stay with 3x8 or move to 4x10

[maplemaggs]

just looking for some in put, I currently have a leader 3x8 raised flue,
very nice rig and very happy with the way it boils. (90-100 gph) But thinking about getting bigger, running 625 taps and going to vacum in 07 on about 250-300 of existing taps. I'm not intrested in a RO, nor do I have the room in suger house. looking to increase boiling time, with 3 young kids can't start boiling until 9:00 at night after everyone is settled in for the night. So thought was move to a 4x10 raised flue w/forced draft.
thats about as big as i can fit in suger house. So if anyone as any comments would be happy to hear them.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

You ought to be able to pick up another 60+ gph and if that works best for you, go for it! Sure wouldn't have any problem selling the 3x8, especially on here on the Maple News! :D

[markcasper]

100 gph on a 3x8???????????? I had a 3x10 one time, small brothers with 7 foot flue and barely got 70 gph.

150 gph on a 4x10. You had better have a shed full of bone dry smaller wood, a preheater, and a stainless stack. On a good day with my preheater, forced air 4x12 I will average 150, only will do 165 if the chimmney is in a blaze of glory. Mark

[Fred Henderson]

Shawn, I would be real interested in buying your 3x8 if you have it for sale soon. I want to get one and installed it before cold weather get here. I also want to make some changes in the SH.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Mark,

Mapleking gets 110 gph with his 3x8 and Brookledge gets 140 with his 3x12. I would assume he has an airtight if he is getting that gph. I can get 50 to 55 out of my 2x8 which includes startup and shutdown. :)

[markcasper]

There was no refernece to him having an airtight arch. I have a cousin who has a 2 1/2 x8 w 5 foot raised flue and gets 45 gph using LP.

[maplemaggs]

I have a forced draft, insulated arch, 18' of 14" stack, and 2' of preheater across the rear of the flue pan. I have timed my boiling rate several times and come up with 90-100 gph, with good dry would.

[Mike]

If your not getting a RO theres always a preheater hood,steam away or a piggy back.........These will increase your thru put... 8)

[powerdub]

I don't think 100 GPH is that far off. We can do 100 GPH through our 2.5X8 on good day and we average 80 GPH most of the season. I know others on this site that do just as well.

[hintonsugarshack]

I have a 4x10 and get 130-150 gph with forced draft including start up and shut down my wood is mixed green wood some only cut a month ahead :lol:

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Hinton,

I believe if you got good wood that was dried for several months and seasoned for a couple of years you could probably do 160 to 180. :?

[maplehound]

I easily get 100 gph on my 3x8 with a forced draft but no preheater.
Ron