Evaporator pan problems.

[twandawg85]

So I got an evaporator pan in exchange for some work I did for someone. Gave them plans and they found someone to make it. Well the guy who made it did not follow my plans. And I ended up with this.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200312/4e8ed579f7e3f8b068db2199a5ba5406.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200312/a5ece0d1e8b26b66493b4ad6f1da2092.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200312/fedcfe0332e02608eb6fff3c49325175.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200312/e7b7915007f172b76add87689b9b769a.jpg

I made the file cabinet arch.

For this season I'm using it as it's my best option.. but it leaks between the channels so much it's basically a flat pan. I'm going to get equipment to weld stainless and fix it. But I'm not sure about something.

Are the huge openings from channel to channel a problem? I've never seen them that big (they def were not that big in my plans). I plan on taking the separators out(they are just tacked on) and removing the angle at the bottom (that he welded on instead of just welding straight to the pan). And rewelding it all back it to make sealed chambers... But I don't know if I need to make the opening that is supposed to be there smaller.

It seems to me that if I made a ridiculous pan 5 inches wide and 20 foot long, it would still work as a continuous flow if it was level. If that's the case I don't think the opening being that large matters.... But if that's not the case and each chamber mixes evenly within the chamber I'll need to reduce the size... This is my first year doing anything more than boiling in a turkey fryer... So I don't know which way it works.

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[Brian]

That looks normal. Once you get a little niter in there it will seal some. As it boils, the density gets heavier and it will keep them separated anyways. P.S. you can file your bills while you are sitting there!!!

[Big_Eddy]

So I got an evaporator pan in exchange for some work I did for someone. Gave them plans and they found someone to make it. Well the guy who made it did not follow my plans. And I ended up with this.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200312/4e8ed579f7e3f8b068db2199a5ba5406.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200312/a5ece0d1e8b26b66493b4ad6f1da2092.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200312/fedcfe0332e02608eb6fff3c49325175.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200312/e7b7915007f172b76add87689b9b769a.jpg

I made the file cabinet arch.

For this season I'm using it as it's my best option.. but it leaks between the channels so much it's basically a flat pan. I'm going to get equipment to weld stainless and fix it. But I'm not sure about something.

Are the huge openings from channel to channel a problem? I've never seen them that big (they def were not that big in my plans). I plan on taking the separators out(they are just tacked on) and removing the angle at the bottom (that he welded on instead of just welding straight to the pan). And rewelding it all back it to make sealed chambers... But I don't know if I need to make the opening that is supposed to be there smaller.

It seems to me that if I made a ridiculous pan 5 inches wide and 20 foot long, it would still work as a continuous flow if it was level. If that's the case I don't think the opening being that large matters.... But if that's not the case and each chamber mixes evenly within the chamber I'll need to reduce the size... This is my first year doing anything more than boiling in a turkey fryer... So I don't know which way it works.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Other than the fact that the ends of the dividers are not sealed, that will work great. Even with the sides not sealed, it will work much better than any flat pan, as long as you have a method to keep adding sap slowly at the back.
When you initially fill it with sap, it will flow under and around all your dividers and make you think they are doing nothing. But once you start boiling, the sap will take the path of least resistance and flow along the channels. Nitre and sugar will seal any gaps under the dividers. Don't be too hasty - boil on it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
BTW - The angle bottom and tacks are typical.

If you are planning to weld on it yourself in the future - highly recommend you get some scraps and practice practice practice. It will be a lot harder than you think. Don't wreck a functional pan trying to make improvements.

[maple flats]

Welding light gauge SS is not for beginners, besides, after you have boiled on it there will be enough sugar built up under the edge that welding will be even harder. I suggest you leave it as is.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

That doesn’t look too bad. We had a guy weld our 2x2 syrup pan this year to go from 2 large channels to 4 small channels. Our weld looks similar, maybe a little smaller tack. Our dividers are cut on an angle similar to yours. The only divider I was concerned about being sealed tight was the the one next to the last channel. I was concerned about any mixing during draw off so I had him seal up the divider on one side. The pan has worked great, smaller draws and making lighter syrup.

[twandawg85]

So looks like if I get the ends sealed it will be fine. The ends not being sealed is my biggest complaint.

I know the angle and tack thing is typical. But the angle isn't bent in. He took a separate strip of SS and welded the entire bottom seam of the separator to the strip to make an angle.... THEN tacked it in. Since he was welding the entire bottom seam anyway... He should have welded the separator to the pan instead of the strip. It would have been less welding for him, and been a better product in the end.

Either way.. I'm boiling WAY faster than I was last year... Even with all the trouble I had starting this year. I only had wet wood... Kept losing boil every time I added wood (and I was adding it as soon as there was space for more wood). I know the moisture in the wood was just killing any chance of a good burn. Finally got a hair dryer to blow in the bottom door. And even with all that. In 7 hours I boiled what took me 3 days last year. Adding a fan now... And have some dryer wood.(still not dry). So tomorrow I'll try again and see what I can do. I have close to 200 gallons of sap to get through. Hopefully I can get through it before it goes bad!.

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[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Yes, I would probably seal the dividers up the pan but you only need to go up a 2-3 inches. But really it’s just the last one that may make a difference. I guess I don’t know why he did that piece on the bottom either, maybe trying to seal it better. Good luck, better get boiling!