First year. 275 gal tank evaporator

[11-Nick]

Having fun. Boiled for the second time this evening. 26"x54" steel pan on a 275 gallon fuel tank evaporator. I have a "preheater" that doesn't preheat. It doesn't kill the boil either, so I'm not complaining at this point. It's just fun tweeking stuff. Kids love collecting sap and feeding the fire. Great for family time!

[11-Nick]

stop turning your head sideways. you look stupid....
1116411165

[11-Nick]

The first picture was the first boil. The second picture was this evening. Today, I added another length of stack to get more draft, and got a better boil out of it. I also added a useless pre-heater today. I rigged a cheap float that tells me the depth of the sap so I don't have to keep sticking a stick or spoon in the sap to know how close I am to scorching it.
Thanks for all the ideas!
Also, thanks to Patrick and Big Eddy. I think I bugged the two of you the most with questions.
Good times. I understand the magnitude of this hobby. I'm already looking ahead to next year. More taps. How to collect more efficiently. How to boil quicker.
The one thing I did absolutely right that I almost screwed up.... I started small. I wanted so bad to start bigger than I did. I'm so glad I didn't.

[Cedar Eater]

Nice. Have you estimated the gph yet?

[sweetmoomoo]

looks good! have fun with it.

[11-Nick]

I'm boiling again tomorrow. I've been boiling 8-10 gph. Hope to get a more exact rate tomorrow.

[psparr]

How's the snow?

[11-Nick]

Once I got a good boil going, I set the timer and started measuring. I got a tad over 8 gph.

[chad]

Once I got a good boil going, I set the timer and started measuring. I got a tad over 8 gph.

That's a pretty good rate, sure is a fun family hobby
Happy Sappin

[5050racing]

Put a blower on it from the bottom n you won't believe the difference,do u need to add foam control when boiling? If no u will when u put the blower hooked up to the air intake!!,my door almost melts,still need to insulate it the rest is.

[11-Nick]

I don't have a blower on it. I did put a few drops of canola in but I think it was more for my piece of mind.

[5050racing]

With a blower u will have to add it cause it will fly out of the pan that's why I'm telling u from my experience I used mine 2 yrs then added blower u won't believe it believe me!!