Cinder block arc and steam table pans--setting pans on rather than in

[holesinfour]

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone using a cinder block evaporator and steam table pans has tried setting pans on top of the arc rather than dropping them into it? Last year we used a bunch of tips gleaned off this forum to tweak our design and got consistent rolling boils from all three pans, but we've been coffin dropping them and cleaning is a pain, not to mention removing pans from the evaporator, and we want to add a pan this year. Boil rate is our number one priority but if others have gotten a good boil going from pans set on top of the arc I'd like to give it a try.

Thanks!

[RileySugarbush]

If evaporation rate is the main thing, I say leave them down in there. Put some handles on the flanges to help lift them out.

[DuncanFTGC/SS]

If you want to set them on top, I would still find a way to put thinner blocks around the outside edges of the pans to retain heat, and block the wind. Then you just remove a block or two in order to take your pans off

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[holesinfour]

Thanks for the feedback! Given that our arc is just loose pieces, I think it would be worth giving it a shot on top with the insulating blocks as suggested. If it seems to be affecting our boil too much we can always widen the arc and go back to dropping.

[CharlieR]

I boiled on a cinder block arch with the pan on top (it was easier for the draw off) to get a better seal I used some old steel angle I had with some insulation blanket underneath to better seal the pans to the blocks which i feel created a better draft.

[Bernie/MA]

Hey Charlie, where abouts in Holliston are you? My college riend had farm on Hill St in Medway. I made a block setup for my grandson with an 18" x 36" pan. I'm a retired welder/fabricator with a small shop. I planned to make more but only got 3 ss pans made. My pressbrake broke down but I've got it fixed now so I should make frames to set the pans on. Maybe when snow comes and can't cut wood.

[CharlieR]

I'm on the other side of the lake on Arch Street. The key is trying to get the arch airtight, but with a block arch it difficult to do. I think a frame would help but making a front for the arch that can be sealed against the cinder blocks with a door that is easy to load and a way to regulate the draft into box would be a good place to start. I have attached a pic of my old arch and I just used what I had lying around and it worked fine.14804

[DuncanFTGC/SS]

This is the door that I built for my block arch, that I have not used yet. I have since painted it though! :)
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