We tap our red maple tree using a tap, some plastic tubing, and empty milk jugs.
The plastic tubing helps keeps the bugs out, and the milk jugs provide convenient storage.
(The neighbors’ kids drink the milk)
Tapping the tree
The sap is reduced in batches throughout the season. Otherwise we would have 40 gallons of sap stacked in the garage!
The stove was obtained specially for this purpose. Other (more common?) uses include deep-frying turkeys, and boiling lobsters.
Boiling the sap with an industrial strength stove
To boil the sap down to the correct concentration without burning requires extreme accuracy.
Good thing my family is so good with precision.
Making the syrup requires intense concentration
After the syrup is ready, it’s poured hot into jars. As the air cools, the jars are sealed and the syrup is safe for the season.
The darker syrup is actually a batch made from sap gathered later in the season. I wonder what makes the difference?
Maple syrup. Note that one jar has already been eaten.
Ditch the Umbrella 
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