Instructions

1. Drill into a maple tree, making a hole in which to insert the spout. Use a cordless drill with a 5/8 drill bit. Tap the spout in place with a rubber mallet. The hole should be no deeper than necessary for the spout to be fully inserted. Hang a bucket from the spout. Repeat this process with as many trees as you would like to tap.

2. Allow the sap to collect during the day. Pour all of the syrup from the different pails into a single kettle. When you have collected at least four or five gallons, hang the kettle on a tripod over a fire and boil the sap, stirring it from time to time to keep it from sticking or burning. Be careful it doesn't get so hot that it burns: if the sap begins to bubble a lot, remove it from the fire for a few minutes and allow it to cool slightly.

3. Boil the sap continually until the amount has reduced to about one eighth of its original volume. It will be much thicker than it was, but it still won't be syrup.

4. Pour the sap into a smaller pot and take it into the house. Place the pot on the stove and continue boiling it.

5. Keep stirring and watching the sap. If it begins to boil too hard, producing lots of foamy bubbles, remove it from the heat and stir to prevent burning. Reduce the heat and return the sap to the stove. When the sap has boiled down to about one quarter of the amount you brought into the house, it is done. Allow it to cool.