Perfect wood fired pizza at the out door kitchen and making maple syrup

In this video I spend a beautiful spring day at the cabin making maple syrup and cooking some amazing delicious wood fired pizza . I make a small improvement to the off grid out door kitchen and do a little spring maintenance and clean up . and of coarse play with my dog Charlie !!

[@denislosieroutdoors]

Pizza looked awesome there eh! Too bad about the syrup.! Thanks for sharing

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !! yeah you can't wander off while its boiling for too long lol . happy too glad you liked it .

[@tennesseeterri]

I am amazed at the amount of sap that you ended up with. How long did it take you to collect that amount?

[@TedJankowski-l9v]

Hey.. Like your with Pizza don;t stop trying you will figure out your syrup to..

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !! the syrups not really that tricky you just can't wander off for as long as I did lol .

[@israelolvera558]

💗💝💗⭐♥️❤️❣️💖❣️

[@blackspruce1861]

Thank you !!

[@djrtime1398]

How do you keep the bears from tossing your outdoor kitchen? I’m in northern Wisconsin and they will get into everything.

[@blackspruce1861]

Oh nice, I was over in northern Wisconsin a couple months ago.kayaked the wolf river . I just don't leave anything out and try not to spill anything , doesn't mean they wont still check it out but I don't know how you would stop them

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Heck yah! awesome mmmmmmm

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks it was pretty good I’ve got it figured out now

[@outsidebin3702]

How come you do you not have a link to bricks in the description area.

[@blackspruce1861]

they're just fire bricks from Menards and blocks from the same place

[@joanntucker2742]

To the person from Italy maple syrup is out expensive in Alabama and everything else. 👍👍😊

[@blackspruce1861]

I can see why its expensive takes a lot of fuel to boil it down it sure is good though

[@davekibbey7944]

Pizza looks great! I managed to get 3 gallons of syrup this year. My personal record. I was thinking, a rocket stove might make a good addition to you outdoor kitchen.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks ! That’s a good haul for syrup . I think you’re right a rocket stove would be pretty nice for boiling sap too

[@Kate-nd4rl]

Why do you tap so low on the tree? Or is that not low? I'm just curious. I've never harvest maple syrup.

[@blackspruce1861]

I don't know if there is a right or wrong for height of the taps I just did it so I didn't use as much of the hose .

[@kingrafa3938]

The pizza looks delicious and Charlie love it too 😋

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !! oh Charlie loves some pizza

[@aurapheliona]

I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you live completely off the land? Or do you have a day job? I've been binge-watching your videos and am super interested in this outdoorsy, off-grid lifestyle.

[@blackspruce1861]

Nope I don’t mind at all . The cabin is just a getaway spot . I have a normal but small house I worked building electrical substations until I had everything paid for . Now I kinda do my own thing building bit here and there KZbin and now selling knives . Living totally off grid I Think would be awesome but I would have to find the right piece of land to want to start over pretty happy where we are . And now having the cabin it’s a pretty nice way to kinda check out

[@osmanromero1169]

The batch of Syrup that burn might have been cause by the oven being next to it. Causing radiant heat.

[@blackspruce1861]

that could be !

[@lorettathomas1917]

Hello, nice to have you back! As always great show. Now I can try my hand at building an oven for my outdoor kitchen. Hope I get it right. Thanks for the info. 👍 Have a great weekend 😃

[@blackspruce1861]

hey thanks !! its good to be back I've been busy with other stuff hopefully I can post more regularly . awesome I'm sure you'll get it right !

[@0Akeldama0]

so you just collect the tree drippings and boil them until they are syrup like?

[@blackspruce1861]

thats how you make maple syrup yes . the sap runs in the spring as the trees are thawing out. you boil it down a bout 40 gallons of sap will give you a gallon of syrup .

[@yhp99]

Great content. Im thinking of making a pizza oven outdoors soon. Looking forward to it

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !! it's a fun project

[@teddysmith457]

Burnt marshmallows, are😅 good they are awesome

[@blackspruce1861]

LOL not poured on pancakes

[@karenc5933]

Hey Ryan, your pizza cooked so good, good idea using fire bricks, they hold the heat better. I bet the smell from the pizza and maple syrup cooking would have been amazing. Great job with your outdoor kitchen.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks it worked really well this time .They do hold heat nicely but the main reason for the fire brick is concrete blocks can't hold up to hours of intense heat they will crack so it makes a bit of a barrier for them . it did smell pretty good ,when I went for my walk I could smell that the sap was burning from half way back lol but it still smelled good . pretty fun time I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@northwoodsyankee3528]

The pizza looks real good minus those nasty shrooms...blech... I've got my cement blocks stacked up, now it's getting the time to make one of these.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !! That’s awesome ! You might want to line the fire boxes with fire brick to make your blocks last longer

[@northwoodsyankee3528]

@@blackspruce1861 That definitely makes sense.

