Why not mild steel for pans?

in certain applications in solar stainless is used as an insulator because of lack of heat transfer through it. Go figure.
I like the copper pans and would make one but they are frownded upon. Copper is much easier to work with.
I will just keep using my steel pan for finishing and keep the '' I have the best tasting syrup I have had'' comments here. :)

Can you pass state inspection with a mild steel pan

If this customer thinks stainless is expensive now, wait till he want to upgrade or get out of the business. Then he'll find out that expensive can also be spelled "depreciation"

Mild Steel pans

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Schumacher

I received an email from a customer requesting a quote for a pan to be made out of mild steel. I called him to discuss his plans and reminded him that the industry standard for maple products or any food is 300 series stainless and that I would advise against mild steel. He made it clear that it was not because of the cost of ss that he wanted mild steel. He was told by some one who has been making syrup for 25 years that ss and modern evaporators make poor tasting syrup and that they scorch the syrup too easily. He went on to tell me that this experienced gentleman believes in old ways, runs 500 taps, and boils on five oil-drum evaporators with steel pans all at once during the peak of the season. As the conversation progressed he asked me how thick I can make the pans... I told him that the more typical question is how thin I can make them... He wants them a minimum of 1/8" but said thicker would be better. I thought for sure he was messing with me...until he emailed a plan that he had made on auto-CAD.
My main question is this. What SPECIFICALLY is wrong with using mild steel for boiling sap? His mentor just scuffs the rust off the surface of the pans every season and considers it to be clean. I'm not trying to upsell him, just want things to be right.

Jim

14 yrs ago when I built my 32x 96 cooker we had mild steel pan , and man would that thing boil ! then built stainless pan what a disappointment lost over 8 gallons an hour in evaporation and I not knowing any better made it to thick . 16 gauge will not let the heat through 12 yrs later . ordered steel today to build mild steel pan next week . clean with soap and water then rub with mineral oil and keep it oiled!