Joe! Thank you sir, appreciate the suggestions. My plan over the summer is to try and use my Granberg chainsaw mill and rip me enough lumber to built some kind of sugar shack, which should help with the poor weather this season moving forward. At that point I'm likely going to cut another barrel and transfer the existing barrel kit to it as well as integrate some larger pans, a siphon system between the two and firebrick. LOVE the idea of a ramp inside, that makes total sense.. would cut my wood burning in 1/2 eh? Certainly explains the shapes of the store-bought evaporators methinks. Still going through a load of content online, yours included to keep figuring this stuff out, so really appreciate that! 🍁

🙌 Thank you! Literally standing in the woods drilling holes, and then standing elsewhere watching liquid boil... if you can't make it entertaining (to yourself if no one else), I'd wager you'd end up dreading the whole process. 😂 Thanks for hanging out with me!

🙌Thank you! Part two (finishing) should flow next

@@simplewoodslife I just go project to another that's life

Thank you! It's been sooooo much trial and error to get here, and I've had chats with folks online, even in restaurants about how "they couldn't because they have 3 trees and wouldn't know where to start" - and it sounded like me 5 years ago, so the video kind of made itself when the idea popped😆 Glad you liked it!

Thank you! Maple sugar isn't the worst outcome though, love your idea of oatmeal with it. Sprinkled on fresh berries or ice cream is also delicious! Congrats on the boils, sounds like you have a great yield all in. Totally hear you on needing to get the seeds started, our next plan too. We're doing an early Easter dinner thing with the whole gang this evening, but looking forward to some down time and can't wait to check your video out! 🐇

Thanks Chris, you too! 🐰🐰

Lol, they do! We have quite a few, and they're all pretty old (so nice and big). Quite a few are dead-standing so would really have to do an audit in the summer and see what we're working with. It's something I've pondered but more down the road until I really feel "setup" with the operation and the sugar shack, because from what I understand it's a helluva commitment. Something like double (or even more) the amount of litres to make birch syrup, and the seasons for tapping don't really run in tandem (which might be fine with me). I've tasted it before and it's not like maple syrup... Wouldn't guess Ms. Lady and the kids would want it on pancakes - But would be cool if we could use it for cooking, in baking or even beer... oh man, do I have to learn how to make beer now? 🍁🍻

ahh, interesting. makes sense to not put a bunch of time and effort into it if you're not going to use it. Although just looked online to find some to try and WOW that is some pricey syrup. Guess it is quite a bit more effort! @@simplewoodslife

​@@_Ubersmith_definitely something to look into down the way, but does look like mega effort. Maybe I'll splurge and buy a little bottle to see if we all like it before we go to all that trouble ha.

🙌 Thank you! Asking your friend about using their maples, or having them join you is a wonderful idea! It's a great way to pass the time, and in the end you get maple syrup 🍁🍁🥞🥞 Let me know how it goes if you get that started. Feels like we're getting another crack at the season?

@@simplewoodslife totally will bud