You can make maple syrup with very little equipment, and you may already have many of these items. Most of the equipment can be purchased at your local store, and the items that are unique to making maple syrup such as spiles, (spouts) hydrometers, and finishing filters can be found at maple syrup equipment suppliers, or even online.
1.) A drill (portable) with a 7/16 inch drill bit.
2.) Spiles (spouts). One for each hole.
3.) One container per tap hole to catch the sap. You can use any wooden, metal, or plastic bucket. Containers can be made from plastic milk jugs as well. Cut a hole large enough so that it can be slipped over the spile at the top of one side of the jug.
4.) Large plastic or metal trash can to store the collected sap in.
5.) A large deep wash tub or metal pan that will hold at least five gallons of sap to be used as an evaporator pan for boiling the sap.
6.) An outdoor fire pit made of brick or cinder block that your boiling pan will fit on. A wood stove set up out of doors is also suitable. Do not boil maple sap in your kitchen.
7.) Dry, fast-burning wood is needed to provide the heat necessary for boiling.
8.) A candy thermometer for testing to see when the syrup is done.
9.) Felt, flannel, or wool filter to filter the maple syrup while hot. Filters and special straining containers can be purchased from maple syrup equipment suppliers. A double layer of flannel can be used.
10.) Clean glass jars that can be sealed tight to store the finished maple syrup. Canning jars are ideal.
11.) Hydrometer (optional) which will tell you when the syrup is done. Maple syrup should weigh at least 11 pounds per gallon.
Making Maple Syrup | How To Make Maple Syrup
