What are you using for the elec. cost, just the months of production and clean up or the whole 12 month total. If using Jan-Apr I spent $92 and made 173 gal thus $.532 a gal. If using 12 months, I spent 3x that. Next year the total may be zero since my solar now covers my electric usage. On the other hand, I ran 2 gas powered vacuum pumps. I haven't totaled the fuel cost yet, but it will scare me. I used about 70% as much gas as last year (shorter season) but only made 52% as much syrup.
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.