2x6 steam hood

[Tapit1234]

I have a leader 2x6 with patriot pans and blower I'm thinking about a pre heater and stainless hood does anyone have this set up if so is it worth doing what's the evaporation rate. Thanks

[MISugarDaddy]

Tapit,

I would definitely recommend the hood and preheater. We have a Leader Inferno Arch with Revolution raised-flue pans with a Smoky Lake Hood and preheater and get 50 gallons per hour from it. I have checked the temperature of the sap coming out of the preheater where it goes into the flue pan and it is regularly 175 degrees when the temperature of the sap coming from the feed tank is only 35 degrees. If you go to the link in my signature you can see our setup.

Gary

[Drew Pond Maple]

I would recommend a preheater and hoods also. I don't know how much more gph you'll get I've never ran the evaporator without them. Mine has a temp gauge on output side of preheater, in the beginning of the year sap was exiting at 170*-180*. Last weekend it was at 200*

One bonus to these upgrades is all the free hot water.
I get 4-5 gallons per hour of condensate