Heating syrup in a canning unit

[DaveB]

I am going to be getting a larger mixer so I can make larger batches of granulated maple sugar and I'm looking at my options for heating the syrup up before I put it in the mixer. Instead of buying a gas finisher, I'm wondering if I can use my Leader 16x24 canning unit to do the job. If I put the unit next to the mixer, will I be able to heat the syrup up to the proper temp and then open the valve to pour it into the mixing bowl? Or would I have to pour from the top of the unit? I'm just trying to avoid having another piece of equipment and I know that some people finish in these units. I just want to make sure it will work.

[Jeff E]

I take it your bottling unit is not water jacket type. If it was you would never get it about 212...
Why wouldn't this work? Can you get it to temp and move it quick enough that it wont loose temp?

[DaveB]

I take it your bottling unit is not water jacket type. If it was you would never get it about 212...
Why wouldn't this work? Can you get it to temp and move it quick enough that it wont loose temp?

It's a propane fired canning unit from Leader:

http://leaderevaporator.com/p-5-gas-fired-filter-and-canning-unit-16-x-24.aspx

I know some people finish their syrup in them so I think I can heat the syrup up to the proper temperature (255-260) but I'm just not sure about pouring it from the 1/2" valve. I think it's liquidy enough but I wanted to check with folks that do this regularly.

[GeneralStark]

It will work but how well will depend upon how much syrup you want to boil at once. You will be limited due to the surface area to volume ratio, especially when the syrup starts to foam at all. The 1/2' valve will certainly be a limiting factor as well. It will work as the syrup will still flow, but it will be slow. How much syrup do you want to boil at once?

A steam kettle is really the ultimate tool for making larger quantities of sugar.

[DaveB]

It will work but how well will depend upon how much syrup you want to boil at once. You will be limited due to the surface area to volume ratio, especially when the syrup starts to foam at all. The 1/2' valve will certainly be a limiting factor as well. It will work as the syrup will still flow, but it will be slow. How much syrup do you want to boil at once?

A steam kettle is really the ultimate tool for making larger quantities of sugar.

I'm getting a 30qt Hobart mixer and was hoping be able to do batches of 3-4 gallons to keep the level down on the mixer. The unit holds 20 gallons so that should be pretty low in the pan.

Do you have an example of a steam kettle that would work? I'm not familiar with them and I see that there are lots of different options.

[GeneralStark]

I'm getting a 30qt Hobart mixer and was hoping be able to do batches of 3-4 gallons to keep the level down on the mixer. The unit holds 20 gallons so that should be pretty low in the pan.

Do you have an example of a steam kettle that would work? I'm not familiar with them and I see that there are lots of different options.

There are lots of different options for steam kettles. Searching used equipment listings are a good way to see what is available They are not cheap but if you want to do lots of sugar it is way better than cooking with propane. I rent a commercial kitchen that has two 40 gal. units and they are handy for cooking syrup.

I would think a 10 gal. unit would work for what you want to do.

[DaveB]

Looking at the prices of steam kettles, I don't think that is going to be an option for me right now but I do like the tilt to pour function. If the 1/2" valve is going to be a limiting factor (I'll need to find out how limiting), I may look into seeing if I could either add a 1" valve or get a second pan that would have that. A pan like that is way less than a steam kettle and I wouldn't have to run a 220v line to my packing room.