What are your "can't live without" sugar house features?

[Lazarus]

We're planning a new sugar house for 2013, after losing ours to snow load last year. Our 150 year old timber frame storage barn we were using suffered a critical structural collapse during the 2011 season, and we spent all of the remainder of the year building a brand new timber frame (see my avatar). But I don’t want to cut holes in it for stack as it’s not intended to be the sugar house, so this year I’m outside.

I’ve been playing with some plans for a new sugarhouse to be built this summer. Here is a picture of a possible floor plan. I’m planning to have a steam hood in this one. It will also have an open-sided wood storage attached to it. I’ll be selling my GBM 2x6 this year after my season ends in mid March, and buying an upgraded new 2x6 or 2x8 yet to be determined. We're at 250+ taps and growing each year, but hoping to eventually get to 1000 or more if we can purchase some additional property.

Tell me though – what are some can’t-live-without features I should consider? What has worked for you, or what do you wish you had put in your sugar house?

5133

-Laz
GBM 2x6 (for sale in March)
250+ taps
Boiling outside this year

[SadSams]

That looks like a nice layout. I like how the leanto is right where you need it. I have the same thing but poured concrete in the leanto so i can bring the oak slab wood in with a pallet jack. I use half pallets with sides and a back to it. Nicer than bringing in an arm load. And, you gotta have a kookala (as my wife calls it). Theirs some room left for a recliner right? Theres one in mine.
Have fun with it.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Looks like a well thought out design.

You might consider putting the sap storage in a west side lean too (stay cooler) and using that space inside the shanty for an RO room in the future.

[Don(MI)]

A agree, might want sap storage outside as an option.

things I can't live without?

Good lighting
radio
coffee maker
food storage
picnic table for friends and family (seating)

[Dill]

Windows and a big door, also covered wood storage.

[sugaringman85]

a bathroom...unless your sugar house is close to a functioning one...never good to be caught around the corner taking care of natures business by a customer.

[Leadft]

I am in the process of building my first sugar house in a 16'x16' corner of my pole barn...

[Lazarus]

Looks like the magic number will be 16' x 24'.

Is there any particular reason why I would want to orient the evaporator so that it was aligned with the roof ridge instead of each pipe on either side of the centerline?

Also, I'm planning possibly a 2x8 arch with a steam hood - I'm selling my 2x6 this year an upgrading to a much nicer setup for next year. I've not had a steam hood before. Will I need rafters or anything strategically placed for support of anything? Just thinking out loud - some of these things you just can't change once it's built.

-Laz

[Thad Blaisdell]

Looking at your design the one must have for me would be channel drains along both sides of the arch. I have them and am so glad they are there. Also I would design in an RO room. Maybe you dont want it now but 1000 taps you will want it eventually.

[twitch]

The guys that are helping me my shack say that chairs will be very important.:lol:

[twitch]

looks like a lot of stuff inside a 16 x 20 shack


We're planning a new sugar house for 2013, after losing ours to snow load last year. Our 150 year old timber frame storage barn we were using suffered a critical structural collapse during the 2011 season, and we spent all of the remainder of the year building a brand new timber frame (see my avatar). But I don’t want to cut holes in it for stack as it’s not intended to be the sugar house, so this year I’m outside.

I’ve been playing with some plans for a new sugarhouse to be built this summer. Here is a picture of a possible floor plan. I’m planning to have a steam hood in this one. It will also have an open-sided wood storage attached to it. I’ll be selling my GBM 2x6 this year after my season ends in mid March, and buying an upgraded new 2x6 or 2x8 yet to be determined. We're at 250+ taps and growing each year, but hoping to eventually get to 1000 or more if we can purchase some additional property.

Tell me though – what are some can’t-live-without features I should consider? What has worked for you, or what do you wish you had put in your sugar house?

5133

-Laz
GBM 2x6 (for sale in March)
250+ taps
Boiling outside this year

[mapleman3]

You will want a few movable cleanable rubber standing mats near the evap. Your feet will get sore on concrete

Oh and I love my cable TV in the shack....I am close enough to the house....many hours spent there alone...nice for a Sunday NASCAR race or early baseball exhibition games

sent from my Verizon Droid Charge using Tapatalk.

[doocat]

Make it 1 1/2 times the size you plan on... You will wish for the space before the season is over. I have added on three times.

[The Sweet Spot]

I am building a shack as we speak. It is 14x40, with a second floor on 1/2. I am starting to put all my equipment inside and must say that the large bank of windows bringing in the natural light is fantastic. I do wish my shack was a little wider but I was limited to the sawmill I have. I beleive the second floor will be nesiccary for the future. As I finish I will be watching this thread closly.

