Barrel Boiler Guys Step Inside

[johnpma]

How are you guys finishing your sap? I have always used the kitchen stove but I'm thinking of going to a single burner 1100 watt hot plate for next year

How do you guys finish? Does anyone make a small finisher??? We make about 3 gallons a year so I'm trying to justify some sort of minimal investment

[BobMac]

I boil down to 216/217 and then finish in a stainless steel pot
on a propane turkey fryer.Heck the first year I used a $20.00
Walmart porcelain canning type pot worked great.Just watch
your heat,low and slow works best to keep from boiling over.
don't ask how I know :)

[johnpma]

I boil down to 216/217 and then finish in a stainless steel pot
on a propane turkey fryer.Heck the first year I used a $20.00
Walmart porcelain canning type pot worked great.Just watch
your heat,low and slow works best to keep from boiling over.
don't ask how I know :)

Ummmmm that's why I'm moving it outside:lol::lol::lol: I have done a number on the stove inside

Thinking one of these

[dunst83]

I second the turkey fryer. I got my propane fish fryer on sale for $39. The fish fryer isn't as tall as the turkey fryer, but I only finish off about 5 litres at a time.

[viperfan1212]

I have been finishing on the stove also (only do about 3-5 gallons a year). I was going to finish on the turkey fryer this year but didnt want to get a new bottle propane yet. Stove is just convient right now. If we expand we will use the fryer for a finisher.

[johnpma]

I have used a turkey fryer in the past outside however my plan is to move inside so I'm concerned about exposed flames

Are the fish fryers like the small electric "fry daddy" type?

[dunst83]

No, it's a stainless pot about 18 inches across and 8 inches deep. It comes with a strainer basket that I thought could be useful for filtering but now can't find.

[campus189]

I finish outside using either stainless steel pans or pots.
My food serving pans are 3-4", so they are shallow.
When the level gets low, I transfer to a stainless pot.
Cynder blocks help with wind.
http://mapletrader.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=13810&stc=1
http://mapletrader.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=13811&stc=1http://mapletrader.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=13812&stc=1

[Dennis H.]

The hot plate will work just like your stove top. Just be sure that the pot of hot syrup is stable sitting on top of the hot plate.

I think the main reason why just about everyone mentions using a propane burner from a turkey fryer is that they already are using one to boil the sap down to make syrup.
They just change over to a small pot and finish on the propane burner. Keep the possible mess outside. But there is no reason why the stove or a hot plate will not work.
I would make sure that it is a high enough wattage that you are able to get a good boil going otherwise it may be awhile.

If you are having foaming issues you may need to look into getting defoamer. A drop every now and then will knock the bubbles down and keep you from having a huge mess on the stove.