End of the year. What do you clean your pan(s) with.

[Jolly Acres Farm]

Now that the season is over and we are now left with cleanup what do you use to clean your pan(s)? What are the pros and cons to your method?

[325abn]

cleaning vinegar, water and some elbow grease.

[lastwoodsman]

Drain, flush loose crap with water,
fill to boiling height with water,
dump in one gallon of pan cleaner.
Light small fire bring to about 120/140 degrees F.
Walk away for 5 to 6 hours.
Come back using a flu brush,brush inside of flus to remove loose crap
Using a sponge wipe out and flush with water.

[Kbrooks80]

I used a 50/50 mix on white vinegar, then brought the pan to a boil. With a little light brushing and rinse with clean water my pan was like new.

[Jolly Acres Farm]

Thank you for the answers. Anyone else have any additional suggestions?

[RIVERWINDS]

Vinegar solution all the way.

You can see where the mix was up to...this was an overnight soak mid season.

14272

[Michael Greer]

Does vinegar work on the underside as well?

[Jolly Acres Farm]

Vinegar solution all the way.

You can see where the mix was up to...this was an overnight soak mid season.

14272

That's excellent results, was that with a 50/50 vinegar mix?

[RIVERWINDS]

That's excellent results, was that with a 50/50 vinegar mix?

Probably 4-5 gallons vinegar (plain pickling vinegar) in 40 gallons of water off the preheater.

[RIVERWINDS]

Does vinegar work on the underside as well?

I would think it would if you could soak it somehow...although have never tried it.

I have welded pans so flip it over and soak it down with easy off oven cleaner...let sit overnight power wash off and bam, brand new.

[lastwoodsman]

Probably 4-5 gallons vinegar (plain pickling vinegar) in 40 gallons of water off the preheater.


One gallon of pan cleaner (10.00) would be cheaper or the same cost and do the job quicker.

[RIVERWINDS]

Not if I have to drive 4 hours to get it.



One gallon of pan cleaner (10.00) would be cheaper or the same cost and do the job quicker.

[MISugarDaddy]

Last time I checked, pan cleaner is not recommended for flue pans. I use 50/50 vinegar mix and it works great. During the season if I have a down day and the syrup pan has any niter build up I empty it and put straight vinegar in it so the bottom is covered and let it sit over night. Next morning the niter comes right off with out scrubbing and after a good rinse, it is ready to go.
Gary

[Jolly Acres Farm]

Thank you everyone, these are the ideas i'm looking for.

[buck3m]

One thing I'd stress is that for vinegar time is your friend. Sometimes deposits that refuse to come off at first will fall off if left long enough, like a full day or days.

https://www.smokylakemaple.com/how-to-clean-your-smoky-lake-evaporator-pan/

[madmapler]

I use Universal brand dairy acid from Delaval. I'm wondering if anyone else uses it? Maybe it's similar to pan cleaner. I don't know. It's pretty amazing stuff. I can buy 30 gallons for about $170. which gets me through a season and then some on my 4x12. When I put it in my front pan at about 50/50 and bring it to a simmer, the niter build up (no matter how thick) turns pink and lifts right off the pan. Then I flush it out with permeate.

[WESTMAPLES]

for the inside of my pans i fill them with sap at the end of the season, let it sit for a month or so ... then drain them off wipe and rinse and im done. before and during the season i use zep milk stone remover ( i think thats what its called ) put it in a spray bottle, spray it on foam crud or nitre and it comes right off with a wipe and a few good rinses and in up and running again

[bstewar]

Last time I checked, pan cleaner is not recommended for flue pans. I use 50/50 vinegar mix and it works great. During the season if I have a down day and the syrup pan has any niter build up I empty it and put straight vinegar in it so the bottom is covered and let it sit over night. Next morning the niter comes right off with out scrubbing and after a good rinse, it is ready to go.
Gary

This is what I have done. Works great. I may even fire up the arch to speed up the cleaning process.

[PerryFamily]

Anyone know why pan acid isn't recommended for flue pans? I know many people that use it and have no issues with it

[acafro]

Anyone know why pan acid isn't recommended for flue pans? I know many people that use it and have no issues with it
It can eat away at the welds over time. And I imagine it's difficult to completely neutralize the acid in all the nooks.

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