Blower

[Big Daddy's Sugar Shack]

I run a small operation with a CDL Econo 1.5x6 evaporator. I was thinking of adding a blower this year just wondering if folks think there is a real benefit to this? If so, what should I be looking for in a unit, or is there a good DIY set up?

Thanks,

[RileySugarbush]

It's the single best thing to speed things up. It will boil more sap per hour, but burn more wood per hour too! A small centrifugal blower will be fine.

[maple flats]

A little squirrel cage blower in 100-200 CFM, maybe up to 350 CFM will be good for that. It's advisable to attach a adjustment gate on the blower inlet, then you can regulate the amount of air. To do that, simply get a flat piece of tin and attach it with a screw or pop rivet so it can be turned to cover the air inlet, then adjust the amout to find the best setting. With the blower and dry wood the boil rate often increases 15-20% sometimes more. Have the wood split small, a little under wrist size is best, especially on a smaller rig.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Remember to always shut down the air before you open the doors. You will also not be using the ash door so seal it closed with some sort of high heat insulation.

[GramaCindy]

Definitely remember to shut the blower down BEFORE you open the doors to put more wood in or you will be missing some hair and probably eyebrows!

[tgormley358]

I’m also adding a blower to my 2x5 raised fly evaporator, and wondered for install is it recommended to use caulk or similar at the attachment to the back of the firebox to help seal it?

Tom

[Greg MacWilliam]

My first blower was a bathroom fan we had around and it made a dramatic improvement in evap rate, never had to caulk the joints just keep them as tight as possable

[Russell Lampron]

I run a small operation with a CDL Econo 1.5x6 evaporator. I was thinking of adding a blower this year just wondering if folks think there is a real benefit to this? If so, what should I be looking for in a unit, or is there a good DIY set up?

Yes, adding a blower is the easiest and least expensive way to gain efficiency.


Remember to always shut down the air before you open the doors. You will also not be using the ash door so seal it closed with some sort of high heat insulation.
Definitely remember to shut the blower down BEFORE you open the doors to put more wood in or you will be missing some hair and probably eyebrows!

I have my blower adjusted so that I can fire without turning off the blower and losing the boil. I have a tall stack and I think that helps with some natural draft to pull the flames back into the arch.


I’m also adding a blower to my 2x5 raised fly evaporator, and wondered for install is it recommended to use caulk or similar at the attachment to the back of the firebox to help seal it?

Sealing it up is a good idea, I sealed mine with furnace and heat duct sealant.

[leaky bucket]

my first blower was one of those 5" heating duct booster in a heating duct pipe. of course. into a 3x10 boot .took the vent door off my ole lightning 2x6 arch and the square part of the boot fit not bad
that boosted my boiling incredibly and even made sense to boil on a low pressure day

mike

[Big Daddy's Sugar Shack]

Great information. Thank you very much!