half pint evaporator ?

[buckeyeboy]

How much sap do I need to start my first boil? How much sap before I get my first draw ? When I shut down and not going to boil for 4-5 days what do I do with the sap in the evaporator ?Any idea how much a half pint weights,with the bricks in. Any ideas how to move a half pint with the bricks in,would need to move it about 100 miles. Thanks for any help you can give me.Looking at a used one is the reason for all the questions.

[slammer3364]

probably about 40 or 50 gal. of sap.Depends on sugar content for first draw, I just run 100 gal. thru a 18 x 48 not much sugar yet.Keep it right in evap,if it gets real cold I put a heat lamp on it so it doesnt freeze.Take the bricks out (they should not be mortared)put them in when you get home....Best of luck and enjoy

[Sweet Shady Lane]

I have a half pint and I start mine with about 35 gallons, remember the boiling rate is only about 6 gallons per hour give or take, my first draw off is after about running 50 or so gallons again remember the 40 to 1 rule, as for moving one I don't know I have mine on wheels so it's easy to move around, if this is your first season with it have fun and TRY to keep it simple you will get HOOKED

[bowtie]

I move my 2x6 fully bricked off my trailer and not my sugar house with a pallet jack and three of us and a lot of grunting and equal amounts of swearing, when I moved my 2x4 I used my bucket on my tractor to lift it. If you have a tractor or a friend with one you can lift with bucket to a trailer or truck bed, then use a ramp with pallet jack to remove. Lay plywood down on path and pallet jack should pull it nicely.

[Dave Puhl]

Ask yourself how far am I going to take the syrup making...just for fun and family a half pint is fine.... if you want to take the next step get a 2x6...

[buckeyeboy]

Thanks for all the info.