Block Arch Help

[Troutman10]

I'm looking to build a block arch before it's time to tap. I'm not going big by any means. It would be better for me to use wood instead of gas/turkey fryer combo. The block dimensions will obviously be determined by my pan size once I get it. I'm looking to pick up a decent sized banquet or steam pan. How do I connect the chimney in the back? Any help or pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Ecnerwal]

Valleyman's picture (go to the gallery and type "block" in the search box)

http://mapletrader.com/maplegallery/data/500/medium/6_Evap_TopView1.jpg

Basically make a spot you can cram a pipe into. Valleyman looks to have done an above-average job on that one.

[Dan]

You could make a chimney out of the same block as your arch. Here's my version, I have since added to the chimney 7 blocks high and will copy others on here and add some hvac pipe stuffed into the top of the blocks.
515951605161

[Peepers]

yes wood is cheaper if you have a good supply. I've been using a kitchen sink with the bottom's welded shut and made a top for my block arch out of an old steel door skin and some angle iron. I attached a 4' piece of 6" HVAC pipe with some short pieces of angle iron and plenty of bolts. When we cram the arch full of wood we have fire shooting 3' out the top and it boils like crazy. Even 4' of stack produces a good draft to get the fire going good. I might move up to a 2x2 divided pan made this year and plumb it to one of my sink pans to skip the scooping from pan to pan but it looks like I'll stack up a block arch again.

I might use some scrap door steel and insulation inside the arch this year to save some of the blocks. The hours of heat kill many of my blocks every year.

[Peepers]

I dug up a few pics from when I threw it all together in 2010

Day:
5164

Night:
5163

[3 Boys Syrup]

Just drive 3 hours west and come buy my homemade boiler from last year.

300$

http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r527/captain300ex1/photo.jpg
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r527/captain300ex1/photo-1.jpg

[3 Boys Syrup]

I have a homemade maple syrup evaporator made out of a 300 gallon steel tank, with a heavy gauge 50 gallon stainless steel pan set inside.
This setup is great for starters. We made over 12 gallons last year!!
The stainless steel pan is worth $300 alone.
The tank has a nice door for loading wood and has a draft door underneath. 8" smoke stack coming out the back.