Condensation Issues/Leaks on Homebuilt Steam Hood

[Ghs57]

I'm having some issues with my steam hood on a 2x6 SL hybrid pan. Got it installed and fired it up only to find that the drip channels leak at the corners (welded aluminum channel), with some of the water draining back into the pan. There is also condensation forming on the inside of the flat top which is dripping back into the pan. I'm also not sure the 8" stack is going to draw enough because I have steam billowing out from under the hood over the syrup pan.

It there anything I can use to seal the corners? This is disappointing after all the work, and with so much sap to boil.

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Pictures are before channel was installed.

[Ekrueger]

I used DAP food grade (http://www.lowes.com/pd_625655-68-08660_0__?productId=50296373)silicone in the color of stainless steel for sealing the stacks to my hood.


I didn't use a flat top roof to prevent the dripping in the middle. This made attaching the stacks a little more difficult, but it seems to work really well.
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[Ghs57]

I removed the hood until I can make some modifications. I'll look for the NSF silicone and give that a try on the corners. I may also go with a 10" steam stack. Good idea on your peaked top.

[maple flats]

My factory made hoods have a large rather flat funnel under each stack with a drain to the hood gutter. This catches the drips or actually a small solid stream and gets it out to a drain.

[Ekrueger]

I also added "catch pans" to divert the condensation from the stacks to the outside drains. The pent roof design was to address the rest of the flat top areas which can drip condensed water back into the pans.

[Sugarmaker]

Not sure you noticed but that coffee table is going to get might hot when you fire that up in the living room!:) Just kidding. Hoods look pretty good to me.
Remember if its not leaking or on fire your probably not making maple syrup!
Regards,
Chris

[Sugarmaker]

Not sure you noticed but that coffee table is going to get might hot when you fire that up in the living room!:) Just kidding. Hoods look pretty good to me.
Remember if its not leaking or on fire your probably not making maple syrup!
Regards,
Chris

[Ghs57]

My factory made hoods have a large rather flat funnel under each stack with a drain to the hood gutter. This catches the drips or actually a small solid stream and gets it out to a drain.


I also added "catch pans" to divert the condensation from the stacks to the outside drains. The pent roof design was to address the rest of the flat top areas which can drip condensed water back into the pans.

I'm thinking in addition to the stack drains, doing some kind of catch for the flat top. I've boiled two times after I removed the hood, an I'd swear it boiled faster. But I have no proof of that statement. I did pick up some food grade silicone, and I will try the hood again, if we get another run this season.

[Ghs57]

Not sure you noticed but that coffee table is going to get might hot when you fire that up in the living room!:) Just kidding. Hoods look pretty good to me.
Remember if its not leaking or on fire your probably not making maple syrup!
Regards,
Chris
I was wondering what that funny smell was, and where the coffee table went.

I'm not sure I'm sold on home made equipment. Then again, nearly my entire setup is home made. I haven't burned down the shack, yet, but i have highly developed leaking and inefficient equipment. It would make Rube Goldberg proud.

I guess it can be summed up in these few words: Got sap? Make syrup.