Size of the sugar shack

[Samuelvw1]

So over the summer I'm getting a 2x4 evaporator I have been talking to 2 people with different options on the size of the shack I should build. One person told me make a shack to accommodate a 2x6 the other person says make the shack to accommodate a 2x8 so someday when u r ready to upgrade to a 2x6 your shack will be ready size wise I need advice please help

Sam
Shelton,ct
Season 1) only 1 gallon
Season 2) 5 gallons

[MISugarDaddy]

Definitely build it with the idea of a bigger evaporator, at least a 2 by 6. We built ours with that intention and don't regret it at all. If we could have gone bigger we would have, but the lay of the land (as can be seen by the pictures on the link in my signature) prevented us from doing that. If you are building it with a cupola, build that to handle the biggest evaporator that you could ever consider getting. As all others here will tell you, you will never regret it. One thing to think about on the size of evaporator that you might eventually consider is that you will need a lot less evaporator if you get an RO first. Getting rid of 75% of the water in sap before ever lighting your evaporator reduces the size of evaporator that you will need. Also think about the other equipment that you might get, such as a filter press, canner, etc.
Gary

[motowbrowne]

In the North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual, I believe it mentions that you should build sugar house twice the size you think it needs to be. That way, you'll only have to add on once.;)

[Jolly Acres Farm]

Samuelvw1,
I built mine for our new 2x4 evaporator. I built it large enough to easily fit a 2x6 or possible a 3x8 some day. It is 12x16, and the cost when building it "a little larger" was small compared to adding on to it later. Hope this helps.....

[Samuelvw1]

Thanks to everyone that totally helps

Sam

[wnybassman]

I built mine as big as the land would allow at 10x16. It's on a slope and I had to dig into the bank on one side and build up the ground on the other. It houses my 18x60 evaporator perfectly. I've done some measuring and I could probably squeeze a 2x6 in there if I had to. lol

Build it big enough the first time. I can't remember anyone complaining their shack is too big. :D

[Bucket Head]

All good advice above. Build it big enough for future equipment as Suggardaddy suggested. You never know where your operation might be in 5-10 years. The other thing I thought about when sizing mine was how many people can you get in it? Leave enough room so you and others cans work, along with that additional equipment, without being cramped and so visitors can move around while you work also. It is not fun trying to do anything when your elbow to elbow with the crowd. Does'nt matter if its an open house or just a lot family and friends, they all need some space.

[Samuelvw1]

Thanks everyone

Sam

[maple flats]

I say it should be like this, as in all such buildings, estimate what you need, then double it, in the end you will have half enough.
When I built mine I had a half pint, but had already planned to get a 2x6 so I made it big enough for a 3x8. I now have a 3x8 which in likely as big as I'll ever get, but in my sizing plans, I didn't properly calculate the extras. I have the 3x8, a 18" x 32" draw tank, an RO and RO room, a filter press, a 16 x 24 propane fired canner, a 2x6 propane finisher, 2 electrical panel boxes, 1 (a 60A panel) for my battery back up solar and another 225 A main panel with a 200A main (because code only allows sending 10% over rating into a box and I have 200A from the grid + up to 30A solar feeding in on a cold bright day), an inverter to convert DC to AC, a charge controller, a water heater, 2 coolers to store syrup, a sink, counter space and I likely forgot things too. I am cramped. For my 3x8 I should have built a 24x36, I have a 16x24.

[Maple Man 85]

Agreed, I'm building a 30x45 and if I had the cash I would have built bigger. In an effort to save money if you are construction inclined time rich and money poor (like many maple producers) do the work yourself it saves a ton of money. I'm already dabbling on adding lean-to on each side for additional storage.

Maple Man 85

[Russell Lampron]

When I built my sugarhouse I made it 12' x 24' with one end being a 12' x 12' evaporator room for my 2' x 6' and the other end a woodshed. Five years later half of the woodshed was made into an RO room and all of the wood was stacked on one side. Three years ago I enclosed the woodshed/RO room, moved the evaporator room wall back 2' so now I have a 12' x 14' evaporator room and a 12' x 10' RO and canning room. I then built a 8' x 24' woodshed/tankshed off of the side. I have a lot more room and the building is a lot more user friendly but it is still too small!!!

[Snowmad]

I'm planning on building a 2 car pole barn 24'x36' this fall. I'll have a wall up and have about 12'x24' for my 2x6 evaporator. Hope that will work!

No matter what I've built, I have always wished it was bigger. Build what you can afford and try to be happy with it. Good luck!

[Michael Greer]

I spent a few years working in a friend's sugarhouse. It gave me very good ideas about how I would improve, enlarge and arrange the various parts of the space. I am so pleased with my new sugarhouse, and couldn't have done it without that earlier experience.

[Sugarmaker]

Couple points mentioned.
big enough to expand if needed.
big enough for all the maple stuff you accumulate.
Big enough to have friends over,
Ours was designed for a larger evaporator (3 x 10)
Total building is 36 x 26 evaporator room is 16 x 24. Friend built the same building as ours and put in a 2 x 6 and he loves it. We had room to host 500 guests during maple weekend. (not all at one time):)
Have fun. And as mentioned if you can build it your self save some cash too.
Regards,
Chris