Canopies, tents, and tarps.

[aws]

For all you guys who have worked under temporary tarp structures for evaporating, did you have any major condensation and dripping problems? My family usually only boils when its' not raining, but this year I was considering stringing up a tarp roof. Wasn't sure it would be worth it if a lot of steam just condensed and started raining back down on me and into the pan. I have seen a lot of images/videos of people working under tarps and thought you might share your experiences with me.

Thanks for any replies.

[vtwoody]

I built a little shack out of 2X4's, pallets and a few sheets of plywood -big step up from what you are describing but similar in function. What I found was that the slightly sloped roof was not enough to allow the steam to get out easily. Walls were partially enclosed, one wall completely open. Kept rain out/off but steam definitely collected and moisture was on roof. Most of it ran down before dripping off but definitely encountered drippage. This year, I have a hood and stack to vent through roof - next year, shack with steeper pitched roof as well.

My two cents would be to build a hood and vent with stack, or, have a relatively steep pitched tarp roof so any drippage would run down to edges and keep you relatively dry. Getting the arch (or whatever you are using to boil) out of the elements, especially wind, is not only more comfortable for you, it will improve the efficiency of your boil, no matter how you are doing it.

Have fun!

[Tweegs]

First year with the new evaporator I used one of those “garage in a box” things from tractor supply. Three words for you…Tropical rain forest.

Condensation was horrid. Strung up a tarp inside the garage, nice and tight like, in an effort to have the rain roll off to one side or the other, but a puff of breeze just strong enough to rattle the trap caused a downpour. I took to running the evap in rain gear, no kidding. Can I tell you what this did to the ground around the evaporator? Mud pit, deep mud pit. Outdoor carpet and boards were the only things enabling movement.

Had the evaporator up on blocks to keep it out of the mud, but as the ground thawed, the evaporator would sink throwing things off level.

‘Twas a nightmare.

[Ohio Maple Blaster]

Didn't think about building this until the forecast called for snow on one of the days I was going to boil. Not sure why it never occurred to me that it might snow in March... But nonetheless, a quick trip up to Depot and 30 minutes of canoodling yielded this; worked pretty well, steam escaped, or rolled out the bottom with nothing ever condensing and falling back into the pan.
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[TerryEspo]

That looks like a nice fast and easy set up.
I may have to do something like that.
Love the open peak idea. Thanks.

Terry

[lyford]

OMB whats that you used as the roof?

[Ohio Maple Blaster]

Those are some really old sheets of plexi that have become a catch-all for any and all spray painting jobs. I built the roof around those sheets. They're not attached, and just kinda lay against that lower lip so I can break the thing down at the end of the season, wrap it up and store it under the deck. And if anyone could convince the neighbor behind us to remove their dead arborvitae, I'd appreciate it! haha

[Mike R.]

I had used a garage in a box last year. As long as the door was open there was minimum condensation and it only rained if you shook the building.

I sat outside most of the time as it got too warm to stay inside. Now I got a real building to boil and work in. Hopefully the steam vent will control and condensation.

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[aws]

Thanks for all the replies. If we end up with a super rainy season maybe I'll make something like
Ohio Maple Blasters' roof. Better functioning and little nicer looking than a strung up tarp in the front yard.

[MapleLady]

I boiled out in the elements last year -- but the weather was warm and very mild. I've been thinking of setting up some kind of shelter this year, just in case the weather wasn't good - even put in some posts last fall to string tarps on. Never thought about the condensation, though. I really like your design, especially the opening at the peak to let steam out!

[LukeDawg11]

OMB - love your design. I've been trying to figure out how to build a decent temporary shelter. Heading to HD this am to get supplies for building a similar structure this afternoon.

[Ohio Maple Blaster]

Nice! Glad I could do something helpful! Post pictures of your finished product

[vtwoody]

There are, of course, innumerable ways and materials to provide shelter....real key is to create an escape for the steam. This might be through a hood and stack, or, simply an opening (cupola, flap in the tarp, other). No opening=lots of condensation. Some opening=less. Experimenting, tweaking, improving(sometimes)=fun....

Have fun!!!

[psparr]

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Here's my setup. I put a piece of plywood on an angle above the pans and it runs to the edge and drips to the side of the evaporator.

[LukeDawg11]

Finally got around to taking pictures of my shelter. Keep in mind that I have no construction/engineering experience whatsoever. So far it works and keeps the evaporator nice and dry. We'll see how the steam escapes once I get to boiling.

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[aws]

Looks great. I am a professional timber frame builder and I still believe there is a certain honor and elegance in building something functional with what you have on hand. My wife doesn't always agree though :lol:.

[Ohio Maple Blaster]

Looks like a proper sugarhouse to me.. well played!

[LukeDawg11]

Thanks for the positive feedback!