[@justinpolley2490]

Ryan, the pizzas looking better! I teach a lot of culinary classes one of my favorite is wood fire pizza. I have a few thoughts on how to get you to the next level. We should talk.

[@blackspruce1861]

thanks !! really thats awesome what do you have in mind

[@justinpolley2490]

@@blackspruce1861 what's a good way for us to talk about it

[@suzannest-laurentdvorak459]

Was that hot water or maple syrup water? Just curious.

[@blackspruce1861]

Maple syrup water

[@streetsharkz]

You're not cooking it high enough heat either. 550+

[@blackspruce1861]

I know I should have waited a few more minutes but I wasn't sure it would get much hotter next time will be better yet

[@NorthernRetreat]

I'd definitely eat that pizza. Dave and Brooke need one too for their properties. Good video. 👍

[@blackspruce1861]

thanks !! it was the best one so far . that would be funny I sneak out there build one while they're not around lol . probably not a great idea

[@timspoor]

Nice video! Too bad about that pan of syrup

[@blackspruce1861]

thanks !! I was pretty bummed but you win some you lose some . had I just added more sap and filled the pan before I went for a walk it would have been fine .

[@ericwanderweg8525]

The good life indeed. Outdoor cooking, boiling sap and hanging out with a four legged friend 👍 I made a few batches of maple syrup for the first time this year myself. Lots of time and work involved but very much worth it.

[@blackspruce1861]

It sure was a good day . it's fun isn't it . the first time I made it I was amazed how it seems like the homemade stuff over the fire has a natural buttery flavor to it just delicious

[@QuestionHartmann]

Hey nice video. Share your pizza dough recipe with us!

[@blackspruce1861]

thanks !! it was out of a bag lol sorry

[@poppysplace6572]

A couple tips on the Pizza stone, don't wash it with soap and water just scrap the crap off. Also do not slice your pizza on it.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks that makes sense you cut the pizza on it you get a mess .

[@pathickey2553]

My pizza stone shattered after many years of using it, you shouldn’t remove it from the oven until it is cold, the slower it cools the better. But since mine shattered I switched to a plate of 3/8” thick steel my buddy cut to size with his plasma cutter. I seasoned it just like a cast iron pan. Less sticky and it should last forever.

[@bethstewart1319]

I'm glad you didn't give up after a first failure with the pizza. Goes to show perseverense prevails. Good job!

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks ! me too you just have to figure out what went wrong and make some changes

[@kirkdesmond]

Great job! I just ordered a pizza for delivery.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks it must have been a success If I made you hungry😁

[@dospalmascb]

Pizza looks fantastic. This pizza chef is impressed. ❤

[@blackspruce1861]

Thank you !!!

[@King_Bob_The_Third]

Maybe next Maple syrup season harvest the sap the day before and start the boil at the crack of dawn. Or just do it at your house. 😁 The pizza made me hungry, it looked scrumptious.

[@blackspruce1861]

well I takes a few days to fill a bucket but I did wait a little too Long to boil it I had a few more bucket full sitting on a nice pile of snow to keep it cool then it rained one night the snow melted and my buckets tipped over lol . the pizza was delicious !!

[@peperetuque7744]

are you related to Dave wiple

[@blackspruce1861]

Yes we’re brothers

[@sandylipscomb7003]

What kind of dog???

[@blackspruce1861]

one is an austarilian Shepard mix the other is a corgi pitbull mix. I can't remember if both dogs were in this video

[@peperetuque7744]

good job on the pizza

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !!

[@fizalfini]

this is life i want....

[@blackspruce1861]

It is pretty enjoyable !

[@peperetuque7744]

just as i tot same voice

[@blackspruce1861]

yeah pretty close I guess

[@Doc1855]

The only wood in our forest is Douglas Fir.

[@blackspruce1861]

I’ve never cooked over that might work nice I usually use hardwood

[@Doc1855]

@@blackspruce1861 Sadly we don’t have hardwood around here

[@me-l-9910]

It's great to see your tweaks and improvements on the outdoor kitchen. I love how you can change what you need to. I'm always in awe of the whole syrup making process, really cool to have your own maple trees and the chance to do that. Nice video, Ryan. Thanks!

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !! I was pretty happy the change worked I might tweet it a bit more but much better than the first run. I do feel pretty fortunate to have them making syrup has become one of my spring traditions. Thanks again I'm happy you enjoyed it !

[@olivieraleman]

Great vid!

[@blackspruce1861]

Thank you !!

