I would like to see a Vortex operate if anyone is near Rutland VT

[tuolumne]

As said in the title, does anyone have a vortex near Danby. I would like to see one operate this season. We are considering a 40x14 for 2017.

[sapmaple]

Be happy to show you mine I'm in Cornwall about 40 mins from Rutland

[tuolumne]

Thank you for that reply, I'll try to contact when the season is in swing.

Vortex owners please chime in on another question. Leader's numbers seem to show improved performance on long and narrow with the Vortex. My experience with a 4x12 Inferno (7' steamaway with Revolution/Max-Combi) and a 4x12 Inferno (8' steamaway 7-1/2" flues) shows that Leader's numbers are repeatable and I do not doubt them. The rig with the 8' flue definitely boils faster than the 7' even though the 7' technically has more flue surface area. The open surface on top and the steam-away length must contribute much. A 40x14' rig would have 33 square feet of flue pan and steam-away while the 4x12 would have 32 feet. That is very similar. Somehow the length itself is adding nearly 200 gpm to their numbers (Vortex vs. Inferno) Please share your thoughts.

[n8hutch]

Your not calculating your square feet properly. I longer flue pan is going to have more square feet per flue. Where a wider flue pan would have say 3 more flues than the 40" one.

I would be willing to bet that a 40"×10' max flue pan has 40-50 square feet more surface area than a 4'×8'. I don't know how much that effects a steam away but if I had to guess it would be about 15-20% larger also. Best bet would be to call a leader dealer you trust. 200 gph more sounds a little suspect unless they were comparing the older flue pans to the Max Flues.

I apologize for not being a vortex owner. Missed that till I reread your post.

[Bruce L]

Our Vortex is 3x14, 10' max flue pan all raised. No preheater,no steamaway or hoods,no ro and easily chomping through 250+ gallons per hour

[sapmaple]

Another thing to consider is the ratio of flue pan size to front pan If your boiling raw sap you would want as much flue pan as you could get, However if your boiling concentrate let's say 12% and have a steam away then your putting about 18% in your flue pan I prefer a larger front pan so if can travel the four compartments without making syrup in the middle, I have the 4x12 7 foot flue and steam-away with a 5 foot front pan I'm doing between 400 and 425 gals an hr.