New in Maine

[Mvhomesteader]

I am in Mount Vernon, just Northwest of Augusta. Plan is a funny word, I plan on eventually tapping a few hundred, my immediate goals however are significantly more humble. I am hoping to tap up to 30 this next year. Last year we did 20.

Welcome to the site, though I am posting this somewhat late! I too am in Mount Vernon...small world. I built a concrete block arch lined with brick that supports three steam trays. In conjunction with a stand alone warming stove with one tray I can do 60+ gallons of sap in a days boil. We had 18 or so taps on 2018 for 7 gallons of syrup and are looking to do 24 this season. No problems with the blocks cracking as the brick keeps the heat down. Besides at $1.65 each it's cheap to repair.

Best of luck this season!

[groomer_guy]

Welcome to the site. Everyone here is very knowledgeable when it comes to the various parts of sugaring. We are all here to help. I too started with cinder block arch outside and it was fun. Now I have built a sugarhouse and have a small evaporator and it has made a huge difference.

[woodsy]

I went from barrel stove to concrete block a couple years back and like it better.
More flexibility in firebox capacity height, width and length wise means less tending. I am at 3 blocks high.
Some blocks crack but going on 3rd season with same blocks . They will still hold together cracked.
The stovepipe out the back takes a bit of engineering but can be done with a
little ingenuity.