High concentrate in small evaporator

[spud]

Is it possible to run 20% concentrate in a 2x8 rig without burning it up? What are some of the problems you can run into? I would think you would be drawing off full bore 100% of your time. How many GPH could you make. Thanks

Spud

[maplwrks]

I run 20%+ in my 2.5 x 8. High concentrate runs easier than raw sap as you get a consistent draw all of the time.

[spud]

I run 20%+ in my 2.5 x 8. High concentrate runs easier than raw sap as you get a consistent draw all of the time.

How much are you drawing off per hour? Thanks

Spud

[500592]

I think that Russ on here had a problem with his 2x6 making dark syrup but a bubbler solved his problem.

[maplwrks]

Spud---15 gph +/- about 1/3 gallon of oil per gallon of syrup

[500592]

Spud are you thinking of getting an evaporator and boiling yourself? If so can't wait to see what your sugarhouse house will look like if it as cool as your tubing system sounds good luck.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I run 20%+ in my 2.5 x 8. High concentrate runs easier than raw sap as you get a consistent draw all of the time.
isnt there a fellow up by you that runs 1500/2000+ on a 2x6 running high concentration

[PerryFamily]

I ran 1100 on a 2x6 wood fired forced draft with 10-12% sap with no problems.
I had to switch sides every boil, then drain the front pan , soak in acid and scrub due to sand build up. I am not sure I would want to do a high percentage with a small rig.
I am hoping to be at 1800-2000the for 2014, fingers crossed.

[spud]

Spud are you thinking of getting an evaporator and boiling yourself? If so can't wait to see what your sugarhouse house will look like if it as cool as your tubing system sounds good luck.

As of right now I have no plans to boil in the near future. I am very happy with the way things are going for me now. I have almost 3000 more taps to add to my operation and that has to come first. We are also putting in a 600-800 tree apple orchard and that's costing a bunch. I am already looking to buy another piece of land with 4-5000 taps on it that is not far from my house. If this happens then I will need to spend a bunch more money setting that woods up also. The guy I sell sap to is a very nice person and I conceder myself lucky to be doing business with him. Maybe someday when one of my 7 kids want to help out we could boil our own sap. For now I'm just enjoying life and living the dream.

Spud

[500592]

Wow you are pretty busy aren't you.

[AdirondackSap]

You must be rich spud lol

[spud]

You must be rich spud lol

There's no such thing as having 7 kids and being rich. The two just don't go hand and hand:lol:. My main goal is to buy more land for my kids future. The ones that want to stay in Vermont will have a place to build their homes. Only time will tell. The reason for 7 kids is I lived in Alaska for 22 years and it was very very very cold:lol:.

Spud

[yards1520]

I boiled 20% on my 2X8 last year. It was a lot of fun, but could only boil for about two hours until the front pans had too much niter on them and needed to be changed out. Used very litte wood though :) Made 360 gal of syrup on the little 2x8 this year.

[DrTimPerkins]

There's no such thing as having 7 kids and being rich.

All depends upon how you define "rich" I suppose. "Rich" needn't always mean material wealth.

[Maplewalnut]

I boil 15-18% routinely on a 2x6. Took a little patience and I do NOT use a automatic drawoff. I can get a continuous draw started and constant within 30 minutes once pans are sweetened. Maybe a little light at times some a little heavy but after a 15gallon barrel is full I have never been more than 2 points high and never low.
Works for me. Pans get emptied and permeate soaked every third boil early in season, every other boil later in year. No acid needed.

[TheMapleMoose]

We have a 2x6 oil fired but never boiled as high of concentrate that you guys are talking about. Usually 8% and occasionally 10%. We had to adjust to the higher amount of syrup we were making per hour and our syrup pan cleaning was more religious. If I switched sides every two hours I could usually get the pan clean with a hot permeate soak. Towards the end of the season it took a few pinches of pan cleaner. Other than that it purred like a kitten.

[maplwrks]

There's a kid here in town that made 800 gallons last year on a 2x6. Concentrated to 20%. 3 years ago he burned 17 cord of wood through it boiling raw sap. He WAAAAAAAANNNNNNNTTTTTTEEEEEDDDDD IT!!!

[spud]

All depends upon how you define "rich" I suppose. "Rich" needn't always mean material wealth.

Doc your 100% right on. There's much to be thankful for and I am reminded everyday of it. I guess it's safe to say I am rich in many way's. Thanks everyone for answering my question on boiling high concentrate with a small rig.

Spud

[red maples]

I am up grading to an RO for next season. It just seems like a waste of time and energy to burn SOOOOOOO much wood for SOOOOO long on raw sap anymore. So I will be in for a huge learning curve next season very excited.

[500592]

Red maples have you ordered one yet? If not I think Amber Gold had a 250gph for sale in the classifieds. I too am probably getting one next year looking at the h2o 300 model.

[PerryFamily]

Once you see the permeate line running full bore, the light will go on. You will say holy S%&t, that would have all been steam!!! And wood!!!!

It was slightly intimidating at first, but after a few runs, no sweat piece of cake.
definitely makes boiling way more fun, plus it will free you up to go check out everybody else boiling, you just gained some free time!!

[red maples]

I am still shopping around. I know about Amber gold's RO. I am looking into H2O's 200 or 300 maybe 300 since I plan to add on significantly in the next few years we'll see. Need to take a ride out to the maple guys place and see what he has.

[500592]

You could get the 200 one that is expandable the only thing I didn't like about those is that I think lappierre has better recirculation with the pump right in the housing.

[red maples]

yes I did hear that about them they didn't have the high powered pump for the recirc.

[500592]

They still have a recirc but it is kind of like that on leaders mini elite ones but the h2o ones are much cheaper.

[Lakeshore Maples]

I have a 2 1/2 X 8 Waterloo Small with cross flow pans(pre heater) (Wood Fired) 800 gal per hour Lapierre one post RO. Recirculated too 19 percent for the first time last spring. Really nervous at first but everything went well and averaged 14 gals per hour at 19 %.3300 taps on Vacuum last year adding around a thousand more this year. Over 58000 gals of sap. I was tired at the end; believe me! had 13 tiers of wood in shed that equated to 20 cord used 6 tiers. Made little over 1300 gals of syrup.I Boil sap 2-2 1/2 inches thick, never did that before RO's. Doubling the size of storage tank to let RO do the work. We have to haul all of our sap. Got the Fever like everyone else in the industry.

[PerryFamily]

Lakeshore- 1300 gallons on a 2 1/2 x 8 is awesome!! In the next couple years I will ( fingers crossed ) be around the same tap count as you are, except I have a 2x6 now with a 600 gph ro. I was thinking after 2014 (1500-2000 taps, 1000 on vac ) I would jump to a 3x8 or 3x10. I also truck 100% of my sap. Any pictures of your Ro tank set up would be great.

[Lakeshore Maples]

Perry Family, Will try to get some pics up