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Thread: Salesman's scale-model evaporator

  1. #1
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    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
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    Default Salesman's scale-model evaporator

    I recently was given what appears to be a salesman’s scale-model maple evaporator (photos attached). It's an interesting little piece. It doesn’t have any writing on it anywhere. Comes in 4 parts: the arch (with operating firebox doors and ash door), the sap pan (divided into 3 sections with flues), and two syrup pans. Looks to be made of tin that is riveted and soldered together. Very nice workmanship. The configuration of the pans is reversed from those in most use today: syrup pans fit in the model near the stack, and the sap pan fits into the end with the fire doors (I know these types of evaporators existed, but don’t know much about them).

    I've only ever seen one other model like this. It is in Gary Gaudette’s office at Leader Evaporator Co. Can anyone tell me anything more about this? What manufacturer or model of evaporator does it represent? How old is it? Anything other info?

    In case you were wondering....NO...I'm not interested in selling it.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  2. #2
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    Weare, NH
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    The only time I saw a backward evaporator like that was in Cuttingsville VT. The guy switched his pans around like that and even had a homemade piggyback over the firebox end of the rig. His claim was that he could make darker syrup that way because the syrup in the syrup pans boiled slower and allowed it to darken more. His market was mostly for dark amber and B. I don't know why else you would set it up that way.

    How big is the model?
    Sugarbush in Tunbridge VT.
    1080 taps for 2014 (made 506 gallons)
    2hp liquid ring vac
    3x10 small bros w/preheater, blower and new airtight front = 140 gph
    Sap Brother Eco-50 RO w/4 xle 4040s and 360gph pump

  3. #3
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    It is 13" long and a bit over 4" high to the top of the pans.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  4. #4
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    thats pretty cool. now you can start a minuture sugarhouse to play with during the off season.
    may your sap be at 3%
    Brad

    www.willowcreeksugarhouse.com
    585 or so on Vacuum, about 35 on buckets/sap sacs
    Atlas Copco GVS 25A Rotary Vane vacuum pump
    MES horizontal electric releaser
    2x6 ss phaneuf Drop flue, Leader woodsaver blower, homemade hood
    300gph H2O RO
    husquvarna 562 XP
    Its Here!!! 2024 season is here get busy!!!

  5. #5
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    Very cool and no doubt quite old. I've seen the one Gary Gaudette has, years ago at St Albans.
    Andy's Own Maple
    Andy Kinter (4th + generation maple producer)
    Approx 790 taps on vacuum

    3x10 nat. gas fired raised flue small bros.
    600 gph Lapierre RO
    Fine collection of used bulk tanks
    Kubota MX5100 sap hauler
    2 hives (that I don't spend enough time on)
    A great family that works together to make syrup!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andys...27718203945398
    http://photobucket.com/mapleack

  6. #6
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    Leeds County,Ontario,Canada
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    I believe Grimm used to do this years ago,their thoughts were less chance of burning your syrup at the back of the arch
    7th generation maple producer in sugarhouse built in 1892
    2x World Champion Maple Syrup Producer
    1250 taps on cv adapters
    Leader Vortex 3x14 with Max Flue and Revolution Syrup Pan,Enhanced Steam Away
    www.leggettmaplesyrup.com

  7. #7
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    Nov 2003
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    west campton, n.h.
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    Default salesmans sample

    I have one I got some time ago,yes it is a Grimm Champion evaporator.The paperwork with mine from Grimm to the agent that had it,is dated from the early 1900's.He must have been a super salesman,as the whole rig is nickle plated.My first rig was one of these that I got in 1960.

  8. #8
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    Nov 2011
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    Vt
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    Quite a coincidence that just this morning I was admiring the craftsmanship that went in to my example of a model like yours. I will attempt to post photos. Mine was made by John Patrick Gleason, head tinsmith for VT Evaporator Co. in St. Regis Falls, NY. His son gave this to a good friend of mine and I acquired it from the family after my friend died. Like you, I treasure this and it is not for sale. Along with this came a handwritten account by Gleason's son giving somevtevap2.jpg history of the Vt Evaporator Co. and an explanation of how this evaporator worked.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  9. #9
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    Wow those are cool i bet who ever made those had endless patience

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by sherwoodm View Post
    Quite a coincidence that just this morning I was admiring the craftsmanship that went in to my example of a model like yours. I will attempt to post photos.
    Nice. Definitely a different model than yours. An very knowledgeable acquaintance I emailed today tells me the one I have is a salesmans model of the Grimm Champion evaporator from the late-1800s or early-1900s. After I got that info, I went to our archives in the basement of PMRC and pulled out the advertisements/info on these from the early-1900s to get some background information. Hard to imagine the hours that went into building these.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

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