A different pan design?

[HODGE]

I'm thinking about building a new evaporator ( about 3x10). On the "flue pan" I thought I would bend V's across the bottom instead of leaving it flat. It would have about 68" of surface instead of 36". Has anyone seen this or had any experience with anything like this?

[tessiersfarm]

I just did a flued pan that had 3/4" flats top and bottom with taper to the sides of the flues. ended up about 4" deep and 2 1/4" wide at the top of the flue. I got 78" of pan in a 27" wide arch. Something along these lines.

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I have not tried to boil with it yet but I will let you know as soon as I do.

I may try a dry run so to speak this weekend (water instead of sap).

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Hodge,
You just hit on the idea that was the beginning of the modern flue pan. First ones were sort of ripple bottom pans just like you are thinking.

[HODGE]

I would guess you would get alot better boil than a flat pan but not what you would get out of a flue pan.

[WF MASON]

Before I figured out how to make a flue , I made a couple dropped with the 'V'
flue, it boils alot better than a flat pan.

[Jeff E]

The front pan of my old 'Vermont' style Leader had 'Flues' like that, it did boil great, way better that a flat pan.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

The flues on a Leader drop flue are a V at the bottom of the flue.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Water and Sap are not that smart it will work just fine. I think its a welding issue. Hard to weld in a deep grove.

[maple flats]

Also consider how to make a sapside flue brush for cleaning to come close to the flue profile. You might need to "shave" a conventional brush to fit.