insulation for firebox

[woodsmith]

I have a homemade barrel evaporator that works very well but loses alot of heat, so much that I can't stand close to the sides while boiling. Where can I get insulation blankets to insulate the firebox walls and door? Is it possible to use fiberglass house insulation? My plan is to fabricate a second inner wall from another steel drum to protect the insulation from damage by the firewood.

[3rdgen.maple]

Bascom's has arch board pretty cheap as well as the other suppliers. Stuff is easy to work with but with any insulation you are gonna want some firebrick covering it cause of the damage from wood tearing it up.

[valleyman]

I'm in the process of building a block evaporator and I'm currently working on the front. I got a 1/4" steel plate with a Vogelzang 150 door. I just ordered some ceramic insulating blanket from a pottery/kiln supplier. I'm going to line the front with that. Hopefully it will prevent the front from warping too much. I think it was $3- $4 a square foot.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Woodsmith go on Ebay they have alot of small leftover amounts selling cheap

[Fred Henderson]

Any metal that is in contact with the fire will burn out quickly. If there is some way to put blanket insulation in and cover it with fire brick and not compress the blanket is the way to do it. The bricks can withstand the intense heat and the blanket will keep it from comimg thru.

[sugar man]

woodsmith,I just got ceramic blanket from a guy on ebay.Fire brick from local mason supply store.I installed the blanket inside the barrel then installed the brick over it.I installed the brick last year made a huge difference.Im hopping the blanket will make a big difference.

[concord maple]

Going into my second year of sugaring and I'll be looking for some ceramic blanket when my evaporator arrives. What temperature rating should I look for 2300 or 2600 degrees. Also, what thickness as well. I am planning on bricking over top the blanket as well.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

2300 degree blanket is fine if you are bricking over top of it and should last indefinitely. 8lb density will perform better and stay in place better as it is much denser.

[mtnmeadowmplfarm]

When I fabricated my 3x10 arch 3 years ago, I insulated with arch board, followed by full fire bricks. After 45 min. at a roaring boil I can still hold my hand on the outside of the fire pit.

[3rdgen.maple]

+1 for the arch board I love the stuff, easy to work with and does not fall out of place.

[red maples]

just finished with the insulation on mine. Arch board is easy to work with except when your sweating then it sticks to you and you itch really good for a bit. and if you breath in the dust you cough a bit but other than that it cuts easy with an adjustable blade box knife. and its very firm so you can cut it to the perfect size no glue to tack it in place. and not very expensive!!! I give it 2 thumbs up!!!:D

[maple flats]

Here's one source. They have 2" thick at about $5.50/sf http://www.mcgillswarehouse.com/ProductList.aspx?GroupID=10914 There are other sources as well. Ebay is often a good place to look too.

[concord maple]

What is easier to work with and which stays in place better until the brick are installed, the board or the blanket?

[3rdgen.maple]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh let me think;) archboard archboard archboard oh yea did I mention archboard.

[woodsmith]

thanks everyone, very helpful

[Bucket Head]

What temperature ratings do the 1" and 2" archboard have? Are they similar to the blanket insulation? My blanket is 1", 8lb. density, 2600deg.

Thanks,
Steve

[3rdgen.maple]

BH don't quote me on this but I believe it is 2300 degrees for an inch.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I think the 1" archboard is 1900 degrees.

[woodsmith]

I'm not having any luck finding arch board, can someone post a link? thanks

[valleyman]

hi woodsmith.
Bascom Maple supplies has some.

http://www.bascommaple.com/store/index.php?cat=2

[KenWP]

I sort of found arch board up here. Just hard to wrangle thru the french to get to it. I think it would work great for my idea to build a arch. The one problem I did have if figureing out the proper name for the stuff. It's called fibreglass board insulation

[SilverLeaf]

Is the lower temperature rating for the archboard (vs the higher temp rating for blanket) a problem? Or is it the kind of thing where as long as you have brick insulating it it never quite gets to 1900 degrees anyways...?

[woodsmith]

I'm not having any luck finding arch board, where can I find it?

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

I got mine last year through my local D&G dealer.

[3rdgen.maple]

Bascom's carries it as well