Evaporator plugs

[3rdgen.maple]

Did a cleanup today and wanted to drain the sweet off the syrup pan then drain the flue pan without mixing them. Covered the connection between the two pans with a peice off rubber pressed against it with my hand. I know I seen somerwhere a tapered plug on a handle that you put into the hole to stop the two from mixing. Where oh where can one find them? I looked in every catolog I have and even on the internet with no luck.

[Grade "A"]

My 2x6 has a gate valve between the 2 pans so you can shut off the flow, but mine is a raised flue so maybe that why. Leader sells plugs but I not shure if the size will be rite.

[3rdgen.maple]

I guess I must be an idiot because I have checked leaders catolog and there web site and I do not see any plugs. There is no gate valve between my pans which is okay for me cause I like to take the syrup pan off so I can tilt it to drain the rinse water out. Maybe I will just make a wood plug in the shop for now.

[wcproctor]

Call Bascom,s in Nh thay have It all 603-835-6361 or www.bascommaple.com

[3rdgen.maple]

I did check with Bascom's with no such luck

[michiganfarmer]

the plugs with handles that I have are stainless, and dont seal very well at all. Id like to find some rubber ones.

[forester1]

My Waterloo/small has that kind. Maybe LaPierre has them.

[mtbguy]

Atkinson maple syrup supplies in Barrie On. does carry the plugs on handles, I think the plugs are brass and the handles are stainless, I did see a couple of sizes. They're in the 50-60 dollar range which made me go to stainless ball valves.

[3rdgen.maple]

Thanks guys Glad you said the stainless ones don't seal well it was what I was looking for I will check with atkinson's tomorrow. Has anyone used the brass ones if so how well do they seal?

[StewieSugar]

For a quick/temporary stop, would a boat plug work? - the kind that has a rubber seal and a mechanical action.

[ibby458]

Thanks guys Glad you said the stainless ones don't seal well it was what I was looking for I will check with atkinson's tomorrow. Has anyone used the brass ones if so how well do they seal?

I've used the brass ones on a 2x6 leader, and they seal well. I've got 2 that I could part with. One has the stainless handle, the other is just the brass plug. I'd sell them for $60 for the pair. That's what I paid for just one of them.

[Grade "A"]

In leaders 2009 book they are on page 13, there are no pictures of them but they are listed at the top right side of the page. Not all the plugs listed give there size so it my not be much help.

[3rdgen.maple]

Ibby what size are they I may be interested need to fit 1 1/4 pipe
Grade A thanks Don't know how I missed that one. Pictures are worth a thousand words I guess. But they are too big.

[tapper]

3rdgen.maple,
Call Leader. They are all very helpful and may be able to fabricate just the size you need. I have also seen these plugs on the shelf at local dealers.
Stainless plugs came with my evaporator and they can be a pain. For the most part they work well but occasionally fall out.

[ibby458]

Ibby what size are they I may be interested need to fit 1 1/4 pipe
Grade A thanks Don't know how I missed that one. Pictures are worth a thousand words I guess. But they are too big.

I think these will work for you. I'll try to dig them up today and measure them, and post it tomorrow morning.

[markct]

i was at a friends today and noticed that his evaporator plugs were stainless with a groove for an oring to fit around them. seemed like a good idea and i think i will machine some like that for my pans since the brass plug leaks enough to make a nice mess everytime i use it to take off the float box and front pan

[3rdgen.maple]

thanks ibby let me know how u make out.

[ibby458]

thanks ibby let me know how u make out.

I found them and measured them. They're Leader Tapered brass plugs. The big end measures just under 2-1/8"; The small end measures just over 1-7/8".

If anyone wants both of them for $60, I'll ship for free. Individually is $30 plus shipping.

Sorry - no camera, and no photo's.

[3rdgen.maple]

to big for me ibby but thanks for taking the time and looking.

[maplesyrupstove]

D&G plug with o-ring for my sportsman evaporator. Darrell