Hi all,
I am a first year producer, 100 taps, 2x6 evaporator.
I am wondering if people covers their evaporator at night after boiling because i am concerned with rodents. For those of you who do, what do you use ?
Thanks a lot
Covering your evaporator
Hi all,
I am a first year producer, 100 taps, 2x6 evaporator.
I am wondering if people covers their evaporator at night after boiling because i am concerned with rodents. For those of you who do, what do you use ?
Thanks a lot
Never had problems with rodents, but we covered ours with a sheet of plywood and a big brick on top to keep the wind from blowing it off.
I never cover mine unless it is going to sit Idle a week or more. I've also never has a problem w/ mice and you can throw a cat between the boards in my sugarhouse
2012: Probably 750 gravity taps and 50 buckets.
600 gal stainless milk tank.
2 - 100 gallon stock tanks
one 30 gal barrel
50 buckets
3' x 10' Waterloo Raised Flue wood fired evaporator w/ open pans.
12" x 20" Filter Canner
Sawmill next to sugarhouse solves my sugarwood problem
Gather with GMC 3500 2wd Pickup w/ 425 gallon Plastic Tank.
Been tapping here in Lyman NH since 1989 but I've been sugaring since 8 years old in 1968.
I have a tight hood on my flue pan and I made a SS cover that is put on the syrup pan. Also each side box has it's own SS cover. I also did that on my 2x6 finisher and my canner. I don't want to take chances.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
I use plexiglass on my flu pan and syrup pan, just cut to size.
12x16 Sugar House 2x6 Maple Pro wood fired evaporator Arctic Cat 4x4 1980 Snowmobile 225 taps on buckets 17 Taps on 3/16th tubing on steep hillside
I cover mine when it will sit for several days. I just use a sheet of plastic. so I put it on the day after boiling if it looks like it will be a day or two more before I cook again. the homemade preheater on the flue pan makes it nearly impossible to use a hard cover and still close it up well. I could take that off easy..but then it would not be covered also. this way it is
Thanks for sharing your experience. I clearly prefer not to take any chance so all your ideas are much appreciated especially as now its too late for having one built in SS so i need alternative ideas for now.
I built one out of aluminum flashing and pop rivets for this year. Its a little flimsy, but it works for now.
I use those handled stainless steel covers that go with any particular model of steam table pan. I just put them on the pans and done. The fit isn't always perfect due to heat warpage of the pans, but it isn't too bad.
Be careful, condensation coming off your pans will be in contact with your cover and dripping back into your syrup.
I would be leary of anything other than stainless.
John Allin
14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.
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