Into the woods by 5:15 AM to cook. Mid 20s overnight. Sunny, but only 30 during the day. Mid 20s again tonight with rain/snow tomorrow.
Got by with R/O again. It’s challenging when we are used to much better performance. We’re removing only ½ of the water and 4 Brix.. With 360 gallons of sap, we had to cook 180 gallons instead of 90 gallons if could get 7 Brix. That’s a big difference. A 6 hour day verse a 10 1/2 hour day.
Syrup color is lighter today. Cooler weather helps. We won’t get Golden again, but Amber is nice too.
Took off one last batch at the end of the day to ensure it didn’t get to density when we left.
The wall clock failed. We are used to looking at the clock to monitor our performance cooking. Every hour we check and record tank levels and note when we take off batches. It helps plan the day and keep on schedule. Our phone has a clock, but it’s easier to glance at the wall clock to note the time rather then take a phone out of our pocket and unlock it.
We are trying to condition the new membrane. It arrived dry. It has to soak 24 hours in water before use.
The day cooking.
5:55 AM R/O start
7:00 AM 3 ½”
7:35 AM batch
8:00 AM 3 ½”
8:50 AM batch
9:00 AM 3 ¾”
10:00 AM 4 ½”
10:05 AM batch
11:00 AM 4 ¾”
11:15 AM batch
12:00 PM 4 ¾”
12:45 PM batch
1:00 PM 5 ¼”
1:00 PM R/O done
2:00 PM 3 ½”
2:10 PM batch
2:30 PM 1 ¾”
3:00 PM 1”
3:25 PM batch
3:30 PM done
Back to the farmhouse by 3:45 PM