New Sugar House Build Questions

[reidharrington]

Hi All!

We have been making maple syrup in Niantic CT for a few years now. Long and slow process using a turkey fryer, large pans and a LOT of propane. My father in law recently passed and we have inherited his 2x3 oil fired evaporater, 3x3 hood and everything else that goes along with it. I will be building an 8x12 shed to house the evaporater and am looking for any advice before I jump into the build. Couple easy questions, I don’t need a cupola correct? Since I have a hood and stack I can just have the stack go through the roof and use a stack cover? Do I need any heat resistant material under the evaporater or is it fine to just mount it to the wood floor? I know you guys have much more experience than me, so please any hints, tips or recommendations are hugely appreciated. I will post pictures of the build and refurbishment of the evaporater as I get started.

Thanks!

[Russell Lampron]

You don't need a cupola but if you want your shed to look like a sugar house why not put one on? You should have something heat resistant under the evaporator. If you can, a concrete floor would be ideal. It will be heat resistant and it will be easier to keep the evaporator level.

[Pdiamond]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your father in law. You have inherited a family tradition which is a good thing to keep going. I agree with Russell on the cupola and concrete floor. Once you get the maple bug you may just outgrow the 2 x 3 evaporator. Just a few more trees start to add up quickly. And the end product tastes oh so good.

[Ed R]

I built up a pad in my wood floored barn to put my wood fired 2x6 on. Backer board base, 3 inches of concrete, another piece of backer board then another layer of concrete. The bottom layer of concrete I added some vermiculite to. The base of my fire box is full size fire brick, several layers deep and wide . Using oil, I doubt you would need this much floor protection. The added bonus of building up such a tall fire box is not having to bend over to feed the arch, which I hate, not as critical with oil.

[BCPP]

We have a LaPierre mini pro in a 8 x 14 shed with a wood floor but strongly recommend you put a steel plate under the front third of the evaporator and extend out by about 2'. No issues with heat radiated from evaporator as the fire brick do a great job. Issue is with stoking the fire as small embers often get knocked out onto the floor.

[reidharrington]

Slowly making progress...work full time and have 4 kids.

Also, the evaporator is oil fired so I don’t think that I will have to deal with heat or embers as much.

https://i.imgur.com/AQiEdw7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/83PkvXJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LB6yxaz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/URz5kuy.jpg

[reidharrington]

And a little more...

https://i.imgur.com/YCou7rN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VQ4Isy8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zmqp56B.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bRZD31a.jpg

[VT_K9]

Looking good. We switched to an oil unit from wood. Part of the reason was to reduce fire hazards. We also have a preheater with hoods. With the added space it sure is cool in the sugarhouse. Yours looks like it will be pretty cozy. Keep us updated.

[Pdiamond]

I like the picture with the little one in the back ground playing and your german short hair walking on the wall. She looks similar to my short hair.

[reidharrington]

On the final stretch now. Shed is built, cleaned up and painted the arch, burner has been serviced and the steam hood went through the roof tonight, more pics to come!

https://i.imgur.com/1FJI2aD.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LtGDm6J.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Tc4I1op.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OrAqLgo.jpg

[reidharrington]

https://i.imgur.com/gQHGyzG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nbfGMqe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vhOq9Mk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0jdJZiR.jpg

[reidharrington]

https://i.imgur.com/pyri7me.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wS9O0UA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TxYQkGm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zXkMZpD.jpg

[reidharrington]

https://i.imgur.com/0fNf0Fc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Fe0nBH5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/P4O2h2p.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CU8a1aI.jpg

[reidharrington]

https://i.imgur.com/9rTQDA9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fCgMHCo.jpg

[Pdiamond]

Pretty impressive Reid. I saw one of your little guys on the ladder giving you a hand, great smile on his face. Keep up the good work. Season will be here before we know it.
Pat

[Cjadamec]

Nice looking shack you got there. You should be all set for this season if we ever get some cold weather to settle in. Nice to see another hobby producer down on the southeast coast in CT.

[maple flats]

Did you decide on a cupola for show? It adds to the look of a sugarhouse, you could even make one that is non functional, no opening doors (vents), then vent the steam out a steam pipe in the peak of the cupola.

[johnallin]

Did you decide on a cupola for show? It adds to the look of a sugarhouse, you could even make one that is non functional, no opening doors (vents), then vent the steam out a steam pipe in the peak of the cupola.

I would recommend a cupola - not for show - but to keep that shack clear of steam so you can see what you're doing.

Either that or a steam stack and small hood. That could get dangerous in there with steam build-up. At times, you may not be able to see the hand in front of your face...

[Sugarmaker]

reid,
That should boil good and keep you toasty and dry too. The steam stack will get a lot of the steam out too.
Keep boiling.
Regards,
Chris