I’m happy to say that our maples were done running on April 6, 2019. Another sapping year is in the books and we’ve put away just under 5 gallons of syrup this year. This year we filtered with store bought filters (a pre filter and a final filter). It was a lot easier than our layers of cheesecloth filter from last year. We’ll be continuing with the store bought filters next year. The shape of the filter and the loops at the top made it easy to hang from our vent hood so the sap could take it’s time in filtering. Basically, you use a new pre filter each time you finish a batch and then rinse out the heavier filter thoroughly with really hot water. It worked great! “Priming” the filters before using with hot water is necessary. The instructions are on the package. It’s an orlon filter bag and a pre filter. Definitely get more than the single pack of the pre filter!
