30"x8' evaporator how many taps will it support????

[cpmaple]

Hello could anyone help me out here? I have a chance for a 30"x8' evaporator for 600 with homemade arch or a 3x12 for 1700 what i'm wondering is what is the better way to go. I should be able to get out around 600 to 1000 taps this coming year just wondering what is the better way to go down the road i'm looking at a ro and steamaway not this year but maybe two years from now. So does anyone know how many taps a 30"x8' will support? and i've read alot on the 3x12 and see its good for around 800 to run it. Well thanks for any advise that you have. thanks again (cpmaple) chad

[Haynes Forest Products]

I would go for the 3 x 12 and keep getting taps. I believe even with a RO you will out grow the 30 x 8 I like the 3 x 12 size was thinking about maybe adding on to my arch and going with 3 finish pans:)

[tuckermtn]

need more info on the 30x8. flue pan, hood, etc...also vacuum on the taps?

but my quick response would be if you can get 600 to a 1000, you are already too big for a 30x8 stock evap. We ran 475 taps (all but 130 on gravity) two years ago on a Grimm 30x8 and got overwhelmed- but that was a big sap year.

never run a 3x12 so cannot comment on how much you need to fill it or keep it fed...

[Farmboy]

I would say go for the 30"X8' unless your going to tap 1000 next year. You could go to like 400 on vacume or about 500 on gravity this year and still not be killing yourself then in a few years you can get an ro and do all of the taps plus some. I think Nate on here did around 1200 taps on a 2X6 with an ro. A 30"X8' w. An ro will be more efficient and you could use your existing sugarshack and ad a room for the ro when the time comes. With the 3X12 you would probably need a bigger sugarshack.

[cpmaple]

The 30x8 has one pan with 11" drop flue and another with 5" drop flue with one divider in each.The gentle man told me the max he got off it was 70gph and its english tin pans. Hope that helps and thanks for all the input.One last thing this year all will be gravity no vac. and my sugarhouse is 16x20 which is almost complete for now.

[tuckermtn]

our 30 x 8 would do 55 gph max. now with the RO I can process around 400-450 gph.

[cpmaple]

This is my third season and still dont know all about sugaring but, very eager to learn more and I have a great time doing it with kids and father in law. Looking at selling some this year and more next and if i can get by this year with the smaller on i would down the road look for a ro and more just wondering about the english tin pans if i should be aware of them or not.And the gentlemen told me 60-70gph is what he could get off from it. Just wondering all of this price is 600 does it sound good????????????????

[mapleack]

I'd say $600 for the english tin pans 3x8 is a good price if the homemade arch is decent. Though if you have 600 taps you're going to have some 10 hr plus boils which may be a problem. What condition is the 3x12 in? What kind of pans does it have? If you're going to have 1000 or more taps soon, I'd go for the 3x12 because you're going to need it. If its in decent shape for $1700 you'll be able to use it a couple years and sell it for the same price. Yes you can always go the RO route with a small evaporator, but if you're just starting out I'd keep things as simple as possible for a couple years because you'll be stressed enough with a new operation.

[cpmaple]

The pics i got mapleack look really good and the 3x12 has a new arch this past season and just looking to do the right thing and not get the wrong one and not have enough sap to boil this coming year if i only get say 500 or 600 taps out this season.Love making maple gold and my kids love it also so i much rather do this and spend time with them and the family and let them sell it and make a little bit to learn the value of a dollar.

[3rdgen.maple]

I would get some more info on the 3x12. They are both priced really well. If the 12 footer has stainless steel pans it will last you longer and hold its value better in the long run. If it is english tin also l would personally save the extra 1100 bucks and set it aside for a evaorator with nice ss pans. Dont get me wrong its a personal choice, english tin pans have made alot of syrup. As far as not enough sap for the 3x12 you can always hold sap for a day or so to get a nice boil in. Last year I ran 600 or maybe it was 800 (memory has a day shelf life) on my 2x6 with no ro and wanted more but I love long boils. Not to mention it was a poor production year. The thing that is confusing me about the 30x8 is it has 2 flue pans on it. The front pan should be a flat pan for getting your syrup to grade. It almost sounds like someone just found a deal on a couple pans and just put them on a homemade arch If that is the one you get I would be looking for a finishing pan to put on the front of it. By the way where in NY are you?

[cpmaple]

It also has a 30"x2' front pan with one divider and i live in crown point ny right next to lake champlain about 60 miles south of plattsburg. thanks for the help

[Amber Gold]

That's cheap money for either evap. I would get the 3x12 and you can tap 600-1000 w/ no problems. If you work, any more than 400 on vacuum will be too much on a 30x8. The 3x12 will make your SH pretty cozy though and the 30x8 would be a better fit. Make it 6' longer and get the 3x12.

[cpmaple]

Well i made my decision gonna get the 3x12 and just hunt around the area for more trees and hope it was the right move and the gentlemen said he would now take 1500 for it with a tankka tapper to go along with it. thanks for the help everyone.

[Haynes Forest Products]

When you get it loaded and paid for make sure you kick around his shack making inquiries about all sorts of items that look like they will fit on the unit.:lol:

[3rdgen.maple]

I would also fill the pans up with some water and check for leaks. Not sure if you ever said what pans are on the one you plan on buying. SS or english tin. Give it a good check for warped or schorched pans etc. Like Haynes said make sure you get all the float boxes, floats, plugs etc etc...Good luck.