55 gallon drum evaporator

[TOMWOLVES]

I made this 55 gallon drum evaporator a couple of years ago, and finally got the chance to use it February 21st in Northern Michigan. Lined it with firebricks and sand. The piece I cut out of the side of the barrel I used for a heat shield inside the barrel so that it would radiant the heat to the pan. I boiled down approximately 23 to 24 gallons of sap, 1/4 face cord of wood, 8 1/2 hours made 5 pints of syrup.
DSC_1300.jpgBOILING SAP FEB 21 2017 02.jpgBOILING SAP FEB 21 2017 05.jpgBOILING SAP FEB 21 2017 06.jpg

[psparr]

And the addiction begins.

[wbreitbarth]

My cooker looked a lot like this my 1st year. I had the pan cut so the flames hit 1 of them and set the pre heater in the front. The 2nd time cooking in my 1st year I cut a 2nd hole so my preheater sat down in the fire also. It made a big difference. I still use the 55 gallon drum for cooking I just added a 2nd stove this year for my preheater and I cook about 4.5 gallons an hour now. cooker.jpg

[berkshires]

Nice work!

[STP92x]

Looks pretty good. I just built one myself with two pans on top. On piece of advice, add a pipe with a blower it makes a huge difference. I am just using a hair dryer for now and the difference in the heat is unreal.

[TOMWOLVES]

Howdy STP9x, do you have a photo? Thank you!

[TOMWOLVES]

Howdy wbreitbarth, where did you get your pans from?, your evaporator looks "hooked up" I would like to have two pans too. have a great day!

[STP92x]

I cut a hole along the bottom in the back of the barrel and laid a heavy 2.5 inch pipe along the bottom under the grates and drilled nine holes facing upwards. Stuffed the end of the pipe with roxul since I don't weld. I don't have a pic of the inside of the barrel but here is a picture from the back.
20170218_173059.jpg

[wobbletop]

^^^

I did the same thing but with 3" galvanized ducting and a bathroom fan. The bathroom fan is a lot quieter than a hair dryer. I added more holes to the duct this year and working much better. Basically a 1/4" whole every 1" along the duct under the fire.

[wbreitbarth]

Howdy wbreitbarth, where did you get your pans from?, your evaporator looks "hooked up" I would like to have two pans too. have a great day!

I got very lucky with my pans. Some old farmer had them that was friends with my dad. He sold them to me for $10.00 each! Both have draw off valves on them. The way your setup looks you should be able to get another buffet style pan on there if you turn them sideways pry work just as good.