Sand

[toquin]

How much heat (%) do you think I am wasting with sand under my syrup pan vs. blanket?

[Sugarmaker]

toquin,
If your making syrup already I am proud of you:)
Second do you mean under the flue pan?
Carefully place the back of you hand "near" the underside of the arch in the area of question while boiling. Any heat loss? My guess would be very little difference in the materials. Any idea the depth of the sand?
Regards,
Chris

[adk1]

When I got my 2x6 off the BIL his grandfather added sand to the bottom, maybe an inch or so then bricked it. You couldnt hold your hand on any part of the evap let me tell you. after I got it, I added ceramic blanket to everything then bricked it. I can hold my hand on all sides of the arch and bottom. but not the front!