[Lazarus]

I'll admit, RO is something I would consider in the future.

OK, I have to ask. Why does RO require it's own room? Need for privacy or something?

All kidding aside though, how big of a space would be required for a small hobby RO?

-Laz

[sapman28]

Concrete floor, Running water and good source of electricity, not extention cords from somewhere else.

[Maple/Cherry]

The RO room needs to be heated so the RO does not freeze. Mine is 8x8 with RO, water heater and water softner. Water softner for the RO also.
I started with a 2 x 6 in a 24 x 24 sugar house. Added on to make it 24 x 32. Added on another 24 x 32 with a 3' x 12' evap. Wife wants a separate kitchen next.

[farmerfletch]

Radio playing somthing fast, and coffee, internet a a good dog sitting next to you doesn't hurt anything either,
sap is good too

[pamaple]

Cable tv! lol Its race day and I should be boiling water or working in the camp but I am in the house watching the nascar race.

[GramaCindy]

Cable tv! lol Its race day and I should be boiling water or working in the camp but I am in the house watching the nascar race.

The "So Far" rained out Nascar Race!

[Merklin Maples]

Hot andd cold running water is my goal for the season. Have in the past used a on demand hot water heater hooked to a garden hose. Last year was the first having running hot water. Sure helped with clean up of pans, filters, etc. I used to carry hot water from the house in 5 gal pails. This year I got a double laundry sink. I am hooking it up this weekend.
The other think is walls. Have in the past used blue plastic tarps. This weekend I walled off the finish kitchen area. Hope it will help with filtering. Not having the wind and other weather blowing in.. I am anxious to see how it all works out. Now if the weather will cooperate and let us get to tapping, I'll be happy.

[wagnerppw]

I agree with the hot and cold running water. And to go with it we have a large sink with a powerful restaurant sink spray attachment. Great for clean up. Good lighting is a plus and great neighbors that occasionaly bring over food.

[mapleack]

Don't rely on a few round floor drains, even if you get a perfect grade on the slab. Decide what the biggest arch is you'll ever want, pour a separate footer and slab for it. Then down each side put in grate style drains, slope the floor to them. When you start washing, spilling and washing again you'll really like them. Running water is the biggest amenity though, makes a huge difference. Have a dedicated floor drain where the RO room will be, also stub up a drainleg along the wall near the RO, this will make plumbing your RO in the future much nicer, with no drain hoses out on the floor for tripping hazards. Try to plan for the future with your layout, you'll need to be able to connect your sap feed tank to the RO room, and the RO to the head tank, door ways and distance in the way can make you have to redesign and relocate in the future if they aren't in the right place the first time. I've moved my head tank twice!

[Mark]

In Michigan our bottling and production have to be in separate rooms, what is your state rule?

[backyard sugaring]

Good lighting was added this year. I also agree with a good dog to keep you company. Lee

[hammer460]

A 55 gallon drum with contractor bag for empty beer cans and occasional liquor bottle. Radio for those long nights when buddies head home.

[Bruce L]

Hot and cold running water (which we don't have),but that would mean drilling a well $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$,plus the well going bad probably for the 10 or 11 months it isn't used

[Father & Son]

A larger wood shed. You never have enough dry wood.

Jim

[michiganfarmer2]

Make it 1 1/2 times the size you plan on... You will wish for the space before the season is over. I have added on three times.thats for certain. Mine is 30 x 40, and its only abuot half the size I really need. I have to store tubing and cases of jugs in anther building, and it get crowded pretty quick when everyone is in there working

[Brandy Brook Maple Farm]

Hot andd cold running water is my goal for the season. Have in the past used a on demand hot water heater hooked to a garden hose. Last year was the first having running hot water. Sure helped with clean up of pans, filters, etc. I used to carry hot water from the house in 5 gal pails. This year I got a double laundry sink. I am hooking it up this weekend.

This post could have easily been mine. It sounds so familiar. Hauling 5 gallon pails of hot water from the house to the sugarhouse. We did this for four seasons. UGH! I don't miss that. This year we have a 55 gallon drum "well" and an on-demand propane water heating system hooked up to hot and cold faucets. What a blessing small, simple pleasures like this can be. Next will be a real sink!

[moeh1]

When you pour the floor, run conduit in the cement under the arch so you can get power to it for controls and blowers. I like that floor grate idea.
Marty

[Greenwich Maple Man]

Sap !!!!!!!!!!!! After this year the sap was what was needed the most. I'm ready for New Year snow.