2x3 evaporator wood?

[beaglebriar]

How much wood should I expect to use for a 6-8 hour boil? My set up is homemade but it's basically a half pint knock off. I kind of decided to start this project late January so I'm cutting wood now and with snow up to my butt getting into the woods is not fun. I'd rather not touch my wood supply for the house and just wanted to get a plan together. It's all coming together pretty good.... Last minute is not usually how I roll.Did a test boil yesterday and it rips!10913

[Evets]

How much wood did your test boil take? How long was the test?

[beaglebriar]

I messed with it for about an hour and a half with some pine limbs and junk I had laying around. It was boiling after about 25- 30 minutes. It burned through that stuff pretty quick but I think some good quality hardwood will last longer. I have about ten feet of stack so it was drawing pretty good.Just interested in approximate wood consumption with a similar setup.

[wnybassman]

Did you use dry wood for test boil? Is the wood you're getting now as dry?

[beaglebriar]

Wood was dry. I'm cutting standing dead maple and ash(small stuff). Its pretty dry and I know its not ideal to burn unseasoned but I'm just playing around in the back yard.

[sams64]

I burn pallets and get my home built boiling in way less than 10 minutes and probably less than 5. How deep are you running your pans?

sam

[Pauly V]

I burn pallets and get my home built boiling in way less than 10 minutes and probably less than 5. How deep are you running your pans?

sam

I agree..I have a 55 gal barell/ 2 pans pre heat pot. 12 minutes to boil.i'm bricked and insulated..pallet wood..6 hour boil for me was 5 pallets

[1ruralmailman]

i was going to say,either pallets,or slabwood from a saw mill would be the way to go this year for sure.both are usually easy to get,and boil syrup like nobodys buisness.easier than wading in snow,and keeps he good wood for the house where it belongs.

[Burnt sap]

1/4 face cord would be a safe bet to have on hand.

[beaglebriar]

I have access to some pallets and will mix with wood I already have. I started up pretty slow on my test boil to cure the refractory cement. I'm pretty sure I can be boiling in ten minutes with a good hot fire. Thanks for the replies.