Looking at 2x6 for next year ????????

[cpmaple]

Wondering what a 2x6 with a raise flue and divded pan would handle for tap #? Going to up my taps to 250 and 300 next year but dont want to boil for 10 or 12 hours and get way behind on sap. Does anyone think 2x6 would be good or do i need to go bigger? But in the same since i want to be able to boil and not wait for a week in order to have enough sap to boil!!!!!!! Right now i have a 2x5 homemade and getting 18 to 20 gph on it and only had it a week and already someone wants to buy it. So my chance is now to upgrade i found a 2x6 already do i do it or stick with what i got. Thanks ahead of time for any info. Chad (cpmaple)

[Hop Kiln Road]

Chad - I think you might want to look one more step ahead. If ultimately, 5 years down the road you plan to level out at 400 or 500 taps, probably an evaporator larger than a 2X6 would make sense. If you plan to be over 500 taps, then a 2X6 now and an RO in a couple of years might work better. Don't make the mistake of not planning far enough ahead or you will end up wasting time and money up grading your capacity every year or two. Bruce

[PerryW]

Lets see:

A 2x6 will handle about 35 GPH.

300 taps will produce a run of about 300 gallons (more if vacuum).

That's an 8.5 hour boil plus startup & shutdown time.

I'd go bigger or consider an upgrade to an R.O. in addition to the 2x6.

[cpmaple]

thanks for the input i wont go over 400 since i only make it for fun and for the family but, I give alot away to elderly people in the area. I know its a waste not to get money for it but, the little money i made pays for the jars and time i have out in the woods. Thanks again for the input. chad (cpmaple)

[3rdgen.maple]

I had 400 on my 2x6 last year and wanted more so this year I got carried away and have 800. Good thing it is a slow running season. The deal is sap does not run everyday so yes you may get a 400 gallon sap run but you might not get any for a few days and then there is the other side you might get the 400 everyday for many days. Personally if you are tapping 400 and not selling any of it you are too generous. So think about your investment and ask yourself do I want to spend a few extra thousand to give it away or save some cash and get the 2x6 and just boil what you can keep up with. I had no problems with 400. 800 on the other hand, loving the amount of syrup I am producing hating the hours to do it.

[sapsucker78]

I had a 2x6 for a few years 4' flue pan and 2' syrup pan leader. Last year I took on just shy of 800 taps. It worked ok for the first 2 weeks then when things broke loose we were swamped!!! My wife and I ran that littlle rig 20 hours a day for two weeks straight. Don't know if we set any records or not but we ended up making 305 gallons of syrup that way last year! I might mention my wife MADE me bye a brand new CDL intensofire 30" x 10' for this season and now I found some more trees. I wonder what she is gona make me bye next year????

[maple flats]

Wow, that sounds like a great strategy. Next year I'll tap 1000, add vac, on my 3x8, get my wife to boil. Then maybe she'll buy me an RO. I like your method!
Dave

[tuckermaple]

I do like that idea. I've been trying to convince my wife to "make" me buy a new evaporator for last five years. I think next year i'll tap another couple hundred, sleep at the sap house and then maybe i'll have a new evaporator too!

[Bucket Head]

Sapsucker,

How many gallons does that evaporate per hour? I wish I had that!

Steve

[sapsucker78]

Not sure what one you are asking about? The 2x6 would do about 35 to 40 gal an hour on good days. The new 30"x10' intensofire is rated at 125 gal per hour? Hope I find out for sure any day now!!!!!!!