Recessed Floor in front of Arch/Wood Storage

[Ghs57]

I'm reading the old UVM Sugarhouse Design document, and "It is recommended that the floor in front of the evaporator be recessed 8 to 12 inches for convenience for firing the box and for ash removal." (Page 10, under Floors) Has anyone done this? It makes sense to me, as the most inefficient process of my operation is fueling the arch. My wood is stacked in the wrong place (along side the house, and retrieved by the wheelbarrow load. I split some inside which can make a mess and blocks the door. Not that a recess would help with that, but it may be a back saver. I'm just wondering what others have done.

I wish I saw this document before I designed my shack, particularly the recommended location for the wood storage. The idea of easing and streamlining the movement of firewood to the arch is appealing, and if I expand my shack, I want to take advantage of some long standing design considerations. I know what does not work so well.

[maple maniac65]

In today's world a recessed floor is a hazard and higher insurance. Would be a good thing to have checked out before going that route

[wiam]

In today's world a recessed floor is a hazard and higher insurance. Would be a good thing to have checked out before going that route

I agree with this. I put my 2x6 on 8" concrete blocks to make wood loading easier. My other concern when I built was what if you change or move your evaporator?

[Ghs57]

I certainly see the hazard. All three sample plans in the document show the recess, and they date from 1948, 1966 and 1977. I guess back then the sugar makers were more agile and careful.:)

Don't get me wrong, I did not build a recess. I'm just looking to improve my workflow. I can't raise my arch either, it's made out of concrete and sits on a slab (I make concrete countertops, so it was cheap and easy to cast one). It's also quite high already. If it gets much higher I'll need a ladder to see in the syrup pan (another hazard). I would probably not do it again this way due to the weight/lack of portability, and perhaps the less than ideal efficiency of the design.

I am interested in the workflow of others as far as firewood goes. I can extend my shack by adding a roof on the arch loading end where I can stack my wood. At least then it would be a straight shot in and I would not have to go far for wood, or out in the elements when it's raining or snowing.

[n8hutch]

I put a pit in my Sugarhouse floor, haven't used it yet but I think I am going to like it. And if I don't I can put half a yard of sand in there and pour concrete over it.

[saphead]

Worked in a lot of sugarhouses over the years and visited quite a few others. I've seen people bent down on one knee and putting wood in to standing straight up and firing at chest high. Believe me you don't want to mess up your back! The set up I prefer is a combination of a couple places I've worked and visited.With today's modern pans being at least twice as deep it would be best not to raise the arch and have a bunch of little step stools around to trip over and fall off of. If possible build a 2 level sugarhouse; lower level for wood and firing, upper level for boiling and all that goes with it.Height level between the two depends on your height; 1 step 2,3 or even 4 if your a retired basketball player. Have the arch set back from the vertical concrete wall that is the width of your arch or wider depending on the type of door(s) and swing.This will be your walkway in front of your arch,it doesn't have to be wide especially if the front of your rig is insulated(you don't want to have to go up and down steps to just get from one side of the rig to the other).On either side are your stairs going down to your firing level.Railings on the stairs or steps and a hand rail across the front of the arch above the door swing height for your walkway,it's best to arrange these for a nice place to lean against while watching the rig.This two level approach leaves all your wood mess down on that level and not up on the clean level,as it should be. Hope you can picture what I tried to explain.

[Ghs57]

I put a pit in my Sugarhouse floor, haven't used it yet but I think I am going to like it. And if I don't I can put half a yard of sand in there and pour concrete over it.

Nate, you must be both agile and careful! :)

[Ghs57]

Worked in a lot of sugarhouses over the years and visited quite a few others. I've seen people bent down on one knee and putting wood in to standing straight up and firing at chest high. Believe me you don't want to mess up your back! The set up I prefer is a combination of a couple places I've worked and visited.With today's modern pans being at least twice as deep it would be best not to raise the arch and have a bunch of little step stools around to trip over and fall off of. If possible build a 2 level sugarhouse; lower level for wood and firing, upper level for boiling and all that goes with it.Height level between the two depends on your height; 1 step 2,3 or even 4 if your a retired basketball player. Have the arch set back from the vertical concrete wall that is the width of your arch or wider depending on the type of door(s) and swing.This will be your walkway in front of your arch,it doesn't have to be wide especially if the front of your rig is insulated(you don't want to have to go up and down steps to just get from one side of the rig to the other).On either side are your stairs going down to your firing level.Railings on the stairs or steps and a hand rail across the front of the arch above the door swing height for your walkway,it's best to arrange these for a nice place to lean against while watching the rig.This two level approach leaves all your wood mess down on that level and not up on the clean level,as it should be. Hope you can picture what I tried to explain.

That sounds like a great arrangement. I like the steps/railings setup. I can't easily change my current setup to that degree, and I may never be big enough for this arrangement, but you never know.

Edit: I've already got the bad back. Just trying to keep it from getting worse.

[n8hutch]

Nate, you must be both agile and careful! :)
It's roughly 20" deep, I am going to put a step or 2 into when I figure out the best local for the steps. And the arch is going to sit about 6" back from the edge. Will post pics when completed.

[Ghs57]

Don't go over 8" per step. 3 risers for 20" would be the best (my brother is in the stair fabrication business). I would love to see how this works out for you guys.

[n8hutch]

Don't go over 8" per step. 3 risers for 20" would be the best (my brother is in the stair fabrication business). I would love to see how this works out for you guys.
Haha, better check your math, if I use 2 steps the third step is on the slab its self, only need 2 risers approx 6 and 9/16 per step.

[Ghs57]

Yes you have two steps but 3 rises . 6 9/16 is a very good, easy rise. You'll love it.

[Michael Greer]

I put an 8" step in my sugarhouse right at the front of the arch. The entire cooking and bottling room is at the higher level, while the firing area and entire woodshed are at the lower level. It's one of the best features I could recommend.

[RFM]

I seen a two level design at an amish gentleman's camp that looked very efficient. I measured the height to be 30 inchs. I then modified it to include an ash pit, and narrowed it to support our 1- face cord pallets. This has worked well for us. The top cord in photo is for storage. (move it down during operation.)

1634216343

[n8hutch]

Nice setup for sure.

[Ghs57]

That's beautiful. I want you cutting my wood RFM!