Sap in evaporator

[Sly41985]

Hey guys sorry this is a totaly newbie question but i just purchased leader wse 2x6 with drop flue and was just curious as to see what you guys do with sap in flue pan, say if you see its going to be a stretch of cold weather (below freezing) do you drain it? If you do how do you drain it? This pan does not have drain. Or do you guys just leave sap in it all season? Thanks for the help!

[SeanD]

Typically, if you boil every day or every other day then it can stay where it is. The weather has been anything but typical though, so if it sits - especially during a warm spell - you should give it a short boil to kill anything growing in there. Don't forget about the float box and the plumbing between the pans. Nasty critters like to gather there where it's warm, but away from the fire. Try to get boiling sap in there or drain them. Better to have sap spoil in a bucket than in the pan.

If the pan sits because of a freeze then it's a lot easier. You'll get a little ice or slush forming and that's okay. If it's a crazy deep freeze (teens or lower) then you can drain the pan or put a lightbulb in the fire box. Don't forget about the plumbing between the pans. That will freeze first.

I wish we had a deep freeze! This heat stinks.