Question about stainless

[brikel]

I have the opportunity to get a sheet of 20 gauge stainless steel 4'x5' to have a pan made. The sheet has been outside covering a wood pile. I have been told it needs a little cleaning but it is in decent shape. Does anyone think it being outside for three years would effect the use of a flat pan? I plan n building a 2x4 pan if this would work. just curious to see what others think.

[Evets]

I'm no expert, but I can't see there being a problem.

[bowhunter]

It's no problem.

[maple flats]

The SS should be good, but to make a 2x4 out of a 4x5 you'll want a little extra, or you will need to weld (or solder) some extra from the width to add on the length, OR the sides will be too short. Do you have (or can you get) a little more to add height on at least 1 end? Since you con't leave a raw edge, you will end up with 6" high ends even if you weld some scrap from the width to make the top reinforcement/stiffener.

[brikel]

How hi would you recommend on the sides?

[Sugarmaker]

8 inches minimum.
Regards,
Chris

[pyro]

8" seems a bit high to me but I'm a beginner. Ive been happy with 6". Do you recommend 8" because you fill it pretty high? Or do you really have that viscous of a boil you need to contain it?

[SeanD]

For a flat pan, 6" is plenty. I was tight with material on mine, so by the time I bent over the top edge, I think I'm down to 5 1/2" or 5 3/4". I can't remember. Either way, you'll be fine. I've never had it boil over. Flue pans are a whole other ball game.

Sean

[maple flats]

Mine is 14" high and I get geysers that sometimes jump the 10" partitions.

[SeanD]

On a flat pan? I guess I should have noted that I do not have and AUF or AOF and I'm on a 2x6 and I run at about 1.25 inches.

Sean

[adk1]

U will b fine. I have a 2x6 with air and a flue pan, my syrup pan depth is about 6"

[TerryEspo]

I sold my arch last year due to the flat pan I had. I built the arch around the pan I had.
I was o.k. with a 4.75 inch side, BUT not with the blower on. I sold that arch, nice arch for an easy does it, relaxing time boil. I like the blower going sometimes so upgraded to my new 2 x 4 flat pan with 7" sides. Hope it works fine with the blower on.

Good luck,

[maplerookie]

Mine is 14" high and I get geysers that sometimes jump the 10" partitions. Dave, I think you are a maple maniac. lol. That being said it appears you always reply with valid and educational advice. Hope your season is goin well. here in western n.y. it has been nothing but stops and starts due to the ever changing weather. now it looks like the trees are ready to bud. 2 days this weekend of 50 + degrees and I am afraid our season may be done. time will tell.

[brikel]

Thanks for the information guys. really appreciate it.

[maple flats]

I'm just addicted. I'm going to go do some work soon, but my original plan failed for today. I had about 250 gal in one tank, and I pumped maybe a hundred gal of that into my head tank mid morning. I was trying to boil so I could start with fresh sap tomorrow when things warm and start running. I had some ice in the head tank and it will not rise to the top and let the unfrozen sap flow to the evaporator. After thawing the tank valve for about 45 minutes while doing other things, the valve turned but no sap flowed to the pans. Now I'll need to boil that older sap when things thaw before I can start some new. More time wasted, I'm an expert at that!