Recessed Floor in front of Arch/Wood Storage
I'm reading the old UVM Sugarhouse Design document, and "It is recommended that the floor in front of the evaporator be recessed 8 to 12 inches for convenience for firing the box and for ash removal." (Page 10, under Floors) Has anyone done this? It makes sense to me, as the most inefficient process of my operation is fueling the arch. My wood is stacked in the wrong place (along side the house, and retrieved by the wheelbarrow load. I split some inside which can make a mess and blocks the door. Not that a recess would help with that, but it may be a back saver. I'm just wondering what others have done.
I wish I saw this document before I designed my shack, particularly the recommended location for the wood storage. The idea of easing and streamlining the movement of firewood to the arch is appealing, and if I expand my shack, I want to take advantage of some long standing design considerations. I know what does not work so well.
Gary / Zena Crossroads / 42˚ 00' 24" N / Hobby in Early '70s, Addiction since 2014
175+ taps on 3/16 (60 of which are on two Lunchbox Vac/Releasers)
12x34 timber framed sap house w/attached 10x34 shed roof for storage
2 x 6 Smoky Lake hybrid pan on Corsair arch with AUF/steam hood/preheater/concentric exhaust
7.0 KW Sun Power PV System, Smokey Lake Filter Press/Steam Bottler, Modified NGMP RO - 2 4x40 posts 200 gph