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

[Clay Taylor]

Hi Jim - 

You are correct about the possibility of Super Heated water in a Microwave - it reaches the temperature of water's boiling point, but doesn't actually bubble, needing an extra kinetic energy "kick" to get it over the energy hump.   Adding the sugar causes it the boiling point to lower and stirs up the water molecules, and the liquid suddenly boils furiously.   That's why I bring the water to a full boil in the microwave.    Plus, my microwave has the carousel that rotates the vessel, which adds the extra energy to make sure the whole thing gets a rolling boil going.

Most times the only reason that I put out a small batch of the 100-degree-ish nectar (if it's summertime, the ambient temp is pretty close, and those feeders usually dissipate heat pretty quickly) is if I discover that the birds have drained the feeder and they are clamoring for more.   I have at least three pairs - hard to tell exactly how many.   Otherwise, I make a bigger batch for the refrigerator.

Clay Taylor
Moodus, CT
ctaylor at att.net 






  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Zipp 
  To: Clay Taylor 
  Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 12:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [CT Birds] CTBirds Digest, Vol 378, Issue 1


  One note of warning with this method.  I also use the microwave method but not the ice.... just let it cool on it's own and keep in the fridge but I know someone that had a problem doing so.

  She had heated the water normally in the micro... not sure how long or how hot.  When she poured the sugar in it virtually exploded in her face!  I have no idea what caused it as I've been doing it this way for years but I now make sure my face is not right over that container for sure.  She had pretty bad burns covering her face that took a long time to heal.

  Jim 
  The Fat Robin Wild Bird and Nature Shop
  www.fatrobin.com
  Jim Zipp Bird Photography
  www.jimzipp.com



  ----- Original Message ----
  From: Clay Taylor <ctaylor at att.net>
  To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
  Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2008 10:18:46 AM
  Subject: Re: [CT Birds] CTBirds Digest, Vol 378, Issue 1

  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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