needed: higher boil rate

[fishman]

I have a homemade evaporator with a 2x4 flat pan. 2 of my kids have moved home and bought adjoining properties and have pushed me to expand to 100 taps. I'm spending way to much time in the sugarhouse boiling. I'm getting about 10-12 gpu now but would like to cut that as much as possible. I don't want to go with a bigger evaporator due to available space. I currently pull the pan off on a set of rails that clip on the side of the evaporator when a batch is done. I've thought about a raised flue pan, and/or a small fan. Any other thoughts on how to increase my evaporation rate?

[GramaCindy]

I learned early on that the depth of sap in my pan helped to determine my boil rate. Originally I had a divided pan 2x4 from Wm. Mason. I boiled that at about an 1" after I learned the quirks really well. I now have a 2x5 dropped flue pan from Jim at Smoky Lake, and it was quite intimidating at first, but I learned that I evaporated much quicker with a depth of about 1-1 3/4". do you have a blower for AUF? Do you preheat your sap? I felt that that really helped on my Mason, but it really isn't needed on the new drop flue pans. The sap hits the pan right where there is a tremendous boil going on, and never slows it down. I feel for you, with sap coming in constantly from your trees, only so many hours in a day, things get behind quickly!

[psparr]

A blower will help gain maybe 15%, but that's about as good as you'll get. Maybe you can find a 4' raised flue pan and just batch boil on it.

[Chipmunk]

2 of my kids have moved home and bought adjoining properties and have pushed me to expand to 100 taps.
I know a great way to reduce your time boiling without increasing the evaporation rate ... put the kids to work!

[Big_Eddy]

I have a homemade evaporator with a 2x4 flat pan. 2 of my kids have moved home and bought adjoining properties and have pushed me to expand to 100 taps. I'm spending way to much time in the sugarhouse boiling. I'm getting about 10-12 gpu now but would like to cut that as much as possible. I don't want to go with a bigger evaporator due to available space. I currently pull the pan off on a set of rails that clip on the side of the evaporator when a batch is done. I've thought about a raised flue pan, and/or a small fan. Any other thoughts on how to increase my evaporation rate?

Some starting numbers to think about.
2x4 flat pan, natural draft 8-10 gph
2x4 flat pan, forced air 12-16 gph
Add a preheater and you might get to 15-20

2x4 flue pan, natural draft 16-20 gph
2x4 flue pan, forced air 20-25 gph

2x6 flue pan, natural draft 25-30 gph
....

The above are planning numbers. All can be influenced by wood, firing rate, sap depth etc.

With 100 taps, ~16-20gph would be what I'd strive for. Not too big to boil the slow days, but big enough to keep up on the good days. Of course, that 100 will tend to grow over time if more trees are available, especially if the kids are keen.


(Note - I think in CDN gph. Your current 10-12 US gph rate is in line with the number above.)

[fishman]

The kids help alot. Even took a week vacation while the wife had spring break right in the middle of the best run of the year. 3 year old grandson thinks he runs the operation some days.

[fishman]

Thanks eddy. I'd really like to get in that 18-20 range. I have a ton of trees that I could tap but for now this seems about right for friends, family and presents. Kids want to do a little retail but that's not my bag.

[Big_Eddy]

Fishman
18-20gph is doable on a 2x4 arch, but you will need to move to a flue pan to consistently hit those numbers. There are a number of vendors making 2x4 hybrid pans that should meet your needs. Many members have had good success with Smokey Lake and Patrick Phaneuf, as well as the big players.

As soon as you move to a flue pan, you also move to a continuous flow process. That has the advantage that (once sweetened) you can boil for as long as it takes to process the sap on hand, then shut down until the next run. You are not limited to having to gather up 70-100 gallons for each batch. I HIGHLY recommend that you get a float box with whatever you decide to go with. It will make all the difference in the world.

[wobbletop]

What about RO to reduce the boiling time?

[fishman]

Building is not heated and only has an extension cord to it for power which I'm hoping to remedy this summer.

[325abn]

I have boiled on this hybrid pan for the past 10 years, averaged 26.4/HR of about 650 gallons this year. This pan will be for sale this year.14168

[psparr]

I have boiled on this hybrid pan for the past 10 years, averaged 26.4/HR of about 650 gallons this year. This pan will be for sale this year.14168

How much? Am interested.