[CT Birds] CTBirds Digest, Vol 378, Issue 1

[Clay Taylor]

All -

Boiling certainly makes the sugar go into solution far faster, and might be 
more complete (less chance of undissolved crystals that will then 
precipitate more sugar molecules - remember Rock Candy?).

I do it the Lazy Man's way - 5 Minute Hummingbird Food.   A recipe from my 
cousin Tim the Tool Man......

Starting with the 4 to 1 proportions of water and sugar, I take 1/2 of the 
necessary water needed and heat it to boiling in the microwave (3 minutes 
works for my model), using a Pyrex mixing bowl with handle.    While the 
microwave is running, I measure out the same volume of crushed ice and cold 
water.   When the microwave goes "Ding", I add the sugar and stir with a 
plastic or metal spoon until all the crystals are gone.    I then add the 
ice & water, and stir until the ice is gone.

The sugar-water solution is now about 100 degrees, and can be immediately 
added to the feeders.

Now if I get a bigger microwave.......Ho, ho ho.....

Clay Taylor
Moodus, CT
ctaylor at att.net



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Sailcarm at aol.com>
To: <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] CTBirds Digest, Vol 378, Issue 1


> re: preparing the sugar water for hummingbirds--
>
> I was told that there is no need to boil the water, that one can just mix 
> the
> sugar with the water without boiling it first, which is what I did last
> summer.
>
> Could someone weigh in with which is the better method and/or if it is OK 
> to
> not boil the water.  I cleaned my hummer feeder every two days last summer 
> and
> didn't seem to have any problems with either the feeder or the water/sugar
> mixture.
>
> Carolyn Cimino
>
>
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