Maple Syrup! A Sweet Northern Tradition!
Have you ever wanted to make your own maple syrup? Today we will cover the supplies needed. In Minnesota, maple syrup season typically starts in March so you will need to order soon. Supplies tend to sell out pretty quickly once the season starts.
Here are several sources we will reference for maple syrup supplies.
Don’s Sugar Shack, Taylor Falls, MN. We have picked up supplies from here. It’s handy having a place within driving distance to save on shipping costs, especially on larger items like jars.
Roth Sugar Bush: Located in Cadott, WI. They’re online store has everything you need for the hobbiest to the commercial producer.
Amazon: Has a good variety of supplies.
Ebay: Has a good variety of supplies.
Menards: We like to get our bucket lids, drills, and drill bits from Menards. It is a lot cheaper than ordering them from the maple syrup places.
Craigslist: Our go-to for deals on food-grade buckets and more.
There are several different ways to collect sap. We will show two of the more common options for collecting sap on the homestead.
Supplies For Collecting Sap Method 1: 5 Gallon Pails
Note: We used to get used buckets for almost free from the bakery at Cub Foods. Check your local bakery. They might sell them for a reasonable price. You can also find food grade buckets on Craigslist for reasonable deals.
Pail Lid: Fleet Farm, Menards,
Taps: Amazon
3-Way: Amazon
Hoses: Amazon, Fleet Farm,
Drill Bit 5/16: Menards
Supplies For Collecting Sap Method 2: Sap Bags
Equipment for Boiling Sap
All in One Maple Boiler: Ebay,
Basic Boiler
A heat source: Propane Burner, Electric Burner, Wood Fire Etc. Whatever you have available.
Warning: Don’t boil huge amounts of sap indoors! Small quantities for fun are easy to do on the stove but too much can over humidify your house and peal the wallpaper (if you had any).
Candy Thermometer: Ebay, Fleet Farm
Syrup Hydrometer: Ebay
Note: A hydrometer will give you much more consistent results but you can get by with a candy thermometer starting out.
Hydrometer Holder: Amazon
Strainer: Ebay
Strainer Liner: Ebay,
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