Syrup Pan Size

[rbross]

I am looking at evaporators in the 2X8 to 3X8 size. Question is: whats a good syrup pan to flue pan size ratio? Also what is the expected evaporation rate for a wood fired 2X8 without any extras other than a hood?

Thanks for your input.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Rich,

I have a 2x8 and stock without anything on it, it would do 35 to 40 gph max. With a hood, you could easily add a preheater and pick up 3 to 5 gph. The last boil I had last year, I knocked off 470 gallons in 9 hours which comes out to 52+ gph including startup and shutdown. I have a preheater, hood and inferno type arch. The airtight arch with forced draft makes a world of difference.

As far as syrup/flue pan ratio. One about any 8' evaporator, you are going to have a 3' syrup pan and a 5' flue pan regardless if it is a 2x8 or a 3x8. :D

[DirtPoor]

You can get either 2' or 3' wide, raised flue evaporator with a 2' syrup pan and 6' flue pan. Remember , the larger the flue pan , the more evaporation.

[rbross]

Thanks for the replies. I assume if a seperate finishing pan were used than going with a larger flue pan would make more sense.