Looking for ideas for a 2x4 or 2x6 homemade evaporator

[Ohissa ridge maple]

I am looking to upgrade my maple syrup evaporator I have a 2x2 propane evaporator that I made and produced just over two gallons on 25 taps last year. N.Y. had a horrible year. I am looking to get 50-75 taps out the 2015 season and would like to make or buy a 2x6 or 2x4 arch evaporator and have a quicker way to make syrup.

[psparr]

An easy way to upgrade cheaply is an oil tank evaporator. Welcome to the trader. There's a lot of great info on here. Just keep reading, you'll find your inspiration.

[Ohissa ridge maple]

Great thank you very much! What are some recommendations for a pan?

[maple flats]

I always liked checking Bascom Maple. They usually have a good selection of used pans. Then just make an arch to fit, or you can just put together a cement block arch for a year and then build the arch later. Here's some ideas https://www.bascommaple.com/category/used_evaporator_pans/

[Ohissa ridge maple]

Great Bascoms have a beautiful website! Would you recommend getting a flue pan, a flat etc.?

[psparr]

It's hard to say. It depends on how much you want to boil each day. I'm sure some will argue with me, but for that many taps. I believe it will be hard to keep the evaporator running. On a good day with 75 taps you'll get 75 gal. of sap. That's a good day. Some days you'll get nutin. You know your trees better than anyone here. A 4' flue pan on a 2x6 will be boiling in the 20 something GPH range. Yes that's 3-1/2 hrs. of boiling, but on the days where the runs aren't that good, it won't be worth firing it up. Just my 2 cents.
Whatever you decide just enjoy it, that's what it's about!

[Ohissa ridge maple]

What kind of flue pan drop or flat?

[psparr]

What kind of flue pan drop or flat? Do you mean drop or raised?

[Ohissa ridge maple]

Yes sorry having a brain fart

[psparr]

It depends what you can find. A raised flue needs two float boxes. One to feed the flue pan, and one from the flue pan to the syrup pan. Whereas a drop flue only needs one, but you cant drain it easily. Me, I would take whatever I could find cheaper. Here's a video of my oil tank arch. They are easy to build. It is a 2x6 with flat pans.
http://youtu.be/whRR8BlfocY?list=UUKxgCYB7fY07atFbhTA5LAQ

[COMSTOCK MAPLES]

my property only has opportunity for 200-250 taps so I went with a 2x6 flat pan set up. If I stumble on more property or trees to taps then maybe a flue pan at that time. You need the sap to feed the evap and make worth starting up that's my 2 cents.

[Ohissa ridge maple]

I do not have good enough internet to watch YouTube, but I saw pics on a different talk you did NICE!! How many gallons of sap per hour can it boil?

[psparr]

With a blower hooked up I can get around 16. Working on a preheater and hood this year. So we'll see.

[Ohissa ridge maple]

What's your opinion of Smokey lake maple

[psparr]

There are a lot of high praises for him on here. That's all I know.

[kiteflyingeek]

What's your opinion of Smokey lake maple

I have a set of 2x6 pans from Smoky Lake and they are GREAT! I have only had them for one year but they worked REALLY well. I got a 2x4 drop flue with a 2x2.5 reverse flow syrup pan. The reverse flow was some extra money but it is sooooo worth it! The metal is all shiny (well, it was when I started) and the pans make some VERY clear and light syrup -- especially compared to steam pans.

Jim at Smoky Lake Maple is a pleasure to talk to when you can actually get him on the phone. This time of year, I doubt you'll get him or be able to custom order anything in time for the season. I might be wrong but he gets very busy this time of year.

That's my opinion of Smoky Lake pans and service -- I think very highly of Jim & his pans.

--andrew

[Ohissa ridge maple]

Thank you!!!

[Ghs57]

So what did you go with?