Syrup questions...

Bettacreek

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So, thinking about making birch syrup, or at least boiling sap down a good bit to make some yummy drinks, I was wondering, can I use a copper kettle to cook it over a "camp" fire? We have a wood furnace and a fireplace, but no woodstove, so I'm going to see if I can get the bf to buy a copper kettle for me so that I can cook it more efficiently outside. He had said about hooking up an electric stove out on the porch for all of the "yucky" stuff (boiling traps, skulls, etc), but I'd rather use a fire and kettle if possible.
 

valmom

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Ooh, what kind of birch? I wonder if we have any on our property...

I boiled maple syrup last year for the first time- in the kitchen. We only tapped 6 trees, and boiled for about 3 weeks, but it really didn't seem to make the walls sticky, or put too much humidity in the house as we had been warned would happen. I did consider boiling it outside on a fire, but it is darn cold to do without a sugar house. I think for maple syrup they tend to use a cast iron cauldron or something stainless steel. I think it can react with some metals, and I'd be leery of copper. I used a big stainless steel stock pot, and it even pitted that.
 

sylvie

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FWIW-I boiled in old turkey roasting pans over an outdoor fire. I set up concrete blocks-no mortar so not permanent- placed a couple of grills on top and made syrup. No idea how copper would work. I made many gallons of syrup.

Didn't you start a thread on this birch syrup not too long ago? :idunno
 

Bettacreek

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Thanks guys. I'll probably see if I can find several roasters and do the same thing. Would probably be much cheaper anyways. And, yup, I had a question on the spiles. Thought that since this was the end process, it would fit here better.
 
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