Maple Sugaring is Fun and Easy

I made this video three years ago when I began Maple Sugaring as a hobby. It has been fun and rewarding both as a wholesome outdoor winter activity, and as a source of delicious maple syrup. And it is simple and easy to do.

Once the daytime temperatures are above freezing and while the nighttime temperatures are still below freezing, I tap the one tree in my front yard. I have been getting a little more than two liters of sap every day from this one tree. I collect the sap in empty two-liter plastic soda bottles, and every Saturday, I boil it down to syrup. Each year I get about a gallon of syrup, which is plenty for my own use. Since I don't sell it, I don't worry about filters, or clarity, or what color grade it is. I do every step of the process, so I know there is nothing unhealthy in it, and if it comes out a little cloudy, who cares. It tastes great. But honestly, most of the time it comes out perfectly clear, sweet and delicious. Once the sap starts running, I'll do a video of the entire process. But don't wait to get started. The items you will need are below. Have them ready for when the weather starts to warm up.

Here's What You'll Need

The 5/16 inch Treesaver Bit This 5/16" diameter x 3-1/2 inch long drill bit is specially designed to drill the perfect hole for the 5/16” spout in frozen maple trees. The special sharp point will work very well when tapping trees with thick bark. The sharp point is also good for younger trees with smoother bark to prevent the bit from "walking" if not enough force is applied.

A 5/16" Spout for a Bucket The 5/16" plastic spout with hook is designed to be used with the plastic sap bucket and cover for sap buckets, but can also be used with many non-traditional vessels as well. This spout has a hole in the top that works with flat bucket cover hinges. The hook is also very strong and can take the weight of a 3-gallon bucket that is full of sap.

3 Gallon Sap Bucket   The 3-gallon plastic sap bucket is made to withstand the rigors of sap collection. It a hole that fits perfectly on hooked spouts. It is stackable and durable enough to bounce around in a wagon or trailer during tapping. They are a great alternative to galvanized buckets, as they will not dent when dropped. They won't rust, will last for years, and are made from a food-grade polymer approved by the FDA.

Sap Bucket Cover This cover is designed to be used with the plastic sap bucket. It is a hinge style cover and works with the 5/16" plastic bucket spout.  Hinge wire is included with the cover.