steam hood and stack position??

[cjmiller272]

8808
just had this steam hood made. And got hung but was curious if theres an optimum stack position? Front or rear. I have not cut hole in roof yet. Also debating if it was to high to catch most the steam. My only venting is gable window with a box fan.

[Michael Greer]

I'd go straight up with the stack. As soon as it gets warm it will create it's own draft, and more so if it's straight. Your hood looks a little high to me, but I think I'd wait to see how it works. It would be an easy enough project to lower it if you have to.

[cjmiller272]

Thanks. My stack will go straight up. I can spin the hood 180 and put stack in the rear if would work better.

[Ed R]

I think you might need to lower your hood. If that is some type of a flue pan in the rear I would have my stack over that.

[cjmiller272]

Just a lifted flat rear pan. This is my first year boiling inside and realized i needed a hood after test boil. How high above rear pan should hood be. I dont have float valves so i need to be able to watch my levels

[maple flats]

Most hoods rest directly on the rear pan, but usually set 12-16" above the front pan. Your might need to get lower to catch even a majority of the steam.

[bstewar]

I'm running a 2x6 flat pan setup and my hood sits about 18" above the rear pan. I don't have floats so I too need to watch my level. The rear pan will produces more steam so I would make sure the stack is over that pan vs the syrup pan.