Problems bottling again. The filter press did not push through all the syrup from the milk can. Its a hand pump so it takes physical effort to work the lever. It got hard to pump and we had to give up with about 2+ gallons in the finishing pan. The theory is the syrup got too cool in between mixing in the filter aid and pumping through the filter press.

We had about 5 gallons through the press and into the bottling pan. The first 11 quarts we crystal clear, then abruptly turned cloudy. The temperature was 200°. The theory is this was too hot for too long in the bottling pan. We have to strive for 190° and stay under 200°. We’ll try again tomorrow.

Nothing has been easy this season.

2” of snow overnight. 33 for the temperature overnight. Cloudy and 40 today. Tomorrow’s forecast is rain again.

Into the woods at 2:15 PM to get the finish pan going. Back to the farmhouse by 5:30 PM.