Stainless flat pan

[Bush]

Hello, new to the site. Have been reading lots of posts and there is a ton of great information here. I have been making maple syrup for years with family and friends. Going to do it on my own this year, and am looking at building and oil tank arch. I was talking with a local welder and he suggested going with 18 guage staniless for the flat pan to boil in, is this to thick or will it be good? Also does it matter if the stainless is polished or not?

[BoarsNest]

I would make it 20ga as if he can weld it. I made mine out of 201 2B instead of 304 polished. It worked just as well and is a little cheaper. Polished just looks better but costs more and probably performs the same.

[psparr]

He's recommending 18 ga. because its easier to weld. The thinner the better, you won't regret it. Stainless doesn't transfer heat well at all. Try to find someone who is comfortable welding at least 20 ga. I made my pans out of 26 ga. They don't look real pretty but they boil great. Doesn't need to be polished. After the first boil they will be covered with niter deposits anyway.

69966997

[b116757]

18 ga will work fine thinner is better but 18 will work get 304 in a 2b Finnish the polished just looks a little nicer no diffrence in performance though.

[jputney]

I have a pan made out of 13 or 14ga. stainless. It's about .090 thick. I have used it for a couple years and have had no problems. I am sure I would gain some if it was thinner but when I had it made I didn't know any better.

[Bush]

Thank you everyone for the great advice, it's looking like all the shops around here will only weld me 18gauge so guess I am going to have no choice but to go with it.