[@bethgruenewald7463]

Nice knife.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks I’m just finishing up another one today

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Thank you

[@blackspruce1861]

my pleasure I'm glad you enjoyed it !

[@joanntucker2742]

Pizza looks delicious! Love dogs and like your video. 😊👍

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !! it sure was . I'm really happy you're enjoying them

[@williamwhite1596]

Nice setup ! God Bless !!!

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks you too!!

[@suzannest-laurentdvorak459]

That’s nice dark maple syrup, yummy , the best colour for amazing tasting maple syrup..

[@blackspruce1861]

Oh yeah !! It’s so much better homemade over a fire

[@ED3]

Great Video. Love the pizza part.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks !!

[@davidjones8680]

Another great episode, that pizza looked delightfully delicious. David in the UK.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks David !! It was very tasty felt pretty good to figure out how to make the oven cook right too

[@Mehdivlog983]

🍕 بيتزا رائعة وطبيعة خلابة 👍👍

[@blackspruce1861]

😁👍👍thank you !

[@bluej511]

That pizza looks amazing. I miss maple syrup. It's so expensive in France for a small ass bottle. I used to live in MA and maple syrup was as cheap as water lol.

[@blackspruce1861]

thanks !! thats quite a move MA to France . it's not super cheap in michigan about 10 bucks for a pint I believe .

[@tommeisenzahl180]

Looks like a perfect day.

[@blackspruce1861]

It was pretty nice thanks !!

[@DiabloOutdoors]

The fire bricks will certainly help! Quick questions: a) is that a DIY or brand oven? If a brand, which one? b) is your setup empty under it or full cement bricks?

[@DiabloOutdoors]

found my answers in your other videos!:) I'm going to make the same one, but will use fire bricks right from the start on the top.

[@blackspruce1861]

good deal . I was going to share both videos with you but it would only let me do one at a time then I couldn't find your comment again after I replied the first time . good plan the fire brick will make it last longer for sure .

[@wobdeehomestead]

Love the outdoor grill/smoker/ sap boiler!

[@blackspruce1861]

thank you !! I'm really enjoying cooking with it

[@gosmoothgolight7567]

Awesome video, Ryan! I've loved syrup season here in Michigan every spring. BTW, nice looking knife. Looks like it fits your hand well. I recently bought a square pizza stone and it looks like I have to try it out (that pizza you made looked delicious!!). Thanks for another well-made video, sir! See you down the road ... God Bless you and yours :)

[@blackspruce1861]

same here syrup season is great I hope to put a little more time and effort into it next year . thanks I have a couple more knives that I need to finish the handles and getting ready to start a new one today . I've never seen a square pizza stone thats different . I wonder if it would make any difference in how it cooks if you put tinfoil on the stone between it and the pizza so you never have to scrub it clean , I've been thinking I'll try that next time . thanks! and you and yours as well

[@gosmoothgolight7567]

@@blackspruce1861 ... The stone came with a wooden pizza "spatula" (I forget the actual name of it) and I'm planning to try cooking with it on my tent stove top (with a lid). REALLY want to try the wood-smoked baking style for myself, though! Later, friend :) P.S. ... I've heard from those who've used a cooking stone that they're like cast iron ... once "seasoned" they cook better, but never wash them or they lose their non-stick qualities. Mom had one that seemed to really work well and had a kind of "character" that got better with repeated use. Hope that helps, Ryan :)

[@blackspruce1861]

@@gosmoothgolight7567 no kidding I already washed this one a few times I guess I’ll try to build up a season on it

[@joshkelloggKCR]

The knife has a great look to it. Really like the copper and brass together. Where did that one come from? Continuous improvement with the smoker/pizza oven. Looking forward to see what you come up with next.

[@blackspruce1861]

Thanks I made it . I’ve been making them for a few years just one here or there mostly but I’m starting to make a lot more now that I have more time . The copper and brass are loveless bolts pretty cool hardware to work with you can get them I think in copper brass and stainless and you can mix and match however you want. opening up that heat Shield was key the fire just needed to breath better I think I might drill a few more holes in the air intake and it should be about right . I’m thinking I might film a knife build start to finish next

[@joshkelloggKCR]

@black spruce I had a feeling you were making them, saw some of the equipment in your shop in another post. Put me on the list for one. Love to see a knife build as well.

[@blackspruce1861]

@@joshkelloggKCR awesome maybe I’ll have to come up and hit the au sable with you and bring a bunch up so you can check them out I totally forgot I bought a canoe last fall it and old fiberglass Mohawk in rough shape but if floats . I actually bought it for a restoration project but haven’t gotten to it yet

[@joshkelloggKCR]

@black spruce heck yeah, soon as it warms up. I think the water is about 34 deg right now.