Arch Build!

[AndrewsofBow]

This is my first endeavor into building an arch. Pans purchased off of craigslist, the front has dividers and the rear raised flue. Both were home built previously so I really don't know their specs. Built the arch to fit out of 2x2 3/16" angle and sheet steel for the skins. The arch is lined in concrete to save money over bricking and so far, so good after 3 test burns to play with the internal setup. On the 3rd burn I was able to get both pans boiling with little effort. I did make it possible to add a blower in the rear and will consider once the season starts easily.

[optionguru]

Did you line it with concrete board or did you form it and pour regular concrete? Looks good, are you going to batch boil or did you get a continuous pan?

[AndrewsofBow]

I lined it with regular concrete, rotating it so the area I'm lining was flat down. I plan on continuous, the rear pan will hold about 10-15 gals of sap, the front with dividers will hold about 10. I need to make a syphon from the rear to the front.

[Panheadguy]

Will the concrete hold up to the heat when you get it really rolling? How will you make a syphon from the rear to front pan? I'm no expert (really a beginner) but I would think a float box, but I'm here to learn.

[AndrewsofBow]

Yes the concrete will hold up. The first fire I did I got a bit over zealous and started a fire too hot and it did spall a bit in the fire box. The 2nd I started small and held it for awhile to allow the concrete to warm up a bit. The 3rd no issues at all. The syphon will be with copper pipe and ball valve, manual. Once filled it will work fine, used it last year on my block arch.

[Super Sapper]

Looks good but you will have trouble keeping heat in the back corners of your flue pan with you stack base flat like that. The heat will short circuit to the center to go up the stack. Most bases are tapered to avoid this. As far as the concrete, I would think that after it is going for awhile you will have some problems because it is not made to handle the heat. The only way to know for sure is to try, that is how we all learn. Good luck with it.

[AndrewsofBow]

I thought about the stack and the flat end, inside is a length of angle iron which forces the gasses up into the flue pan and to the sides, flattening out the exhaust. We'll see how it works. If it seem like I need a wider and tapered exaust that'll be next seasons build.

[Super Sapper]

That's part of the fun with this hobby, you can keep trying new things to see what works best for you. This site greatly shortens the learning curve with the wealth of knowledge everyone shares.