My first evaporator

[USMCLtcol]

Well I am ready for my second year and have upgraded from the turkey fryer. Thanks to all here that have shared info. Test boil on my Oil tank evaporator today. Had to get my teenager to help with the stack. 15035150361503715038. Had a local shop build my pans

Next task get the pvc piping connected to my storage barrel.

[barnbc76]

Very nice, what size pans?

[USMCLtcol]

14x24 syrup pan and 34x24 sap pan.
Built the evaporator over the summer and just got the pans Last week.

[blurr95]

Looks nice. Quite the step up from a turkey friar.

Jason

[barnbc76]

That will be a huge upgrade over the turkey fryer. I am finishing building my oil tank arch, and my pan should be done this week, cant wait to fire it up. How many cans of spray paint dif it take?

[BAP]

Looks great and have fun with it. Also, thank you for your service.

[USMCLtcol]

One quart of high heat rustoleum was plenty and had some left for touchup

[Dale Sparrow]

I've been told pure maple syrup is more addictive than just about anything. :)

[Zucker Lager]

One quart of high heat rustoleum was plenty and had some left for touchup

Hey USMCLtcol:
I found that Rustoleum has two kinds of the high heat paint one is labeled 2000 degree the other is for much less heat................I found out the hard way. Jay

[Chickenman]

USMCLtCol. Thank you for your service. Now drop and boil me 50.

[USMCLtcol]

Weather has been weird here. 22 in the morning and 61 in the afternoon on Tuesday. Got 35 gallons in 4 days and decided to boil based on temps. Wow what an upgrade! Easily got 10gph and took it easy on stoking the fire since this was my first time running an evaporator. Used a mix of wood and coal since the coal was free. Very pleased with the results.

Thank you to everyone here for openly sharing ideas and plans. This southern boy has the syrup bug.

[Polish Wizard]

Used a mix of wood and coal since the coal was free. Very pleased with the results.


Back in my steel mill days we used "salamanders" to keep warm. Our plant made pipe, so these were 4-foot lengths of about 24" diameter and standing upright. They had a grate inside and arches cut at the bottom to allow air to enter below. We started a wood fire, then transitioned to burning coke. The salamanders would get cherry red due to the coke.

Did you have any problem with your fire getting too hot with coal? Are you using air under or over fire?

[USMCLtcol]

I did not have a problem with it getting to hot. I alternated fuel. Wood one time and 8-12 pieces of coal the next. I have a 4" round duct fan for auf that is supposed to be 150 cfm but I did not notice any improvement when I used it. So I stopped using it. Really good natural draft from my perspective. Running the sap 1" deep and have 3/4" in the syrup pan.