On the base of the stack is a vertical plate that stoppes about a inch from the bottom restricting the draft in back of the drop flues . Looked like to be about a whisper of smoke getting by it, Its gone now . I had much better draft on my smaller evaporator. The 1 Inch Insulation I put behind the brick may have taken up too much space, but I felt it should have it. I was getting about 9 to 10 gallons boil down, suppose to get 22. I came real close to burning the pan after I took the baffle out because my feed line was freezing up. Put a electric heat tape on it for next time. I got 90 gallons in the tank and I not going to boil until the saps running again.
Despite the cold temperatures this last week, sap had slowly been accumulating in our buckets. Had to clear some of them out this afternoon in anticipation if a big run this week. My wife ran the show for a time while I was doing other chores.
C816A9A2-065E-4757-8332-685492420740.jpg
60ish taps on buckets
D&G Sportsman 18x63
Turbo RB15 RO Bucket
Speaking of chores, boiling off those big blocks of ice must have been a chore.
2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
2024: 17 taps
All on buckets
Had a good Day and a half Run, boiled down about 250 gallons, all caught up and waiting for the next Run. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=375684097325637
Last edited by Russ008; 03-12-2021 at 09:02 PM.
How are things going for folks here in Franklin County? I've called it a season. I'm estimating 15 gallons made from 60 taps although I haven't bottled yet to get an accurate count. Worried that it would be a bad season but boiled 5 days in a row, last Thursday through Monday. I think that saved us. Not counting on it running again, so cleaning up this weekend.
60ish taps on buckets
D&G Sportsman 18x63
Turbo RB15 RO Bucket
We’ve called it a season too midweek last week. We got about 4.6 gallons on 24 taps. Somewhat lower sugar content in our sap than we expected, but we’ve heard that’s been true for a lot of people in the area.
Worked out some problems on the new evaporator. Lost my first batch but saved the pan when my lines froze. Produced 15 gallons, and 15lbs maple cream. Next year going to add a Steam Hood, Tank heater and finish the Sugar house interior. I learn allot from the Maple trader Forums and was real worried the year it crashed. I've got to Map, Sanitize and take down the lines and Trim the Sugar Bush but will continue to check in when I can. Thanks All !
Noticed some Folks tapping a month ago. I'm cleaning up the Sugar House, Tanks and equipment now. Planning on a short but sweet season in March. Let you know how it works for Us !
It wasn't even warming up and filled the sugar house with smoke. There's a plate that hangs down in front of the stack about the same length of the drop flues. Probably because I insulated and bricked there was a very narrow space for the heat to flow. Everybody at H2o speaks french And the dealer I bought it from didn't know.