THE MILL HOLLOW MAPLE SUGAR HOUSE

THE MILL HOLLOW MAPLE SUGAR HOUSE IS USED FOR MAKING MAPLE SYRUP FROM THE SAP OF A MAPLE TREE.  BRIAN, WITH THE HELP OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUILT THIS SUGAR HOUSE IN 2013. IT IS A TIMBER FRAME CONSTRUCTED FROM LOGS FELLED FROM THEIR PROPERTY.  IT HOLDS UPWARDS OF 70 CORDS OF WOOD AND 7000 GALLONS OF RAW SAP. IT IS HOME TO THE EVAPORATOR AND REVERSE OSMOSIS MACHINE. 

 
P1011092.jpg
 

REVERSE OSMOSIS

To turn raw maple sap into maple syrup requires a series of concentration methods. The first step in this process is reverse osmosis. The reverse osmosis machine removes upwards of 90% of the water from the sap. This takes the sap from about 2% sugar to about 15% sugar. The concentrated sap then goes to the evaporator.

EVAPORATOR

The second and final stage of concentration is evaporation. The evaporation happens in our wood fired boiler. The concentrated sap is boiled over a wood fire until the proper amount of water is boiled off leading to the signature flavor, color and density of maple syrup.