Used Evaporator

[Flatfoot95]

I have a friend that has been cleaning out a barn and came across a evaporator. He says that the pans are stainless steel. He estimates it to be about 4 or 5 foot wide and about 10 foot long. He is offering it to me for absolutely nothing!!! If it is in working condition I am gladly going to take it. I am looking for input from you all on things I should be checking when I look at it, hopefully this weekend.

[Fred Henderson]

See who built it and then you should know right then if the company is still in business and whether or not you can get parts. It might be English tin, if that stuff is in real good shape it will look like ss. Other thing to look for is all the connectors for the pans and what size is it really and where is the arch.

[Jim Brown]

Flat foot; It should would be worth hauling home for scrap if nothing else; Get it out in the sun light and check for cracks.leaks.warping as Fred says check were connections and type of connectionsare located on pans. Float.boxes etc; All the little STUFF! that cost a fortune when you go to hook it up and make it work
Good Luck sounds like a GREAT find!

[brookledge]

I'd agree atleast take the pans you can always sell for scrap. Lead free solder started being used around early 90s it varied alittle from one manufactuer to another. Another thing is that those pans will be too big for you even at 600 taps so if they are in good shape I'd trade them for something more in line for 600 taps as you say you plan to have.
I have 700 taps and have a 3X12 So most days I boil only 5 hrs.
Keith

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Bascoms would at least give you some credit towards other stuff even if the pans were half decent! :)

[Flatfoot95]

Thanks for input everyone. I have access to over 4000+ taps was just going to expand slowly so I can gauge what I can handle with my full time job until I retire. I will know more hopefully after this weekend. Will keep you posted. Both pans and the arch are apparently there and I have been told are in good shape. My only concern is going to be the solder.

[Fred Henderson]

With that many taps you could retire early.

[Jim Brown]

Flatfoot95 with that many taps YOU WILL! HAVE TO RETIRE