First time evaporator use cleaning

[Mister maple]

I just had a new Thor evaporator delivered today. My question is what do you recommend to do for the first time for cleaning it out to be ready to add sap. I know not to use dish soap. Is boing water enough ?

[Someclown]

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?35949-brand-new-pan-cleaning

[VT_K9]

I like to use vinegar for washing. If its the first time I would not hesitate to use vinegar. I don't know what size evaporator you have. When we had a 2x6 I would use 1-1 1/2 gallons in the back pan and .5-1 gallon in the front. It doesn't take a lot to work for light cleaning.

During the year cleaning I'd use 3 gallons in the rear and 2 in the front. If I were cleaning often (like when we ran it with 425 taps) I would re-use the back pan vinegar.

I'd start my end of season cleaning with mid season re-use in the back pan and 2 gallons in the front. Then I would rinse that and do another cleaning starting light and adding vinegar if needed. I would always bring it to a moderate boil.

After each cleaning I would fill with water and boil hard and hose it out. If you don't have running water take a look at a sprayer by Worx. It is a cordless power sprayer. It works great with a 5 gallon bucket of water. I use it every time I drain the sap tanks in the woods.

Mike

[Aaron Stack]

Nice! I didn't know cordless power sprayers were a thing. Going to have to try it.

[Super Sapper]

Dewalt just came out with one also.

[Bruce L]

Bruce Gillilan told me when we got our new pans,then the steam away,to add baking soda to the water,then flush it out

[maple flats]

When I got any new or used SS equipment I used first hot water, then baking soda, followed by lots of hot water rinse. On used with any niter on the bottom, I used white vinegar, then the baking soda.

[Mister maple]

It is a small 18x24 dropped flue pan and a 18x12 flat syrup pan. So would I put water in and add baking soda or vinegar to it and then boil and then rinse ? Which is better or should I do both and then in what order. What ratio ?

[Pdiamond]

You can't go wrong with a water and white vinegar mix. just make sure to rinse well with plain water.

[Mister maple]

So would I use a 1to 1 ratio and then do I boil the mixture.