Evaporator pan advice for block arch

[jdircksen]

jimmol,
How has the Silver Creek 18x34 pan worked out for you over the past 2 years? I am looking to get that size because it will fit nicely on top of a pair of 16x16 gas burners.

[ir3333]

I doubt a 32nd of an inch difference in pan thickness would amount to a hill
of beans to a hobby sugarer. 16 gauge is just shy of a 1/16 inch , 22 gauge is 1/32 inch.
Stiffer pan on a block arch might actually be a good thing but each to their own.
I can have approx 12 gals sap to a rolling boil from a cold start in 1/2 hr and then
boil off 7-8 gals hr with a 2' x 2' x 6" 16 ga. pan. Not bad at all.

I think an thickness makes a huge difference in efficiency..as does the design of the arch.
You can boil an inch of sap on coals in a 22 gauge pan.A 16 gauge pan won't boil anything at all on coals.
With 16 gauge you just need a bigger fire.
It's hard to out boil 24 gauge steam pans all things being equal.
Is your pan 2' x 2' for a total of 4 sq. ft?