Frozen solid pans.

[Shirefisher]

So I left my first boil of sweet in the pans. And now its a solid block and below zero. I'm debating if I should warm to liquid, drain and wait for the next warm weather. Or since the damage is done and just wait...

[Russell Lampron]

As long as there's no damage to the pans that would need to be fixed before you can boil again just leave it there. The sweet won't spoil and you won't have to sweeten the pans again.

[maple flats]

How long did you boil? I've not experienced anything more than slush forming on the top if I boiled straight sap for 5 hrs, or 8% concentrate for 1.5 hrs.

[ecolbeck]

Seems unlikely that there would be damage? The ice can expand upward.

[Shirefisher]

22237 full disclosure this would be the Achilles heel of the system... I'm going to heat and drain as I worry some warming and freezing could damage this pipe.

[ecolbeck]

Yah, that looks tricky. When a deep freeze is forecast I slowly and carefully bring down the level in my pans so that connector pipes like that are not completely full. This would serve the dual purposes of giving ice a place to expand within the pipe and concentrating the remaining sap so that it won't freeze as solid.

[Shirefisher]

Thank you for that thought. That will be my intent in the future. Although here close to the border of Canada and in the hills I should be prepared for the 80 degree changes during the maple season.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

You could also add butterfly valves on each end of that pipe. Close them up when done, take the pipe of to drain and hook it back up empty. Open the valves and start boiling again next time.

[GeneralStark]

An easier option than valves would be plugs... You can use these to plug the outlet or inlet from the inside of the pan so that you can drain the valves and piping between pans. They're also very handy for cleaning pans.

https://webstore.cdlusa.net/en/silicon-plug

[Bruce L]

Should you choose to put a fire under the pans,make sure it’s a small one,ice won’t melt fast enough to keep liquid against your flues,etc

[Dave Puhl]

Are these flat pans or does it have flues? Flat pans not so bad but if it a flue pan get them thawed out slowly and drained before a small thaw and refreeze which might do damage..let us know what happens...

[Shirefisher]

I have flat pans, no flues. I made a small fire enough to make a slight boil and simmer that warmed it enough to concentrate again by half... So 30gallons of raw sap is now 3 and I moved the fire toward the pipe as it was the last to warm. It drained fine and no damage found. The wind is relentless and is supposed to stay into -20 zone overnight. I may finish my sap inside on the electric pan if the sap stays froze the next few days. My buckets are 1/4 to 1/2 full solid ice. What a crap start to the season.

[Shirefisher]

Maybe I'm going to boil today?!. I'm a little nervous as the weekend should bring weather enough to make syrup but then the long term forecast shows 60'-70' weather coming Tuesday on!?.