Increase boil rate on 18x48"

[MarkReynolds]

So it's my first year on my 18x48" dominion & grimm evaporator and was boiling yesterday and timed it and I'm getting about 5gph on it. I was wondering is their anything I can do to increase the boil rate. It's fire bricked, and have been looking into a small blower for it. I've seen some guys with this size pan getting upwards of 10gph! I want to get the most out of my little evaporator!

[wnybassman]

So it's my first year on my 18x48" dominion & grimm evaporator and was boiling yesterday and timed it and I'm getting about 5gph on it. I was wondering is their anything I can do to increase the boil rate. It's fire bricked, and have been looking into a small blower for it. I've seen some guys with this size pan getting upwards of 10gph! I want to get the most out of my little evaporator!

Flue pan or flat pan?

[MarkReynolds]

Oh sorry flat pan

[slammer3364]

Are you pre-heating? I just use a small fan in front of damper door. This is the same rig I have,if you pm me I can send you some pics.

[Russell Lampron]

Is it set up indoors or outdoors? If outdoors try putting a tarp around it to block the wind. A blower will help as well as pre heating the sap. You could set a pan on the back of your pan like they do on the 1/2 pint evaporators.

[Russell Lampron]

Are you set up indoors or outdoors? If outdoors you could use tarps to set up a wind break. A blower will help and pre heating your sap will too. You can set a pan on the back of your pan like they do on the 1/2 pint evaporators for a pre heater.

[cvmaple]

I have the same evaporator and use a pre-heater next to the chimney. I also run the level deeper (about 3") . Fire often about every 5 minutes. If you have access to a dead elm tree, the brush from it mixed in with your regular wood should increase your boil also. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[jrgagne99]

If you use a warming pan over the main pan to pre-heat your sap, make sure you tip it back a bit so the condensate doesn't drip back into your main pan. If not, the net gain in efficiency is ZERO.

[Biz]

I have a 18x48" CDL with flues and I get 10-12 gph. I try for about 1-1/2" depth. You should do a little better than 5gph since that's what I got with my half pint (24x30" flat) with a poorly designed homemade barrel arch. You should get the entire pan bubbling with a good hot fire. I had flames sometimes shooting out the stack, about 18' including 3 elbows, using all softwood. Probably not too efficient but shows how hot the fire can be when it's cranking. Check into the bricking - it should be set up so the flames are directed at the bottom on the pans, not out the stack, and reduce space underneath pan opposite firebox.

Dave

[MarkReynolds]

I'm in doors, lookin into a better pre-heater I have just been using copper pipe around the chimey but I didn't have much copper so I don't think it's working that great. I'll look for some elm I don't have any in my bush but I'm sure it's around somewhere.

[MarkReynolds]

I've also been burning only hardwood only because that's all the free wood I could get. Been looking for more soft.

[On the ledge]

I put arch board in my 1/2 pint this year , made a big difference. I run it 1 inch deep and am getting close to 8 gallons per hour once it's up and running.

[Daveg]

I read that somewhere that your chimney height should be double the length of your arch/pans. Is yours 8' or higher?

[MarkReynolds]

Yup my chimey height is 9'.

[slammer3364]

I always burn hardwood beech oak cherry and maple

[MarkReynolds]

Well good news got a better pre-heater pan from a steam pan and put a tap on it, and have two little 4" fans blowing in the damper door. Works really well! 7-8gph. I'll do some changes to it next season. Works to busy to modify it anymore. Thx for all the advice and suggestions!!

[MarkReynolds]

Buddy gave me a old blower from his woodstove wow works like a champ!