Shipping Container Sugar shack

[In da bush]

I’ve been thinking about building a sugar shack for a while, and then the idea of using a shipping container popped into my head. It would obviously be easy enough to get a container, and then just converted into what would be needed for my small operation. This will be for next year not this year, Any thoughts?

[bigschuss]

I'm curious about your thought process. Boiling sap in a metal box, to me, would be just about the most soul-killing thing I could imagine. What is your goal? If it's to simply boil some sap out of the rain and wind...sure. I suppose a shipping container would work. Then again, so would a tarp. Not sure how much these things cost? But then add to that all of the modifications you'd have to do to make it more than just boiling sap in a tin can and I'd imagine it would be cheaper in the end to just build a shack. A shack would also look a lot nicer. So yeah, what are you looking to gain by boiling in a shipping container?

[Galena]

I’ve been thinking about building a sugar shack for a while, and then the idea of using a shipping container popped into my head. It would obviously be easy enough to get a container, and then just converted into what would be needed for my small operation. This will be for next year not this year, Any thoughts?

Uhhmmm well as someone who boiled last season using a tiny cheapass little tin garden shed...it worked but was a phenonemal pain in the butt. It wasn't vented for steam so each time I slid open the doors I'd be enveloped by moisture. Novelty soon wore off. Lots of condensation inside the shed, which damped the wood in there and made it harder to burn.

Which is why I got a bunch of shipping pallets and some sheet metal and made me a teeny little sugar shack this past year. It's got soffits so it will vent out the steam and smoke and there will be much better airflow. Meaning that wood inside won't get soggy and cause creosote buildup, which also happened last year with the tin shed.

So do yourself a favour and just build one from shipping pallets. Unless you really do want a ton of needless work spent modifying a shipping container.

[Russell Lampron]

I don't know if you're planning to rent the shipping container or buy it. If you're renting you can't cut holes in it or do any other modifications to let the steam and smoke out and let in some natural light.

I would look into a prefab shed. In my town I can build a 100 sq/ft building without a permit. That would let me build an 12x8 shed which is 96 sq/ft. I would build a cupola on the roof to let the steam out and add a couple of windows to let the sun in. There would be plenty of room inside for a small evaporator like a 1/2 pint. You could even put a 2x6 in there but it would be really tight.

[buckeye gold]

I agree with Russ, build a small shack. I have a 10x16 the Amish built me on skids. It cost me $2500.00 and has a vent and they built in the roof jack. I bet a container would cost you that with no modifications. My shack is 5 years old and still in great shape.

[Chickenman]

Mine is just 2x3 framing with corrugated metal for the roof and siding. I think i'm all in at around $800 for an 8x8 shed. Nothing fancy but keeps me dry and out of the wind and everything maple related is stored in 1 spot.
1951619515

Used the original framing just removed the plastic and added metal,

[In da bush]

The shipping container as is being just a starting point, it would be modified to look more like a sugar shack with a Cupolla etc. it would provide a very sturdy base and is easily modified. I would be looking at only a 20’ high cube foot shipping container. I do my wood in IBC cages and it would be very easy to load wood into the container and move it with a pallet jack.

[Potters3]

I know it has been done before. There are a bunch of guys in our area that us them for tank storage and vac houses. You are correct very solid and strong, you can get them cheap, and they are easily modified. And I would think would be considered a temporary structure for permitting.

Go for it. Post picks when you are started and done.

[maple flats]

With a cupola, windows and a hood on the pan(s) plus the smoke stack out it should be OK. I suggest however you calculate your cost for the finished sugarhouse and compare that with a ready made shed. While it's bigger than you are talking, I bought a 14x28 Amish built shed with a hip roof about 16 months ago for $7280. It has extra runners under the floor and an 8W x 7.5'H double door plus 2 man doors 3x6'8". I drive my 4000# tractor with a cab in it and store it inside. If you were to get something similar you would still need to add a cupola and cut in the stack plus protect the floor by the evaporator, but it may prove handier.

[TapTapTap]

Been there, done that.

