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Thread: Preheater around the stack

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
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    Default Preheater around the stack

    Just bought a leader 2x6 wse and needing to add a preheater. Currently does not have a hood (may build one) and wondering if anyone has had success using copper pipe around the stack as a preheater. Good/bad???

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
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    Peoria, IL
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnjenner View Post
    Just bought a leader 2x6 wse and needing to add a preheater. Currently does not have a hood (may build one) and wondering if anyone has had success using copper pipe around the stack as a preheater. Good/bad???
    I have heard of mixed results doing this. Since a stack can reach very hot temps you must be careful not to scourch the sap in the preheater tube. And you can also boil the sap in the tube which increases chances of vapor lock. To get the best and most consistent results build the traditional parallel flow preheater and hood.
    Camp Wokanda
    Peoria Park District

    2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
    2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
    2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
    2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
    2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
    2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons

  3. #3
    Haynes Forest Products Guest

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    As long as you keep the sap moving at a good speed you can get some heat transfer but there is a point like mentioned vapor lock right before a steam spewing stack rumbling power washer overwhelms your float valve backing up into the head tank belching sap all over the place. With a few safe guards you can over come it.

    what I have learned is keep the sap moving have a way to flush the sap out with clear water as you shut down and the smaller the tube less forgiving it is.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
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    Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
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    With a 2 x 6 I am not sure how much you will be able to heat the sap as it will be flowing at a pretty good rate. If you do try it I would suggest having the sap come in at the bottom of the spiral and out the top. This should help with any vapor lock.
    Smoky Lake 2x6 dropflu pans and hoods on homemade arch
    Smoky Lake 6 gallon water jacked bottler
    Concentric Exhaust
    250 Deer Run RO
    325 taps

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Oneida NY
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    If you want to use the stack method, look at this: http://flickr.com/photos/57535094@N0...7601539320490/
    It is by member Johnny Cuervo. He has a post telling how he made it. It is very effective at 17-18 gph, you may need more feet to do 25-30 gph if you want 160-170F sap. On the other hand 110-120F is still far better than 35F.
    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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Potsdam in far northern New York
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    775

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    Steam is a much better heat transfer medium without the risk of burning anything.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    North Central WI
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    49

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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnjenner View Post
    Just bought a leader 2x6 wse and needing to add a preheater. Currently does not have a hood (may build one) and wondering if anyone has had success using copper pipe around the stack as a preheater. Good/bad???
    I've been doing this for several years - copper tubing wrapped around the stack, 40F sap in, 160F sap out, haven't had issues with burning or vapor lock so far.
    2010 - 12 taps, turkey fryer, 4 quarts
    2011 - 24 taps, homemade arch from old water tank, 16"x24" flat pan, 16+ quarts
    2012 - 9 taps, 3 pints, what a season
    2013 - 60 taps, homemade oil tank arch with 2'x4' flat pan, 16"x24" finishing pan on electric range, 55 quarts
    2014 - 80 taps, homemade oil tank arch with 2'x4' flat pan, 16"x24" finishing pan on electric range, 40 quarts
    2015 - 100 taps, 15 gallons
    2016 - 115 taps, 13.5 gallons
    2017 - 120 taps, 13 gallons
    2018 - 130 taps, 11 gallons

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Speyside, Ontario
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    Quote Originally Posted by maple flats View Post
    If you want to use the stack method, look at this: http://flickr.com/photos/57535094@N0...7601539320490/
    It is by member Johnny Cuervo. He has a post telling how he made it. It is very effective at 17-18 gph, you may need more feet to do 25-30 gph if you want 160-170F sap. On the other hand 110-120F is still far better than 35F.
    Link no workie...
    2015 - 8 buckets, 332L sap, 8.5L syrup - Barrel evaporator, 2 steam pans
    2016 - 8 buckets, 432L sap
    2017 - 10 bags, 470L sap, 9L syrup
    2018 - 20 bags, 1050L sap, 17.6L syrup
    2019 - 20 bags, 970L sap, 22.2L syrup
    2020 - 17 bags, 813L sap, 17L syrup

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