Filtering is necessary as there are things that build up in the syrup itself as it’s cooked, primarily something called sugar sand. This is a mineral buildup that is released from the sap as it is cooked. A lot of people will just pour their syrup through cheese cloth in order to try to trap most of that sediment. As we bottle and glass we like it crystal clear that is why we use a filter press.
Buckets actually do a better job at keeping water/bugs out than the sacks do since they have lids. I starting with sacks years ago and quickly upgraded to 5 gallon buckets with lids.
It’s funny we ran buckets with lids for years and upgraded to the bags because of the fact of how much more time consuming it was To clean and prepare buckets and dealing with lids. We also like the bags as well because when we get the cold snaps at night the bags unthaw a lot quicker than the buckets did. Also we got tired of buckets breaking off of the hooks when they got too heavy.
@@froyo589 were you hanging 5 gallon buckets?? I put them on the ground and run a short length (24”) of tubing to them. I can have two taps per bucket. Cuts way down on emptying times. In terms of cleaning, I just have alcohol in a spray bottle, let them sit, rinse, and dry. To each their own. Nice set up btw!
We have some big stuff coming this season! Between covid making a living and other distractions open water season slipped away from us. We will be back and better then ever this winter!
