Frozen feed line

[hicks road]

ANYBODY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR FEED LINE FROM BULK TANK TO EVAPORATOR FREEZING? wONDERING IF ANY ONE HAS USED A TANK HEATER AND HOW WELL THEY WORK?

[Michael Greer]

It happens. We had to fiddle around for half an hour to get the line from the pump to the storage tank thawed. After the season is over, take time to re-design your lines so that they are empty whenever you leave it overnight. Empty lines don't freeze.

[325abn]

Why are you "yelling" ? :) I try to drain the feed line if I know its going to freeze hard.

[gmcooper]

I wrapped a heat tape around my feed pipe and then covered with foam pipe insulation. Only had to plug it in once each of the last 2 years. Best option is to drain it when possible.

[wiam]

My valve is right next to the tank. Very little line to freeze. It is rare that there is any sap left in the tank when it is freezing.

[maple flats]

I always drain the line, then even if it freezes when you didn't expect it to you are safe. Don't use a tank heater. If anything, put a heat tape on and then insulate it, or do as I have, my line is all copper and a torch is always in the sugarhouse.
A few years ago, I did have a line freeze while operating and had to thaw it. Now I don't have any outside feed line, I now have my head tank tight against the sugarhouse wall, cut an opening in the siding. My valves and the entire line is now inside and it sure won't freeze while boiling.