Evaporator Suggestions

[sr73087]

I have been contemplating how I am going to boil this year. I will have 10-15 taps this year (as opposed to 2 taps last year). Last year was my first year doing this and was a learning experience. I probably tapped alittle late last year and got 6-8 gallons of sap and made just enough syrup for myself for the year. I boiled all of this on the kitchen stove (that was not a great idea) and I will not be doing that this year. So I have been trying to figure out how I want to go about boiling this year, with hopefully 5-10 times the amount of sap. I did not want to spend several hundred dollars on an evaporator pan and then still have to rig up a stand to sit it on and buy the materials for that. I also contemplated using a turkey fryer and boiling that way, but that will take forever if using a large stainless pot. Last night when trying to go through my options I came across this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-x30-Flat-Maple-Syrup-Pan-and-propane-burner-Evaporator/151204444357?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3 D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D3978838272419798213%26pid%3 D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D151 204444357%26

I may be my best alternative and if I can get it in natural gas this is an all in 1 solution for not that much more than a pan would cost. Let me know your thoughts/suggestions. Obviously most of you have been doing this much longer than me and I appreciate any ideas or pointers.

[rayi]

Propane is really expensive. If you have access to wood I would look at some of the posts about home made with a barrel

[shane hickey]

If you natural gas I would go that route cheapest fuel around 1 unit= 1 million BTUs which runs $6.45
Propane runs 1 million BTUs for $22.68 kind of a no brainer plus you Dont have any labor in wood
Also when you want to be done turn the gas off and go to bed.

[Dave Y]

Get your self some resteraunt warming pans and build a cement block arch and fire it with wood.

[sr73087]

The restaurant trays might be a great alternative. Now I guess my next questions is when building the base for the evaporator, will standard cinder blocks work well with the heat or do most people use something different?

[Ski Bum]

I have traveled the same path you are about too. Used fryer first year, Much$$$ in propane. If you are going to stay small, 50 taps or so, Leaders 1/2 pint is a good choice. Used mine for 2 yrs. Got up to 145 taps and had to up grade. I was boiling way too many hours. Just saw a used one in Bascom's catalogue for sale. Price close to the one you are looking at. Burns wood, cheaper than propane. Best of luck to you.

[adk1]

yeah, that one in Bascoms is listed at $700+/- I think. Said perfect shape. Having said that, you can find half pints around in the want ads and classifieds all the time. Reason being is that once someone gets into sugaring they seem to either make something homemade or they buy a half pint..then they quickly become addicted like the rest of us and move to something bigger...

[morningstarfarm]

Regulat cinder blocks work fine...they tend to crack under the heat though...you can either line with fire brick or just keep an eye on it and replace blocks as needed...enjoy

[Ausable]

With 15 Taps a turkey fryer burner and a stainless pot or deep restaurant pan would be the way to go. If in years to come - You expand - and you will. A wood burning arch would make sense. You could still use Your turkey fryer burner and pan to finish syrup on and You haven't invested a small fortune into something You can no longer use. Always remember - If You are strictly a hobby producer - making syrup for yourself, family and a few friends - The goal is to make good quality maple syrup as cheap as possible. Buy a Syrup Hydrometer right off the bat - this is your most important tool for making quality maple syrup. Hey! Best of Luck - whatever You decide - Make good maple syrup and have fun. ------Mike-----

[adk1]

Well said ausable

[CincySyrupPusher]

really depends on the access to wood...

this place has great prices on pans!
http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/steam-table-inserts-full/c24128_6034-155.aspx

my first year I used a large stainless pot over small brick "arch" that just held that pot. built fire right under it. tapped about 10 trees and it worked "ok" for small scale.

you could do the same type but use a steam table pan for about $100 total. but again, if you have wood. if you don't... buy some wood. :) doubt you would need more than 1/2 a cord $80ish in SW ohio.