Pre heater temps

[backyardsugarer]

I did a test boil on Sunday with my preheater (hood) and had the temp of the incoming sap as high as 140 degrees. It is a simple copper tubing that runs through the hood 3 times. I am very happy with it. What are some of the other temps. you guys are getting with your preheaters?

Chris

[Brian]

The sap comming in to my float box is 180-195 dependig on the sugar in the sap and the barometric pressure of the day.

[lharris1]

I am just now designing my preheater for the Waterloo Small 2x6. I have a plan that calls for ~21 feet of 3/4" thin wall copper. My flow will be about 25 gph (max 30gph). Does anyone have a feel for whether this is enough?

[brookledge]

Larry,
Brandon has a 2X8 and a home made pre-heater. He could give you an idea if 21' is enough of to much. I'm assuming you are building a parralel type. The theory is to utilize the steam to get it as hot as possible to boiling without having it boil inside the pre-heater. Also Brandon has pictures of his on his web site.

Chris,
Do you have a damper in your hood? If not you could install one and your temp would rise coming out of the pre-heater.
I try to keep my temp coming out at 195. Before I had a damper it would only get up to 180-185.
Keith

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Larry,

21' feet should be plenty. I think I have around 28' on mine so you should in great shape!

There are plenty of pics on my website of the one I built as Keith stated. :)

[mountainvan]

I have a homemade preheater, 22ft 3/4 inch copper, no hood just a piece of stainless over the copper and some well placed flashing for water collection. temp is 170 most boils. boil 100 gallons sap/hr when hot on a 2.5 by 10. I make around 9 gallons of syrup/hr with the ro.