H20 innovations 18x60 wood fired evaporator's

[1220']

Any input on the H20 18 x 60 rookie wood fired evaporator's ?
Thanks

[eagle lake sugar]

I have a 2'x8' drop flue and it's a nice rig. They're quite easy to run. I've pretty much outgrown it but have enjoyed using it for the past 4 seasons.

[sweetvt]

Any input on the H20 18 x 60 rookie wood fired evaporator's ?
Thanks
I don't have the H2O model but I do have a very similiar model made by Lapierre. These evaporator are good for around 100 Taps, and most set up as stock evaporate around 15+/- gals. Per hour. I have a drop flue and it can be a challenge to make syrup on it without plugging the back to front flow. if the H2O has a raised flue might be better at this with the ability to adjust the depth from front To back allowing finishing to syrup on the rig. I've seen people running upwards of 180 taps with similiar set ups and they put in some very long hours when the sap runs. Bottom line if you are just looking to get into sugaring with 75-100 taps and have no future plans to expand this is a great option, if the "potential" to expand is there you may want to go to next size of something like a 2x6. Other option is if taken care of these type of evaporators hold their value based on their demand, and after a couple of years you can always trade or sell for nearly what you bought it for if the " maple sickness" takes hold!

[1220']

thanks for the reply's, maybe I should be looking at a 2 x 6.
plans are to tap 150 trees next season.
what would you guys recommend for a 2x6 on a budget?

[motowbrowne]

thanks for the reply's, maybe I should be looking at a 2 x 6.
plans are to tap 150 trees next season.
what would you guys recommend for a 2x6 on a budget?

If you're gonna run 150 taps, I definitely wouldn't go smaller than a 2x6. A 2x8 would be better even, mostly because you'll soon want to run 250 taps.

A used 2x6 should be pretty easy to find. Lots of folks start there and then go to a 3x10 or bigger. There's at least one or two on Craigslist in my area for under $4000. Personally, unless you know you're going to top out at 150-200, I'd buy used, since someone else already took the major depreciation on it. You can buy a used 2x6 for $3500 (or so), run it for 4 years and it'll still be worth almost the same amount.

If you won't ever get bigger than 250 (think long and hard about this) I'd take a deep breath and order a shiny new 2x8. More syrup with not much more wood. Now's a good time to buy a Canadian rig. I was quoted a pretty good price on a Lapierre rig recently. I'd also check out Thor.

[sweetvt]

I second the Canadian manufactures's not nessicarily due to Better quality but more so due to the favorable current exchange rate with Canadian to US dollars. That being said CDl, Lapierre, Thor, H2O make great products as does Leader, and the many new Smaller US makers like Smokey Lake, Next Generation and Sunrise/ AA evaporators. Best advise is hit some of the company open houses at end of April, early May and touch and feel the different ones and get early order pricing. 2x6 for up to 200 taps (gravity) if vacuum or expansion think about a 2x8 or adding an RO might be best value and keeping 2x6. Most any 2x6 will evaporate 25-30 gals/ hour stock and with some tweaking( blowers/ preheater) they can be increased. A used 2x6 is also and option, but keep in mind many older pans before earl/mid 2000 were soldered as opposed to today's pans which are all welded. Nothing wrong with soldered pans except they require in general a little more TLC from their owners. If you ever will get to the point of selling syrup bulk in the future, consider welded pans as regulation are coming down the road with commercial/ bulk syrup .