New new new

[firewoodfred]

Well as the title states "NEW" I've had a bit of experience @ Hudson Mills Metro park. In Dexter Mi. I was lucky enough to have been able to work with (Harry) who does all collection down to bottling of finished product. Hudson Mills has a wonderful maple program. School, church and many others have viewed the process that is shown during the maple program. For a small charge a pancake meal also served. The Hudson Milles Maple program is a wonderful event for the family or a group in the late winter or very early spring. I made about on gal. of syrup two winters ago tapped from my own trees in my yard. I boiled it down on a propane single burner. boiled it in a 64 qt. S.S. stock pot and finished it off on a gas stove in the house. I now have a wood stove that is brick lined. it is made of plate steel. The top dimension is 18.5 X 22 inches. I have two 12 X 18 X6 in. boil trays to boil sap. Will I have to cut out the top of the stove to fit the pans or can I place the pans right on top of wood stove surface. :?:

[SeanD]

Cut off the top. The flames have to blast against the bottom of the pans to keep up your boil rate.

[NhShaun]

Once you cut it, line it with something like this(Not sure on what thickness you will need) http://www.shopmaplehollowsyrup.com/ecommerce/evaporators/evaporator-accessories/pan-gasket-2-x25-x1-4.asp

[handtapper]

Welcome to the trader, I would cut the stove so the pans sit on top of the stove and the flames hit the bottom. Don't sink or coffin drop the pans into the stove or the sides will scorch.

[maple flats]

Cut a top hole for each pan slightly smaller that the pan, then put the gasket on the top and place the pans to center over the hole. If you are carefull you only need the overlap at 1/4-3/8" all around. (my 2x6 finisher only has 1/4" overlap on the sides).