Trees must have started running yesterday afternoon when the temperature warmed and sun came out. Then dripped into the evening before it froze. It was 27 overnight. Sunny and 40 today with a cold wind. But the trees continued running. We checked the buckets and Noon. They were running well and we needed to collect by 3:00 PM. Picked up 495 gallons.
Into the woods by 8:00 AM to clean the syrup pan. Letting it soak in cleaning solution makes it easier to clean. Also ran another hot wash on the membrane.
Went to Menards to get a ½” to ¼” bushing so we can replace the thermometer on the bottler with another thermometer that has ¼” fittings.
Labeled several cases of syrup to have ready for a group that is visiting on Wednesday.
Cleaned the tanks by 2:00 PM. Started collecting at 2:50 PM. Back to the farmhouse by 6:00 PM.