New Finishing set

[SevenCreeksSap]

Just got a brand new shiny set of finishing pan, filter holder, steam tray, and bottling valve from Smoky Lake. Hard to think of a piece of metal as something beautiful but it is. Can't wait to try it all out, and saved back about 18 gallons of super sweet almost syrup to finish. I think I can filter it, keep heat going under the steam tray, and bottle it all in one setup. quite a change from what I'm dong now with the 2 stock pot setup. Got the gas fire going now.

[68bird]

Lets see some pics!!!!!

[SevenCreeksSap]

Love the filtering setup. much better than what I had, flows through a lot faster with the flat filters. still finishing off before I can try bottling. gotta get back into it and finish off this last batch. I guess I didnt think of a thermometer for bottling. just need one that shows when I'm at 185. Mine is from my pans and doesnt even register until 212.

[maple flats]

Yes, you want one to show when you are at bottling temp (I go 185-190) but not over. I filter at 210-215).
Your "new, shiny" set up looks real nice. Congratulations!

[SevenCreeksSap]

did the test run today and finished off 3 1/2 gallons, which is a good bit for us. Love the steam pan setup. Its built so the finish pan sits tight in the steam pan so filled with water it doesnt steam off much and keeps the heat under the whole finishing pan. very nice. Filtered right into the flat filter, it cooled down to about 100 deg, so getting back to 190 only took about an hour over the steam tray. bottled nicely. Its always good to make a process improvement that gets rid of some of the frustrating issues. filtering and bottling was getting to be a problem. we make just enough that it needs to be smooth, but not enough yet to get into the max production equipment like a filter press and canner.

[68bird]

Very nice, This is what I need as well!

[bowhunter]

That Smokey Lake setup looks really cool. Have you used it any more and are you still happy with the performance?

[SevenCreeksSap]

Still happy, we finished all our bottling last season with this and it works great, incredible improvement over the water heater type bottling system we were using. would recommend anything from Smoky Lake. My pans were built by Jim too and everything works great. I need to get with it and build a stand for this finisher and get ready for the season. Lots to do and been busy sawing wood.

[bowhunter]

Thanks for the feedback. That setup looks perfect for small producers like me. I wrestled it through the kitchen last year. This year I'm going to use a turkey frier and try keep it in the sugar house, but I'll probably get one of these finisher/bottlers from Jim next year.

[relseek]

Great looking set. I've been contemplating the same set as well. Can you answer a question for me? When using the pans to finish off syrup do you use the steam pan or is it only used when bottling?

[Retsapper]

Hello, do you filter right off of the evaporator with this unit or do you filter later? Thanks. Retsapper

[johnallin]

If it's one of Jim's units, you could filter right off the evaporator, heat up to bottling temp and bottle all with the same piece of equipment.