First boil with a split pan

[Andersen Farms]

We have a GBM outdoorsman and have just started this year with a 2x4 flue pan, and a 2x2 front pan. We are having a hard time getting the front pan to get a good boil. The heat is staying in the center. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[BAP]

How deep are you running the sap in your pans?

[Big_Eddy]

We have a GBM outdoorsman and have just started this year with a 2x4 flue pan, and a 2x2 front pan. We are having a hard time getting the front pan to get a good boil. The heat is staying in the center. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tell us more.
A picture of the boil in each pan and of the arch shape would really help.
Forced air or natural draft? Size and height of stack? How much space under the flues?
What are you burning? How big? How dry? How full? How often are you firing?
How experienced are you, and have you seen similar evaporators in operation?

The front of the flue pan will always boil harder than any other part of the evaporator. A good evaporator setup will have the final syrup compartment boiling a little softer than the others - makes for a more manageable process - but it needs to be boiling well or you will make syrup earlier in the evaporator.

Assuming natural draft, firing should be every 10 minutes or less, with an armful of dry wood smaller than your wrist. Don't fill the firebox, keep it under half full. Damp wood, too much wood, or too large wood and the front of the evaporator will get less heat.

[Andersen Farms]

We have been running it about 2" deep. Thinking that maybe a baffle might help...

[billyinvt]

I had this problem too. One thing that helped was loading the firebox high and tight to the door.

[BAP]

Try running you pans at closer to 1-1/2" deep. Too deep and they don't boil as well.

[Swampmapleman]

Try running 1 inch if you trust your float. Make sure your not over drafting by send all the heat out the stack.