2x3 evaporator build

[Steviep]

I see a lot of 2x4 oil tank evaporator builds on here but has anyone made one for 2x3 or smaller out of an old oil tank.

[Pdiamond]

My very first one was that size and had a shelf on the back side where I put metal coffee cans of sap to pre heat.

[Agent914]

yes I did I turned the oil on its end flat side down) and cut it in 1/2. Did some simple custom metal fabrication and covered it with a 3'x3' 8" deep pan that has a drain spout. It is brick lined, has solid wheels for move with garden tractor and everything tucks inside on it when not being used. I use a car jack to level for boiling and then jack it up a bit to drain it to finish off in house. The pan over hangs a little. The fire door is curved and there are some small pre-warming stations areas. I had thick metal pipes for air flow but they did not work so good so I run it wide open most of the time. I am sure I Posted picture of the build. I added some side foam to insulation to keep heat in pan. It averaged 9-12 gallons/hr

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[Pdiamond]

You are using some pretty good size blocks of wood in your arch that you made. I am guessing you don't have to add wood very often.

[Agent914]

Having a 40+ gallon pan which can run basically un-attended for a period of time (2-3 max 4 hrs) keeps this a viable family fun hobby for 40 taps and allows me to sleep a little between refills & reloads.

Note - the longer the boil the risker it get so the shorter the away time gets or I will loose a batch.