Poor Mans Sugar Shack

[Dan W]

This is how I had to boil this year. Maybe I will have a real one for next year.

[peacemaker]

nice setup

[Haynes Forest Products]

You need to get someone to sew a cupla on that rig. I started out with a fish kettle in the gravel driveway with out the canopy so your on your way.

[maple flats]

Most of us have been there. Mine lasted 1 season, by season 2 I had a 16x24 sugarhouse, bare bones, makeshift floor.
Just keep plugging away as you can, if you want more it will eventually come to be.

[VT maple maker]

Last year was my first year on a homemade barrel arch rig. I didnt even have any kind of cover. We boiled in the snow, rain, and wind and loved it all just the same. It seems sugar makers are a very keen bunch and usually figure out something clever to work with.

Kyle

[Haynes Forest Products]

Did you just imply we dont know when to come out of the rain.....my mama was right.

[WI Sugarpop]

My son and I have done it outside for 10+ years. First couple of years was with a 20 gal. fish pot in the garden. Crude!!!! My wife is all for building a nice sugar shack/greenhouse. Hopefully in the next year or so.

[WI Sugarpop]

Haynes Forest Products
We get up to Door County quite a bit. I'll have to stop in and see you setup.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Sugarpop
Always welcome we are up there for the the week of the 4th and then during sugaring season. We dont have internet connection so its all by phone. We used to get close to Plymoth when I traveled from Chicago next time out I think we will be coming from Janesville. My no. is 303 810 5501 Yes thats a Colorado number........its a long story. Ill be picking up equipment from a friend thats a bigger junker than me. If you tell you need something he will call back asking how many do I need. Whats nice is he has a metal fab shop full of laser cutters shears and brakes. Give a call Chuck

[tessiersfarm]

I use a 3 sided run in shed that is used by my beef cattle all summer. I just pressure wash it out and move in the evaporator. The open side is south west and it blocks most of the wind. I can't justify a building dedicated to 1 month per year.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Tessiersfarm

OH YES YOU CAN Think of all the time you spend moving that evaporator around and plus you can free up other storage by putting it in its own shed. Just make sure that the wife helps you move it back and forth and give her the heavey end.

[mapleman3]

not only that but canning in there at various times of the year and sales alsways at hand ... just open er up when a customer comes(just keep it nice n clean if they do come)

[220 maple]

Dan W.
Make sure you frame that picture to hang in your sugar shack. We have some of are first season way back in 1998, home made kettle stove. It took us almost 24 hours to boil 250 gallons of sap. Now we avg. close to 150 gallons a hour in are three pan vermont evaporator.

Mark 220 Maple

[tessiersfarm]

I package the whole shebang up onto 2 pallets and store it in an equipment shed I have. Moves pretty easy with the tractor. I do my canning in the house. We have a system that works pretty well. At 20 gallons per year produced how long will it take to pay for a building? Too Many for this old dog.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Once again your using logic and that will get you in trouble every time. Do you have a snowmobile? does it add to the bottom line? BOAT? Sell it all and get that sap shack that you can be proud of. Three sided bldings are for horses.

[Sugarmaker]

No one told me we had to cover our expenses in this hobby! That changes everything:)

Chris

[Father & Son]

I have my boat for sale! Is anyone interested?

Jim

[maple flats]

I'd rather maple it. Haven't you heard about the 2 best days for a boat. The day you get it and the day you sell it!! Been there, done that.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Or the day you turn it into a man made reef and dive on it and look at all the cool fish

[brookledge]

Don't sell it. keep it for a sap tank, as long as the plug holds you are good to go.
Keith

[Brian Ryther]

I sold my boat and bought another 1000' of main line. money well spent.