Barn Conversion Suggestions

[wildoats]

Hi All, I have a large barn roughly 22'x60', with three bays, the bay on the far right is framed in as a workshop, where the other two are open. I would like to convert the rear of the workshop into my sugaring area. I was thinking of putting in a shed dormer on the rear where the steam would get vented. I am trying to avoid having to rip out all of the flooring up on the second floor. Also, I have a small evaporator 18"x48" so I don't need or want to convert the whole workshop into a sugar shack.
My questions: If it was framed in properly, could a shed dormer suffice for venting purposes? Have you see this before?
Thanks for your help
Michael

[Bucket Head]

I'm not sure if that would work or not. I know there won't be "tons" of steam coming off the rig, but if what does come off can't get out well, everything in the building is going to be moist after a short time of boiling, I'm thinking. If it was a dedicated sap house, so be it, but I would'nt want to be putting a lot of moisture in the air of a garage/workshop type building. Is there anyway of fabricating a makeshift hood and ducting to guide the steam to an outlet- a vent, small window, whatever, so you don't have to worry about soaking everything? Even if you don't have steam building up and can see in the garage, high humidity will make steel items rust that were not rusty before. And you won't realize it was too humid until much later when you go to grab a tool, part, etc. and its got surface rust on it.

Steve

[halfpint]

I have a half pint which has a 2' x 3' pan, roughly the same size as your evaporator. I built a hood and put a blower motor from a furnace on the top and ducted it to atmosphere. This takes the vast majority of the steam and removes it from my shed/sugar shack. The size of the hood is exactly the same as the pan at it's widest (see profile pic) and the ducting is 4" aluminum dryer duct. All very low cost or recycled material, but effective.

I am also a wood technologist and I agree with buckethead. If you like your barn, don't just add steam and let it go where it wants. It will not only rust your tools it will weaken the wood and introduce mold, fungus, and rot. The consequences are can be extreme. Ounce of prevention and all that. Good luck,

Tim

[wildoats]

Thanks for your suggestions. Could you email me a copy of your profitle picture with hood, so I could see a larger size picture of it. I can't figure out a way to enlarge the thumbnail on the website.
My email is mfaber5@gmail.com
thanks again
Michael