Natural draft vs forced air

[calvertbrothers]

I finally can start looking at new 3 1/2 x 12 evaporators. Is there a big difference in boiling rate between natural draft and forced air?

[psparr]

Not sure on an evaporator that size, but on my 2x6 I wouldn't boil without it.

[treehugger]

Its like night and day.

[Sugarmaker]

We get a good rolling boil in all compartments with controlled air under and air over too.
Other than blower noise, I like it.
Regards,
Chris

[S.S.S]

We have a 3x12 that had natural draft and we installed forced air on it. Wouldn't go without forced air.

[nymapleguy607]

Adding a blower to an evaporator is kind of like going from a naturally aspirated engine to a turbo charged engine. Performance and output are very noticeable, like many people have said once you boil with a blower you wont go back to natural draft

[sap retreiver]

How do the grates hold up? I would almost think they might last longer. Also I like hearing what's going on, is the noise worth it?

[maple flats]

On my 3x8 with my air under fire (AUF) and high pressure air over fire (AOF) I have had the same grates since it was new in 2001 with the original owner. I installed the AUF/AOF, both high pressure, in 2011.