Evaporator pan stainless steel gauge

[Balsam Hills]

Hi all,

I'm looking at fabricating my own sap pan. What gauge stainless steel is optimal for boiling sap?

Thanks much!

[wegnerwelding]

I'm of the school of thought that thinner is better, but I'm partial to that because i make all of my pans out of 22ga.

[Bucket Head]

The thinner the better for heat transfer. However, you need to be a skilled welder and have a TIG welder for the thin stuff. Many homemade pans are made of heavier stainless and they do just fine. Mine are 16ga. and they boil sap very well. I would'nt hesitate to go with that thickness if your not comfortable with, or are not equipped for thin stainless.

Steve

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Most companies make their pans out of 22 gauge and Leader makes theirs out of 20 gauge and some of the other companies offer theirs in 20 gauge too.

[Maple Hunter]

Anything thinner than 22 gauge and you're going to run into problems getting it welded. I just had mine made of 26 and only 2 of probably 15 welding co.'s could weld it and not cheap.