Maple sap usually starts flowing right away from the drilled hole and spile. Unlike any tree sap that looks sticky and gummy, maple sap looks like water when it starts flowing out from the tap. This is still sticky stuff, though, so better wear some gloves before testing or tasting the sap collected from the tap.
Given that you have collected enough maple sap for you to make that sweet maple syrup for your pancakes and waffles, now is the best time for you to take the collected maple sap and transfer them into clean, sterilized containers. Always make sure that the syrup collected is free from maple tree barks, dust, or any other particles other than the sap. Containers with food-grade ratings are the best when storing the collected maple sap. If you don’t have this yet, you can buy one right from your local merchandise store or opt for a five-gallon bucket that is available from your nearest doughnut shop or local deli.
When cleaning your containers in preparation for sap storage, make sure to use dishwashing liquids or cleaning liquids that leave no strong smell. You can use unscented household bleach, one part, and mix it with clean water, 20 parts. Scrub it well and rinse it with hot water.
You may need to regularly collect the saps. When transferring the sap to their storage containers, you need to use a cheesecloth to filter out unwanted particles. If possible, store the collected saps in a cool storage, preferably 37 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
When you have enough maple sap to use for your maple syrup recipe, you can start preparing the maple sap now. You can have it used right away or boil it first to remove harmful bacteria. You may refer to our Recipes page to know how to best use your maple sap for any other use.