dirty flues?

[MainelyMaple]

I've been boiling since 6 this morning, and the flues were clean when I started. The boil in my back pan has slowed quite a bit the last hour or so. Are my flues that dirty already? I've got another 600 or so left to boil is it worth letting the fire go out, clean the flues, and fire it back up for the last 6 or 7 hours?

[hambone]

Have you cleaned out your ashes under the grates?

[500592]

How bout the foam

[bees1st]

I cleaned my flues and picked up 20 gal./ hour, on a 3x10

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

The wetter and more sap in your wood, the quicker the flues will coat and the coating adds insulating to the underside of the pans and will slow your boil.

[PerryW]

I have never cleaned the underside of the flues on my pan except at the end of the season and have made as much as 200 gallons in a season. I have never noticed any difference in boiling rate, but I always use real dry softwood .

[3rdgen.maple]

I clean mine befroe every boil. You would be amazed at how much soot comes off them and I burn nothing but dry softwood.

[PerryW]

you guys started making me feel guilty. Just gave the bottoms of the flues a brushing.

[3rdgen.maple]

Now dont you feel better about yourself Perry LOL