s.s. pan question

[1hardmaple]

I have a friend with enough 16 gauge stainless left just wondering if its ok to use 16 or not worth the time. Thank you

[Pauly V]

it will take longer to heat the pan but sure it can be used. Many pans are 20-22 gauge to maximize evaporation.

[hilltop tapper]

I used a flatpan made of 16g a couple years. It definitely works, theoreticly the thicker the steel the slower the heat penetration.

[Zucker Lager]

I also had some 16 gauge SS sheeting laying around and just had a local welder make up a small flat pan for me last week. He was into sugarin himself and he thought it would not be a problem using the thicker material but also did say that the heat transfer isn't perfect. But for me it was a no brainier free material or lots of $$$$$$$ for new material. Good luck with your pan Jay

[maple flats]

If you will use the pan for many years I'd go with a lighter ga. You buy the pan once but you add wood every 7,8 or 9 minutes and the faster the boil the shorter the time to finish, each and every time you boil, year after year.