Gauge of metal for heat transfer

[glfisherman]

Does the thickness of stainless matter in a evaporator pan? Most pans are made of 20-22 gauge. I have a buddy that is fabricating a pan out of 16 ga. Will that make a significant differance in the rate of boil?

[Bucket Head]

Well, if he could make it out something thinner he'd be a little better off. However, sap will still boil in the 16ga. pan. I made my current flue pan from the same thickness becuase thats what I had access to, and it boils. As a kid, my father had a small flat pan made for me from 1/8" steel and I used that for years. You get a hot enough fire under any pan and the sap will boil.

Steve

[Brent]

A thicker pan will take more wood. How much more I couldn't make an intelligent guess.

Nearly every evaporator in the world is 20 gauge. Why would he think he knows something the commecial guys havn't been through? Only reason I can think of is the thinner stuff is harder to weld.