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!
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.
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!
Looking good.
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)
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!
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
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
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.