Syrup pan valve

[Mud Island Maple]

Just posting to tell about an accessory that I have added to my Lapierre hobby evaporator (19” x 48”). I had Leader make a sliding baffle that shuts off the opening from the middle compartment to the front syrup draw-off compartment. This has made a very noticeable difference in preventing the density drop-off when opening the firing door to reload wood. By shutting the opening between the two compartments before opening the wood loading door there is little to no mixing. I have found that the temperature drop is 1 degree or less in the front compartment now compared to what used to be up to 4 or 5 degrees. Makes for shorter times between draw offs and lighter grade syrup.
I usually leave the sliding baffle in the closed position for a while after firing and have found that I never have to completely reopen it. Just be sure to open it when syruping off!
Leader can make these sliding baffles if the compartment separators have a diamond shaped top edge.

[ecolbeck]

This sounds great. Can you supply some pictures? Who did you contact at Leader to have these made?

[Mud Island Maple]

23122231232312223123Found his name I think - Fred Petig. I took my pan to them so they could get accurate measurements. Just be forewarned- this turned out to be way more expensive than the original quote which was about $70.00. Final quote was about double that. Fred was very apologetic but said between labor and cost of stainless steel the price was increased accordingly. I’m still glad I have it and the cost is a distant memory!
Not sure how to post pictures but have tried - you may get extras!