55 gallon drum evaporator

[TOMWOLVES]

I made this 55 gallon drum evaporator a couple of years ago, and finally got the chance to use it February 21st in Northern Michigan. Lined it with firebricks and sand. The piece I cut out of the side of the barrel I used for a heat shield inside the barrel so that it would radiant the heat to the pan. I boiled down approximately 23 to 24 gallons of sap, 1/4 face cord of wood, 8 1/2 hours made 5 pints of syrup.
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[psparr]

And the addiction begins.

[wbreitbarth]

My cooker looked a lot like this my 1st year. I had the pan cut so the flames hit 1 of them and set the pre heater in the front. The 2nd time cooking in my 1st year I cut a 2nd hole so my preheater sat down in the fire also. It made a big difference. I still use the 55 gallon drum for cooking I just added a 2nd stove this year for my preheater and I cook about 4.5 gallons an hour now. 15789

[berkshires]

Nice work!

[STP92x]

Looks pretty good. I just built one myself with two pans on top. On piece of advice, add a pipe with a blower it makes a huge difference. I am just using a hair dryer for now and the difference in the heat is unreal.

[TOMWOLVES]

Howdy STP9x, do you have a photo? Thank you!

[TOMWOLVES]

Howdy wbreitbarth, where did you get your pans from?, your evaporator looks "hooked up" I would like to have two pans too. have a great day!

[STP92x]

I cut a hole along the bottom in the back of the barrel and laid a heavy 2.5 inch pipe along the bottom under the grates and drilled nine holes facing upwards. Stuffed the end of the pipe with roxul since I don't weld. I don't have a pic of the inside of the barrel but here is a picture from the back.
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[wobbletop]

^^^

I did the same thing but with 3" galvanized ducting and a bathroom fan. The bathroom fan is a lot quieter than a hair dryer. I added more holes to the duct this year and working much better. Basically a 1/4" whole every 1" along the duct under the fire.

[wbreitbarth]

Howdy wbreitbarth, where did you get your pans from?, your evaporator looks "hooked up" I would like to have two pans too. have a great day!

I got very lucky with my pans. Some old farmer had them that was friends with my dad. He sold them to me for $10.00 each! Both have draw off valves on them. The way your setup looks you should be able to get another buffet style pan on there if you turn them sideways pry work just as good.

[c0ps]

Since were posting our home made barrel evaporators...here is mine. I cut it so the pan slides in. Wrapped 1/4 inch tubing around the stack for prheated sap. Boils 5-6 gallons an hour. I was thinking of adding a fan but not sure where. If I place it at the bottom like you guys did, what happens when all the ash covers the pipe?
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[mspina14]

Here's mine that I started out with last year.

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Had a pan made for it and added a blower that connect to the bung hole on front lid.

Mark

[TOMWOLVES]

Awesome Mark, If you don't mind me asking who made your pan?

[TOMWOLVES]

Nice job!, I need to have two pans on mine.

[wbreitbarth]

The ash will not build up if your moving enough air in there. I can cook 3 days in a row 12 hours a day, the coals and the ash just get pushed farther back in the stove. It does make a big difference.

[Lukie]

Had this made by a local school 9 years ago and still going good159351593615937

[needmoremaples]

Here's mine that I started out with last year.

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Had a pan made for it and added a blower that connect to the bung hole on front lid.

Mark

are the bungs a certain MPT? never thought of just trying a 1.5"-2" pipe which that looks like it is.

[needmoremaples]

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found out welding this thin of metal is not something I'm used to but I'm getting the job done. hopefully getting started on fire blanket and brick tomorrow. I installed my door pretty low but how should I install a fan? should I build up the back of the arch?

Was thinking about using a 3" bathroom fan in the backside under the built up section but unsure how to terminate it in the fire box. from what I've read tonight I should attempt to make the door airtight. can I attain this with the door I have?

I was also thinking about coming into the bottom of the barrel in the front straight under fire/ metal grating. thoughts??

[maple maniac65]

I made a 2x3 out of diamond plate for my son years ago. We put the air intake in the bottom middle. He could fire it without shutting the fan off. We used a 4 inch air duct blower that I got off from ebay.

[maple flats]

Most bungs in steel barrels are 2" pipe thread in the US.

[needmoremaples]

finished mine up this weekend. giving it some time for the mortar to cure and I'll start it up!


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[WVKeith]

Looks very nice