opinions on evaporators

[thenewguy]

Hey guys, I'm currently boiling on a homade 2x5 flat pan w dividers (stainless) over a over an oil drum, all arched and firebricked. Question is this is a difficult rig to finish on. So I am thinking about buying a new one, I've been considering the Lapierre/Waterloo/Small 18"x60" Same evaporator as the D&G "sportsman". With my own rig its boils between 11-15 gal per hour depending if your holding your tounge the right way. Would this 18x60 be a step down for me or would I be better to stick with what I got. I currently tapping around 120 taps. MAybe I'd be better off to get off my wallet and buy a 2x6?? I'm currently happy with the amount of taps I've got so I dont plan on expanding. Are these 18x60's any good, any idea what the GPH rate would be with a 18x60 raised flue? Thanks guys, hopefully you can understand what I'm asking...

[royalmaple]

sent you a PM.

[mapleman3]

maybe 15-18GPH

[Russell Lampron]

A 2x6 is the smallest evaporator with all of the bells and whistles that a large evaporator has. The smaller ones all have some short comings so to speak and you may or may not be happy with it and the performance you get out of it. With that being said 120 taps will be enough to feed a 2x6 although it will handle up to 300 without a problem with an evaporation rate of around 30 gph.

You are happy with the 120 taps now but if you wanted to expand with the 2x6 you can do it without having to upgrade the evaporator again. You can finish syrup in a 2x6 too I do it that way with mine.

Russ

[TapME]

not to change the topic any, but how many gph would a 3x6.5 give in evaporation? a 3x3.5 with 4" flues and a 3x3 finish pan both with 3 compartments. This would be on a block arch with fire brick and feed door with draft control and arched up to force the flame through the flues. Typical wood(anything that burns, slabs, pallets, cut and split pine tops etc.) and an occasional piece of hard wood. Needed to upgrade to handle 200 taps. May even boil under cover for the first time. Just looking for some starting info. Thanks

[royalmaple]

You'll get exactly between 5 gph and 85 gph. I guarentee it.

Problably closer to 25-35.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

A 2x6 would be the best bet in my opinion as it is not a lot more money and it would be nicer to process 150 gallon of sap in aprox 5 to 6 hours vs 9 to 12 on the smaller unit.

As everyone else will atest, you always find ways to add more taps.