In WAY over my head :) Lapierre 2x6 evaporator

[Gr8dad]

I just purchased a used Lapierre 2x6 evaporator.

It look like it is in mint condition.

I followed photographs and set up it went together without a hitch.... and realized I have no idea how to run it.

I went on elapierre.com to look at their videos but they don't have any on the simple operation of this 2x6 evaporator.

Can anyone link me to any videos? (Trust me i have been watching everything i can find)

How do i operate float boxes? (2 on this evap)

How do I connect sap to float box?

Feel foolish.

Thanks in advance.

[ecolbeck]

Congrats on your new rig!!!

Connecting sap to float box is usually a bit of plumbing magic that can only be accomplished through at least 5 trips to the hardware store. The options are limitless so a lot depends on where the sap is coming from. Some more specifics may allow us to help you with details.

Running an evaporator optimally and safely is not a trivial matter. I believe Smokey Lake has published a series of YouTube videos on how to run their basic evaporators, much of which would be transferable to your rig. That would make a good starting place and folks here will fill in the rest.

I am located in western mass. Where are you located?

[SeanD]

Yup, you are way over your head. I should probably help you out and take that rig off your hands. I'd be doing you a favor, really. Lots of headaches for you ahead. I can be there tomorrow morning...

Sounds like it's raised flu with two floats. I'm on a drop flu, so I can only talk you through the first float. It's not as complex as it seems at first. You'll get all the help you need here. Got pictures?

Offer stands if this ends up being too much for you.;)

[johnallin]

Here's a thread with some good info and folks using the same rig.

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?35555-2x6-lapierre-with-raise-flue-pan

[BAP]

If you are willing to post what town you are in like ecolbeck suggested, someone on here might be close to you and willing to stop by and give you some first hand advice. Also, you may find someone close to you that you can stop in and look how they have theirs setup.

[Biz]

The Lapierre dealer for Mass is Paul Sena at Hickory Hill Farm, Worthington, you might try him. Good guy, I met him last summer.
hickoryhillmaple@gmail.com
413-238-5514

Dave

[DrTimPerkins]

Going to visit another producer with about the same size/style of rig would be very useful.

You could read the part of Chapter 7 of the 2nd edition of the North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual (starting on page 142) about "Operating the Evaporator." https://mapleresearch.org/pub/mproducersmanual/

[O3C]

You can learn a lot from youtube videos, It wont make a lot of sense until you watch somebody boil in person. It's early should be guys getting ready and maybe doing a test boil with water, another good idea. Rule number one: make sure you are having fun. 2 : make some syrup . 3 : DONT BURN THE PANS !! Run the pans deep , dont try to mimic a seasoned syrup maker, it will still make syrup just a little slower. Ron

[OrangeAgain]

Going to visit another producer with about the same size/style of rig would be very useful.

You could read the part of Chapter 7 of the 2nd edition of the North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual (starting on page 142) about "Operating the Evaporator." https://mapleresearch.org/pub/mproducersmanual/

What's the latest publication year for the printed version?

Will the manual be updated in the future?

[DrTimPerkins]

The 2nd edition was published in 2006. The 3rd edition will be out this summer.

[maple flats]

A few pointers on raised flue. To add sap, have a source, (head tank) at least 1-18" above the top of the flues. Have a way to add to the head tank. I always set mine up with a T in the supply line, with a small diameter vinyl tube extending up a few feet, just outside the head tank to be able to see the sap depth in the head tank.
When you first start I suggest you set the float so you have 2" depth above the flues. Next connect the syrup pan (the flat pan) float to 1.5-2" depth. Light a fire after putting good potable water in the pans and have enough water in your head tank to maintain those depths as you test boil. For firewood, it needs to be dry and split at wrist size. You want the wood split small to create the hottest fire you can get. More info to follow.

