Fuel oil cooker

[wenron]

Making a new cooker out of a 250 gallon fuel oil barrel cooker an I am wondering whether or not to recess the pan or just set it on top of the stove ?

[OCHTO]

I recessed mine. Seemed to make sense at the time to keep the pan hotter and I'm glad I did. Where in WI are you?

[Russell Lampron]

Make it so that the bottom of the pan is exposed to the flames but not the sides. That will keep sap from burning onto the sides and darkening the syrup.

[wenron]

Cameron near Rice Lake

[OCHTO]

My pan sits on angle iron rails with gaskets. It never gets hot enough to burn but stays just a little bit warmer. Really helped before I had my shack and the cold winds blew. I had my 2 x 4 pan made at a local shop to fit the tank so its about 26" by 48". It only cost me $225. 8 years ago.

I worked one summer just east of Cameron. Beautiful country.