Can someone suggest insulation - Newbie Alert

[Rachel N Wineman]

Hello to everyone. I am new here and look forward to learning more about this hobby. I was planning on doing a filing cabinet style evaporator, so I went to the MSU Surplus store and came back with a 6 pan buffet table for $35. This thing is HUGE and has the potential to be a decent rig if I don't muck it up.......so.......
I have noticed that insulation is an important factor, but I can't afford to buy a ton of fire brick to line this thing. The table is 7'6" long and a little over 2' wide.12673

--Does anyone have a recipe to DIY fire brick panels....
--Tips or suggestions for other insulation that is affordable (upgradeable later)

Any suggestions would be awesome

This will be my 4th year with maybe 30 taps this year (more if my neighbors in town let me tap their trees). Previously, I rigged up a natural gas line and evaporated on a converted camp stove stand.

[psparr]

You'll need ceramic blanket or arch board to insulate or you will have major warpage of the steel. You only need brick where you will load the wood as to protect the insulation. I purchase my blanket at a place called SPI I believe there are branches in other states. A 2'X25' roll costs around $70 picked up. Shipping is what kills you.

[optionguru]

Another one is ceramicfiberonline. I've ordered from them twice. A 2x25 roll including shipping is just over $100.

[Rachel N Wineman]

Thank you both.

Sugarbush Supply is near me for picking stuff up. It's good to know that the bricks only need to go in the fire box. When I was looking at bricking schematics for some of the pre-made equipment, it appeared as though they were lining the whole thing.

[briemersma]

You could also use cement board to line the firebox and protect the insulation. It comes in 3'x5' sheets and can be purchased at Lowes/Menards/Home Depot for about $10/sheet. Not as tough as firebrick but much cheaper and will provide some protection.

[Rachel N Wineman]

briemersma -

Great question.... I hope some folks have an answer to that.

[MISugarDaddy]

Rachel,

Take a bunch of pictures of what you are working with and show them to Rick at Sugar Bush Supplies and he can give you suggestions to get your set up functional. I know that cement board is cheaper than evaporator insulation, but I don't think it has the same insulating capabilities that the insulation boards that SBS sells. You don't want to ruin what you have for an arch by not insulating it sufficiently.

Gary

[BobMac]

Here's one that is a little closer to home.

http://www.indfirebrick.com/ceramic-fibers.html

[wiam]

Here's one that is a little closer to home.

http://www.indfirebrick.com/ceramic-fibers.html

Very pricey

[pyro]

I use cement blocks as a temp arch. Would ceramic blanket protect the blocks and not have them fall apart so quickly? The cement board is a great idea. I might try that this year.

[Super Sapper]

The blanket would help as it shields the block from the heat which is what is making it fall apart. It should also increase your boil rate.

[USMCLtcol]

Is this the ceramic fiber everyone uses?
http://www.zoro.com/unitherm-ceramic-insulation-24-in-w-25-ft-cf6-1-24x25/i/G8489625/
$76 shipped 2' x 25'

[psparr]

Yes, and a great shipped price too.

[wiam]

Is this the ceramic fiber everyone uses?
http://www.zoro.com/unitherm-ceramic-insulation-24-in-w-25-ft-cf6-1-24x25/i/G8489625/
$76 shipped 2' x 25'

Good find. Cheaper than I found.

[Pauly V]

ok. I just bought some ceramic blanket . After a few hours of reading I went with the 2 inch 8lb blanket for my 2x6. was that a waste of $$ or will i get added heat as I suspect?

[psparr]

You'll be able to sit on the side of the arch in your birthday suit and be fine.

[Rachel N Wineman]

What a great discussion. Thank you to all who relpied.

I would really hate to ruin what could potentially be a decent arch. The steam table is super heavyduty and all stainless....and I doubt i will come across another $35 deal, like I did with this one. It would be a shame to screw it up because I cheaped out. Which brings me to another insulation question......

Most evaporators of this size seem to have a single pan. This one has a stainless top that the pans drop into, which leaves gaps between the pans......Should the gaps be insulated, so the fire doesn't come into direct contact with the top pan support structure?

[psparr]

You could screw insulation to those supports with self tapping screws and fender washers

[Pauly V]

You'll be able to sit on the side of the arch in your birthday suit and be fine.

sorry for hi jacking thread. But thanks for the response!

[Rachel N Wineman]

Is there a particular caulk that works well for sealing things ? I saw one by DAP (i think ) that was rated high temp......

[wiam]

Is there a particular caulk that works well for sealing things ? I saw one by DAP (i think ) that was rated high temp......

I tried several of the high temp caulks on my 2x6 when I only had bricks in it. Best thing I did was go to ceramic blanket and make sure the blanket was tight all around.

[leaky bucket]

I used a 2x6 lightning for years and used wood stove door gasket on edge between arch and pans in-between the pans I just chinked it with roxall insulation the green fireproof stuff , only takes a a little.
In the back part of the arch I used a 3.5" bat of insulation and sand on that to force heat into the flues. Sold that made in 92 arch and pans this year for 2 k.
Don't use a caulking. It's messy

Mike