[maple flats]

Once the fire is going hard, add more wood every 7 minutes by a timer. Don't wait for the fire to burn down, rather feed enough to get the firebox up to about 2/3 full. Add quickly but be careful not to dent the bottom of the syrup or the flue pan. The longer the door(s) are open the more temperature you lose in the pans.
Of course, I should have started with your evaporator set up. Have it set level side to side and end to end. Insulate with a 1" ceramic insulation around the fire box and have the unit set on a non combustible floor. Run the smoke stack up as vertically as possible, do not use an elbow to turn and exit thru a wall. Protect all wood that the stack is within 3' of. A layer of ceramic 1" will protect it, or layers of tin. To use tin, each layer must be spaced out on non combustible spacers 1", each such layer cuts the clearance needed in half, thus 1 layer =18", 2 layers=9" and 3 gives 4.5". In the firebox, add fire bricks, they can be laid dry or use refractory cement to mortar them in place.
more to follow

[maple flats]

Use a hydrometer to determine when the syrup is ready, you want the boiling temperature to be 7.1 degrees above the temperature of rapidly boiling water at your location on that day. Themp needed will change as the barometric pressure fluctuates. The faster the pans boil, the lighter grade the syrup will be.
If you have questions still, just ask, no question is dumb except the one you have but don't ask!
Keep it fun. By the way, an o$h^* bucket of sap or water is good to have on hand, just in case. Make sure the valves to add sap and the valve between the flue pan and syrup pan are open.
Once you get comfortable running the evaporator, gradually reduce the starting depths I gave you. After a year or 2 you will likely get to the point that the flues are no more than1//2-1" covered, and the syrup pan is between 1-1.25" deep. That will take time to get there.
Good luck, have fun.

[maple flats]

Never leave the boiling evaporator alone for more than 3-5 minutes, and even 2 minutes is better yet. Have a good fire extinguisher close by.

[eustis22]

Rule #1: Never leave the boil

Rule #2: See Rule #1.

[DrTimPerkins]

Have a good fire extinguisher close by.

And an "oops" bucket of water sap close at hand BEFORE you start the evaporator.

[VTnewguy]

I would do a couple of test boils with water to help you get comfortable with your new rig.

[nhdog]

I also have a small Lapierre. I'm sure you are going to have some fun. Folks have given ideas and suggestions. In addition, to read in your spare time, go to

https://leaderevaporator.com/content/WSE-Complete-2018.pdf
and read through their manual.
It is specifically for the Leader 2x6 evaporator and is over 37 pages of exactly what you are looking for for your evaporator.

In addition, you might want to look at this document from Springdale Maple Farms

https://www.springdalemaple.ca/uploads/files/manuals/ClassicEvaporatorsBrickingInstructionsForSmallEvap oratorsSpringdaleRevised.doc

If your evaporator is already bricked, then start on page 7 of that document.
Hope this helps.

[TapTapTap]

Connecting sap to float box is usually a bit of plumbing magic that can only be accomplished through at least 5 trips to the hardware store.

In sugaring, as I've gotten more experienced I've gradually been able to knock my trips to the hardware store down. Although not because I'm smarter but because i have a greater supply of fittings that didn't work.
Ken

[ennismaple]

In sugaring, as I've gotten more experienced I've gradually been able to knock my trips to the hardware store down. Although not because I'm smarter but because i have a greater supply of fittings that didn't work.
Ken And when you go to the hardware store to buy that $1 part that is keeping you from boiling - by two!

[DrTimPerkins]

And when you go to the hardware store to buy that $1 part that is keeping you from boiling - by two!

You know it gets bad when you have more plastic, stainless, copper, and other fittings than the 2 closest hardware stores. :o

[johnallin]

And I thought I was the only one
.
I keep all of my "surplus" fittings in clear sap bags...makes it easy to see what's in there

[BCPP]

We have the same evaporator. To add to what others have said, you're going to need a head tank to feed the first float box. Make sure it's big enough to hold enough sap to allow you to run for however long you want to sit there! That evap will use about 15gal per hour so you'll need at least 50gal to start, we usually wait until we have 100. You'll want to tap at least 50 trees to keep you supplied with sap but 100-150 is better.As we're an organization with volunteers I've put together a document on setup and operation. You're welcome to a copy if you want

[TheNamelessPoet]

And an "oops" bucket of water sap close at hand BEFORE you start the evaporator.

THIS X 1000. Saved me once before when I got talking to my neighbor. Adding sap will not ruin anything, you are boiling it anyway!