nothing is broken or lost. I know that during the year whenever anyone needs a 5-gallon bucket, my sap buckets are usually the place where they go to find one. So I always like to check what I have to help decide what I need.
Planning your Route
Next, is planning out what your setup is going to look like this year. No matter which way tree tapping setup you use it is always good to plan out what goes where. Last year we expanded how many trees we tapped, and now we have tried something new that we didn’t necessarily like so we know that we have to get different taps for those trees this year. We were also planning on expanding again, so we need to account for those taps as well. Planning it out ahead of time will help us be prepared for when the sap starts running.
Not only are we going to be gathering our tapping and collecting equipment, but we also need to make sure we have everything to cook it down. Hydrometers, filters, boilers, and whatever else you use to turn the sap into syrup. For the big things like boilers, you may just have to verify it is ready to go, but for things like hydrometers and filters, you may need to replenish. I can’t say I have broken a hydrometer yet, (knock on wood) but they usually are very easy to break so I always make sure I have a backup.
Collecting Supplies
Now that we know what is needed and what we have we can run to the local Maple Syrup tapping store and grab the supplies we need. Luckily we have one about a half hour from us, however, I know not everyone will. Make sure to check out your local sporting goods store or any resale sites. Syrup is a pretty big commitment so people tend to get into and out of it all the time. You can find some great deals on resale sites for tapping equipment. Some metal taps last generations.
When it comes to getting new filters you don’t have to go and get the fanciest thing. Make sure you check out different methods of filtering your syrup. I know I have tried a few so far and haven’t found one that I have loved quite yet. I am hoping the new one I try this year is it. Also, if you plan on turning your syrup into sugar then you can skip this step entirely.
Once all of the equipment is gathered, I like to give it a quick wash. This tends to be a bit harder depending on the supplies you use and how you clean them. I use buckets so bringing them in and out of the sink gets to be a bit difficult but overall worth it as it ensures that the buckets and hoses that I use to collect my sap don’t have mold, spiders, or really anything else to contaminate the sap.
Ready to go!
Now you are ready for maple syrup season! I have gone a few years without checking all of my equipment before the season and I always felt like I was scrambling when the sap started to run. However, the last few years of being prepared have made such a difference. So getting ready for maple syrup season before the first run makes everything run much smoother.
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