Pan size

[Bush]

After seeing all of the great oil tank arches on here, I think i am going to build one of my own. Thinking of putting a pan 24" by 48" on it. Will this size pan be able to handle 100 taps? Or how many taps will it handle?
Thanks

[Ausable]

If the tank is used in an upright position - you will have 2 ft x 5 ft of boiling surface if you cut the tank where it starts to curve back in. Use the entire surface for boiling and mount your stack to the back of the tank. Use all the boiling surface you can get. Also - Continuous flow pans are more efficient then one large batch pan. Actually - I have a 2' x 5' steel pan divided into a flat bottomed continuous flow evaporator. Naturally - having flues in the sap pan area would make it even more efficient. -----Mike-----

[Burnt sap]

If all the stars align just right you can run up to 150-200 taps max any more than than you will be swimming in sap on a good run.

[Schiefe4]

I just upgraded from a 24" x 48" divided flat pan. It was on a well insulated arch without blower and got an evaporation rate of 10 gph. I wouldn't do more than 100 taps. Maybe start with 50 taps and work your way up to 100 taps.

[Ren]

I think the question you have to ask yourself is can you handle 100 taps? What I mean by this is do you want to be boiling for 12 to 16 hrs at a time. 100 taps can produce a lot of sap on a good run and boiling at approx. 10 gph (2x4 flat pan) you will have long days stuffing wood in the arch. I am speaking from experience. I would also say start at 50 and the work your way up from there. I am now running a 2x4 drop flue pan and if I had to start over again I would have started with something in the 2x6 size. It is an addiction and 100 taps will be 200 in no time! Lol

[Bush]

That you very much everyone, guess I have some decisions to make now.