Are 2 pans better than a hybrid pan

[lyford]

So I'm currently in the market for a new evaporator. Been doing a lot of research on smoky lake pans and am currently leaning towards a hybrid pan from Jim. I did email Bill Mason, who incidentally is not currently accepting anymore flue pan orders, and he recommended I get a syrup and flue pan as the syrup pan will always need to be replaced before the flue pan, sometimes twice over. Looking for any advice people with experience may have. I had never heard of this before and didn't realize it was an issue. Or maybe it's not an issue. I just want to make sure if I spend that kind of money on a pan/pans I'm buying so etching that's gonna last. So is a 2 pan system better than a hybrid pan? Any insight is much appreciated.

[psparr]

One other benefit is cleaning the syrup pan mid season. You can take it off and leave the glue pan full of sap.

[motowbrowne]

Yeah, I'd agree with Bill. 2 pans is better than one. After all, you don't see any 3x12s with one pan, do you? Scorching a syrup pan is a lot more common than wrecking a flue pan. Replacing a syrup pan is also a lot cheaper than replacing a flue pan. If you're buying something you want to last, personally, I'd go with a 2x6 with a 4' flue pan. You'll have some room to grow, and it'll be a lot more efficient (not just faster) than something 4 feet long.

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

syrup pan ALWAYS burns before the flue pan

[lyford]

So is the reason for having to replace the syrup pan b/c it gets scorched? I've only had flat pans to this point in time, is it a common occurrence to scorch pans when using a flue pan set up?

[motowbrowne]

So is the reason for having to replace the syrup pan b/c it gets scorched? I've only had flat pans to this point in time, is it a common occurrence to scorch pans when using a flue pan set up?

A little scorch is no big deal, but if you run them dry they'll warp or even burn through, which often warrants replacement.

No, it's not common, and having a flue pan in the system doesn't make it more or less common. It's possible a float could fail and sap stops coming in. Otherwise it's because something clogged or your head tank ran dry. A careful operator should be able to prevent these events 100% of the time, but accidents happen.

Also, it's possible that niter can coat the bottom of your syrup pan and the bottom can scorch underneath that. Reversing the draw off side and cleaning the syrup during the season can prevent this. Also, it usually only results in a small burned spot, and can usually just be scrubbed off.

[n8hutch]

Yes it is more likely that you could scorch the front pan/syrup pan or syrup compartment on a Hybrid pan. That's the chance you take with any pan. You really want to be watching them all the time. I used to sugar with some friends that had a Small Brothers Hybrid pan that was new in 1985, it has never been scorched and a guy in Vermont bought it this year and is continuing to make syrup on it.

So they are a viable option for someone who doesn't want to spend the big money on a pan set. A two pans setup will always be better but some guys can make it work with one.

[FDA]

Two pan system for sure. Syrup pan is WAY cheaper to replace rather than a hybrid pan. You need to clean your syrup pan often and a hybrid pan would be much harder to do that with. With a two pan system you can isolate the syrup pan with valves or plugs from the flue pan to reduce mixing while the evaporator is not in use.