Maple Syrup Process Flow Diagram
A process flow diagram is key to planning and continuous improvement
A short post today, simply to provide something that might be of value to anyone considering the production of maple syrup, on any scale. If you are just starting out, and want to make sure you get it right the first time, check out Tap My Trees; we steer clear of using plastics, and got our start using their Starter Kit With Aluminum Buckets, or you might consider the Starter Kit For Teachers.
I have found that mapping out the process helps me to ensure that we have everything we need, in place, to perform the task at hand, maple syrup production being no exception to this general rule. This flow chart is simply a thought-starter, no doubt it is not perfect, nor does it incorporate every possible detail. However it might be of use to you, I certainly hope so. As this process is refined, so has been the process flow chart, the last update being in 2020. Whenever you scale up, as we have done three times, consider every step in the process, and the impact of scale on your needs. We started with 13 taps in 2014, scaled up to 50 in 2016, then to 500 in 2018, and 1,000 in 2019.
And, just so you can see how I actually create the process flow diagram, below is an earlier version I used in putting together the equipment and supplies for the 2016 season.
— John, originally posted on primalwoods.com 2016 March 05
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