19527

Details:
- I had the box from a construction demolition project at the Shelburne Museum. It was part of a display called the Kakilns House (https://www.designboom.com/architecture/adam-kalkin-kalkin-house/)

- It had openings cut into the sides for mandoors (made barn door for it) and in the roof (perfect for steam outlet).

- Worked but very wet inside. and cooled off very quickly.

- It was a novel idea that was always meant to be temporary until we got our sugarhouse built. Now its a storage barn

- The box was free and it wouldn't have worth it to pay more than the improvements I made.

Ken

[jrm]

Used the original framing just removed the plastic and added metal,[/QUOTE]

In your original version, what's protecting the chimney? Rigid insulation? Something else?

I've not gotten past the temporary wind walls we put up with plywood. Nothing protected more than 4' high and nothing overhead. All the posts I hear about what people have done and I think I'll get there some point. But, I boil in the middle of our yard every year. I think I could manage the framing and plastic sheeting.

[Chickenman]

On my first shack I just had cement board behind the stove pipe. Still using the cement board. No insulation.The stove pipe is about 4 inches from the cement board and it does not seem to get warm at all, only where the pipe goes through but that has about a 1/2 gap around the pipe...no thimble.

[In da bush]

It’s an idea in its infancy and I need to crunch the numbers more as you’ve suggested. Thanks for the input!!
With a cupola, windows and a hood on the pan(s) plus the smoke stack out it should be OK. I suggest however you calculate your cost for the finished sugarhouse and compare that with a ready made shed. While it's bigger than you are talking, I bought a 14x28 Amish built shed with a hip roof about 16 months ago for $7280. It has extra runners under the floor and an 8W x 7.5'H double door plus 2 man doors 3x6'8". I drive my 4000# tractor with a cab in it and store it inside. If you were to get something similar you would still need to add a cupola and cut in the stack plus protect the floor by the evaporator, but it may prove handier.

[In da bush]

Good to hear from someone who’s tried it and moved on. I was actually thinking about T&G pine on the inside to help with moisture as well as help keeping it warmish. Thanks again!!



Been there, done that.

19527

Details:
- I had the box from a construction demolition project at the Shelburne Museum. It was part of a display called the Kakilns House (https://www.designboom.com/architecture/adam-kalkin-kalkin-house/)

- It had openings cut into the sides for mandoors (made barn door for it) and in the roof (perfect for steam outlet).

- Worked but very wet inside. and cooled off very quickly.

- It was a novel idea that was always meant to be temporary until we got our sugarhouse built. Now its a storage barn

- The box was free and it wouldn't have worth it to pay more than the improvements I made.

Ken

[jrm]

On my first shack I just had cement board behind the stove pipe. Still using the cement board. No insulation.The stove pipe is about 4 inches from the cement board and it does not seem to get warm at all, only where the pipe goes through but that has about a 1/2 gap around the pipe...no thimble.

Thanks for the tip.

[TapTapTap]

Good to hear from someone who’s tried it and moved on. I was actually thinking about T&G pine on the inside to help with moisture as well as help keeping it warmish. Thanks again!!

The T&G Pine would help but another problem is to push the steam out. I would recommend a hood system for anyone using a steel building. The flat ceiling was a real problem with lots of condensate.

On the positive side it made a great story and certainly fit the Vermont culture of making use of what you have. Here's a couple more looks:

1954419545

[In da bush]

I was actually thinking about putting a cupola to mimic a traditional sugar shack even more so.
The T&G Pine would help but another problem is to push the steam out. I would recommend a hood system for anyone using a steel building. The flat ceiling was a real problem with lots of condensate.

On the positive side it made a great story and certainly fit the Vermont culture of making use of what you have. Here's a couple more looks:

1954419545

[billschi]

I picked up three shipping containers for $1700 each to be a foundation for my garage. They are great to work with because you can weld tabs anywhere on them. All you need to do is weld tabs on it to build a gable roof over the top as well as implementing a cupola. If you have one go for it. I would think cutting windows and a door would also be a good idea.
19616

[In da bush]

That’s a STEAL of a deal,they really are just big Legos. Nice garage

[Trav]

I’m interested in this idea. Haven’t found much on the topic. Anyone have any other information, pictures, plans?