Sapling evaporater vs half pint vs mason cw hobby evaporater.

[Shirefisher]

I have plenty of garage space to put in a "real rig" but I'm not sure with only 25 taps close to the house if I really need anything more than the barrel rig by Vermont evaporater... I figure it saves me having to plumb it in on a permanent chimney and I can just set it up in front of my garage and only use it in fair weather and easily store it out of the way. Or the "real" hobby arches from leader and mason might last longer and would work great but I figure I'd want to make either one I'd choose as permanent in my garage. I kind of like the simplicity of the barrel rig. Anyway it will be some months before boiling again. It does feel funny as I am surrounded by friends and neighbors tapping and boiling from 1800 to 17,000 taps. My buddy processed 7000 gallons today in 2 hours just today making some dark syrup but a bunch none the less. And with that in mind I'm going the opposite direction with my interest In a decidedly low fi/analog system. But if I did have a system now I checked and the birch are still running....

[SEB]

My Half-Pint is attached to a hand truck (the type you use at big box home improvement stores). I store it in my garage and roll it out when I use it. I love this arrangement — it suits my hobby level sugaring very well!

[Shirefisher]

20024 sweet would love to see a pic of your set up. So you wheel out the half pint in and outside. That's sounds like a good deal hmmmm. I'm pondering sugarin rigs as I munch on salad drizzled with fresh maple/birch syrup vinaigrette dressing...

[phil-t]

25 taps and a half-pint is where I am. I did 60 taps last year and cut back - didn't like the 10-12 hour days of boiling. Did a barrel evaporator and didn'y like it all.

[Mead Maple]

25 taps and a half-pint is where I am. I did 60 taps last year and cut back - didn't like the 10-12 hour days of boiling. Did a barrel evaporator and didn'y like it all.

Phil, looking at your signature, the 3/16 tubing was a huge success for you


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[Shirefisher]

This coming weekend is the St. Albans Maple Fest and to my luck 4 major Maple businesses have open houses with demos for gear. So I'm going to geek out at Leader Evaporator, CDL, Dominion and Grim and Lapiere. I can't wait. I guess this is the benefit of living in the midst of "Big Maple"... 25 taps close to the house and 150 taps on my property possible. I'm curious to see the possibilities...

[Shirefisher]

It does seem from what i can see there are some folks that transition quite quickly from barrel to upgrade. But I'm sure for some folks that is all they will ever need.

[Shirefisher]

Well after touring a bunch of Maple companies and their various hobby rigs during the St. Albans Maple Fest... I think my heart is in the Half Pint. I like the idea it's got potential to grow with the extension. I'm guessing I'd go with the supreme pan. I'm building a 12.5 x 8 sugarhouse to house a small unit and this one seems best to fit my needs.

[jrgagne99]

The new half pint looks very cool, and looks like it will be more wood-efficient. Are people running half-pints able to pull syrup right off the evaporator, or are you finishing it inside in the kitchen?

[phil-t]

I take finished syrup dirrectly off my half-pint. No problem, at all.

[Shirefisher]

Now after lots of reading and thinking I'm leaning towards the Mason 2x4 xl. It seems to be the best for my interest of 30-50 taps initially and maybe moving up in the future... I like the price, the pre warmer on the arch, the ability to switch draw off after a few boils, the float available for the pre warmer. I like it all.

[maple flats]

You won't go wrong getting a Mason 2x4XL. Great rig from every report I've seen.

[phil-t]

Good choice on the Mason. I don't think you will regret it. I've been looking really hard at one.

[UB29]

Just finished my first season with a new Mason 2x4 XL; and was extremely pleased. Handled 80 taps no problem, yielding 24 gals. syrup. And Bill Mason is a great guy to deal with. When I went to pick up the rig at his shop, I casually mentioned that I was boiling on uneven ground. Before you could blink, the rig was upside down and Bill was welding on 3/4" leveling nuts ....all at no additional charge. Pleasure to do business with people like Bill; in this world filled with crappy customer service.
A+ on the 2x4 XL; highly recommend.

[Shirefisher]

So I finally found what I was looking for down the road 2 miles. It was never used and came with most everything I needed. I was going to get a Mason, and now I have a new never used old one!?.20222