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Thread: File Cabinet Evaporator Build

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Danbury, Connecticut
    Posts
    331

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    Quote Originally Posted by SRATHWELL View Post
    Picked up firebrick, Rockwool insulation and some rebar to make the fire grate.
    I got a couple more hours in tonight. Starting to look like an arch.
    Plan is still to finish it tomorrow and have the first boil Sunday.Attachment 17957Attachment 17958Attachment 17959
    Looks nice but i don't think the rebar is going to stand up to the temps you'll make in there.
    2016 - 36 Taps - File Cabinet Arch + Food Pans
    2017 - 2.5'x10' drop flues - 3/16 Natural Vacuum - 122 Taps
    2018 - 16x20 Sugar Shack - 3/16 Natural Vacuum - 235 Taps

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    ON
    Posts
    14

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    I have heard that a lot. I used it last year in my block arch and it worked ok. I'm on a budget so it will just have to do. The grate will be removable so if it doesnt last I will replace it later.
    I guess only time will tell.
    Last edited by SRATHWELL; 03-03-2018 at 09:35 AM.
    2017 - 7 taps on a block arch, about 6 L of syrup.
    2018 - New File Cabinet Arch Built - http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...aporator-Build
    - 8 Taps and about 8L of syrup
    2019 - 12 Taps - Re insulated and Firebricked the File Cabinet, Added another steam pan!

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Alcona County, Michigan
    Posts
    1,134

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    Looks great, but I agree on the rebar grate. Even with lots of legs to prop it up, it would sag and burn away.
    CE
    44° 41′ 3″ N

    2019 -- 44 Red Maples - My home and sugarbush are for sale.
    2018 -- 48 Red Maples, 7 gallons
    2017 -- 84 Red Maples, 1 Sugar Maple, and 1 Silver Maple , 13 gallons
    2016 -- 55 Red Maples, 8 gallons
    2015 -- 15 Red Maples, 6 Birches - 3+ gallons maple syrup
    An awning over my deck is my sugar shack.
    An electrified kitchen sink and an electrified steam table pan are my evaporators.

  4. #14
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    Mar 2017
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    ON
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    IMG_20180303_160428.jpgIMG_20180303_151512.jpg

    Got a little more done today. Should be able to finish it up tonight.
    2017 - 7 taps on a block arch, about 6 L of syrup.
    2018 - New File Cabinet Arch Built - http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...aporator-Build
    - 8 Taps and about 8L of syrup
    2019 - 12 Taps - Re insulated and Firebricked the File Cabinet, Added another steam pan!

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Central Wisconsin
    Posts
    124

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    Looking good.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    minnesota (isle)
    Posts
    62

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    I would recommend making the grate out of angle iron with the points down and fill them with sand first they might last longer that way
    Custom built downsized Small Bros. arch and leader pan
    Carrying on the wifes family tradition with the help of my brother and my cousin
    two miles of almost impassable woods road to get to the sugar bush and shack (heaven)

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    ON
    Posts
    14

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    IMG_20180304_132709.jpgIMG_20180304_142916.jpgIMG_20180304_215708.jpg

    Little late posting but I got it finished Sunday afternoon. I insulated, firebricked and built the grate. Did a test boil with water and then started putting the sap to it......

    This thing works well. With very little wood I can have a very hard boiling going. If I really push it I can have flames coming out the 6 foot stack......

    The insulation did a good job... except for the one spot that it fell off (can you tell from the picture where that is). When it is rolling you can still touch the side (it is hot but does not burn you).

    The rebar grate held up fine. I have a ton of space under it and a good draw of air that I think is keeping it from getting too hot.

    With just my single little pan and a small prewarmer (which would get to a full rolling boil before dumping into the main) I boiled off approx 68L of sap making 1.75L of syrup.....

    Up next I have ordered a steam pan which will effectively double my boiling surface area and I am going to give it a coat of heat paint.

    I am going to tap more trees soon as the weather turns here.

    All in all I would call it a success!!!
    2017 - 7 taps on a block arch, about 6 L of syrup.
    2018 - New File Cabinet Arch Built - http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...aporator-Build
    - 8 Taps and about 8L of syrup
    2019 - 12 Taps - Re insulated and Firebricked the File Cabinet, Added another steam pan!

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    chester, ma
    Posts
    905

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    great work!
    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

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    West Bend, Wisconsin
    Posts
    67

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    Does anyone have an opinion on the location of the stack? I have seen the go our the back on some arches and out the top on others.

    I picked up an 18×25×52 inch heavy duty file cabinet for $10. My summer project will be making it into an arch. I plan on lots of insulation and firebrick.

    Most of all I will apply what I learned last year building the much smaller file cabinet arch.
    16 in by 36 inch stainless flat pan on wood burning stove, with 10 six inch 1/2 inch-diameter copper drop tubes.

    File cabinet arch with steam table pan new in 2017.


    4, 12, 18, 24, 35, 50, 50, 48, 51, 51, 52, 52, 27, 32

    Syrup making since 2004

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Alcona County, Michigan
    Posts
    1,134

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    The reason to route the stack out the back is to maximize the real estate devoted to pans. Secondary combustion occurs behind the fire and you can use that extra heat for boiling or preheating if you don't have a stack in the way. It's easier to support a stack that sits on top, so that's why some people do it.
    CE
    44° 41′ 3″ N

    2019 -- 44 Red Maples - My home and sugarbush are for sale.
    2018 -- 48 Red Maples, 7 gallons
    2017 -- 84 Red Maples, 1 Sugar Maple, and 1 Silver Maple , 13 gallons
    2016 -- 55 Red Maples, 8 gallons
    2015 -- 15 Red Maples, 6 Birches - 3+ gallons maple syrup
    An awning over my deck is my sugar shack.
    An electrified kitchen sink and an electrified steam table pan are my evaporators.

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