Small Bros. w/ Blue tag is it lead free??

[ELM_DALE_MAPLE]

I'm looking at buying a Small Brothers evaporator with the blue tag on it. Is the solder lead free from this era?? Any info would be great and how much are these pans worth compared to ss welded?

[Dan W]

I have a Small 2x6 raised flue. It has a sticker on the flue pan that states lead free solder for maple production. Don't remember what color it is though.

[tuckermtn]

you can get a simple and cheap lead test kit from the hardware store...usually you just scuff the solder and get it wet then use the test strip...

[argohauler]

I had a used blue sticker SB 2x8. It was made in 83 and it was lead soldered.

Neighbours got a new gold sticker SB 2x6 in 86 or 87 and it had lead solder.

My next evap was a used gold sticker 3x12, I got in 97 and it was lead soldered and then the syrup police came around and now I have, in the Small Bros. style, a 3x9 made by Grimm and a 3x3 made by Darveau.

Chances are it has lead in it, but get the test kit and know for sure.

[Flat47]

It's got lead solder. Blue tags are pre-87. Everybody went lead-free by '95 and were tagged as such.

[ELM_DALE_MAPLE]

So its a 3x8 with 2 syrup pans and a clapped out arch that needs re-tinned. What is it worth???

[nymapleguy607]

I would be very cautious about an older evaporator like that. The use a cheap grade of stainless steel and unless they have been properly taken care of they can have pin hole leaks in them. That happened to me with the first evaporator I bought It was a small brothers 2x6. If you are serious about buying it I would have them fill it with water to make sure that it is still water tight. If you find one leak I would garantee that there are probably 1000 more that are almost ready to leak.

[Flat47]

The use a cheap grade of stainless steel and unless they have been properly taken care of they can have pin hole leaks in them.

To be fair, it isn't that they used "cheap" stainless. True, it's probably 430 stainless, but that's what the industry was using at the time. It was part of the evolution of manufacturing (430 is better than tin, 304 is better than 430). Yes, the 304 being used today is better. We know that now.

430 stainless has a higher iron content and is magnetic, whereas 304 is not. Easy to check with a magnet. And you nailed it about the pin holes. One of the Athertons at Small Brothers USA (now CDL Maple Pro) told me to never use the acidic pan cleaners used on 304 in a 430 pan. Just too aggressive.

I say look it over really closely and look for "freckles" - they may be the start of pin holes. And, retinning an arch is really very easy. That alone would not be a deal breaker for me.

[Dave Y]

So its a 3x8 with 2 syrup pans and a clapped out arch that needs re-tinned. What is it worth???

Scrap price. I wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole. You would be throwing good money after bad.

[Flat47]

Scrap price. I wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole. You would be throwing good money after bad.

Why? Are you looking to buy it, too?

[ELM_DALE_MAPLE]

You guys got me worked up a little now...I want this rig bad but I don't want to waste money either. I've been thinking about this for a year and saving money so I appreciate the info and I just like talking about evaporators anyway. Now what I'm about say I don't want anybody to take wrong but it seems like if you can't afford new ss welded everything your operation is viewed as sub-par. We gotta start somewhere though right?

[Dave Y]

If it it is that old and lead solder you can find better for reasonable price. With all the talk about keeping your equiment free of lead and chemicals why would you want to by some thing that you have to worry about. regardless whether you eat it all your self or pass it around. as i stated I would not touch it with a ten foot pole. ElM Dale ask for advise, thats my advise.

[Dave Y]

Elm Dale, I see that you have a 2x6 and close to 200 taps, if you want to expand, make syrup with what you have another year. sell what you make and put it with the money you have saved and buy a lead free rig. that way you will not have to worry about lead. you will be happier in the long run.

[ELM_DALE_MAPLE]

Dave I appreciate it. I learn so much on the forum which is great. Before I got on here all I had was grandpa and what he learned from years gone by and the old ways of doing things. If I ever get to Marienville this time of year I'd love to see your operation!

[Dave Y]

Elm Dale, you are welcome any time. I hope you can get what you need for your operation.

[Ed K]

I have an 85 waterloo 2x8 with a newer front s/s welded.It's a raised flue which I don't like,BUT. Paid $1900. so if it's less than 1k look at it really good.tinning ain't that hard.And you can get newer pans later.