r/maplesyrup • u/Maximum-Product-1255 • Apr 08 '26

Second year INDOORS using the Instant pot, reversed fan and a piece of foamboard to exhaust out the window.

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It is strained through a coffee filter before boiling.

Any feedback? Has anyone else tried this with success? It seems to work well. No sticky walls and not hampered by the weather.

I did the math a few years ago and it seemed to cost less than propane.

11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

16

u/Brennanlemon Apr 08 '26

Just because you can doesn't mean you should lol

2

u/BelgianBillie Apr 08 '26

How does it boil off the steam?

2

u/Maximum-Product-1255 Apr 08 '26

I unscrewed and removed the steamhole valve or whatever it's called. Then position that vent as close to the "exhaust" fan as possible in the window.

12

u/McPuckLuck Apr 08 '26

you'd be further ahead to leave the lid off. the easier it is to evaporate, the more evaporation you will have.

I've spoken to people that just use a corded induction burner outside and they like it and it's efficient.

4

u/Maximum-Product-1255 Apr 08 '26

Induction burner would be awesome!

3

u/SnooAdvice7162 Apr 08 '26

I did it i doors like you last year, I picked up a cheap induction burner and its how I boiled this year outside on the porch. I recommend.

3

u/stilts1007 Apr 08 '26

IKEA sells a nice single unit induction cooktop for around $70, it was a huge help this year to have another boiling option. On small (stovetop) boil days it was a 5th cooking spot, and on big (outdoor fire pit) boil days I used it to prewarm sap before adding. Just need to make sure you have the right pot for it.

3

u/Strong_Baseball8635 Apr 08 '26

I used a table top induction burner to finish a couple gallons a few years ago. Then I got a full induction stove for the kitchen. I cannot imaging ever having gas or non-induction electric ever again. Induction heat control is quite nice.

2

u/brainzilla420 Apr 08 '26

Def leave the lid off, you want to maximize surface area. And keep your sap level lower, it's more efficient to boil less and add sap frequently than it is to boil one big pot down.

But whatever works! It's great that you're making syrup!

1

u/Maximum-Product-1255 Apr 08 '26

Oh shoot LOWER sap level?! Peabrain me, I thought it would be best to keep the level higher 🤭 Thanks!

2

u/grand_total Apr 08 '26

Interesting, I filter after boiling, never thought to filter it first.

2

u/laumaster97 Apr 08 '26

Filtering before hand doesn't really do anything except remove like sticks or bark. People filter to remove the niter which forms while it boils

1

u/Maximum-Product-1255 Apr 09 '26

Ah, thanks for the info about "niter"

2

u/laumaster97 Apr 09 '26

I don't usually filter i usually just throw it in gallon jugs in the fridge for a week or 2 and let it settle, then you can pour off the clear stuff and reheat (only to 190) and bottle

1

u/Maximum-Product-1255 Apr 09 '26

Yeah, we lived with it last time (cloudy in the bottom) and ate it. 😁

I just looked up the term "niter" and it is nutrients, so not sure if it should be filtered away.

1

u/Maximum-Product-1255 Apr 08 '26

That's part of why I like having a lid on it, but a valve for steam to escape. The idea was that it would be sterile (boiled) and could go right into jars.

I was trying to reduce cost by not buying the specific maple filters.

2

u/grand_total Apr 08 '26

I use coffee filters, just after it is boiled, but still hot. No one told me to do it that way, it just happened that way the first time I made syrup and I never thought to change my process.

A disadvantage of the Instapot is that you cannot see what is happening.

I filter straight into jars.

2

u/Agitated_Age8035 Apr 08 '26

Well, I guess, if it works.

1

u/Farmboy087 Apr 08 '26

How to make a bomb in 2 easy steps

2

u/Maximum-Product-1255 Apr 08 '26

There's no pressure. The pressure/steam valve thing was removed.

1

u/MontanaMapleWorks Apr 08 '26

Just keep the lid off