I run a Smoky Lake 2X5 Corsair with a 2X4 flat pan (about $2250) and can run 12 GPH all day long. I welded a 1X2 filler plate to cover the void for small batches, and bought a 1X2X20" preheater pan for the big batches. With the preheater (I think $200 more) i am running 16 GPH with the 2X4 flat pan.
New to tapping in 2015! 24 taps on bags - 3 1/2 gallons of syrup
2016 - 50 taps on bags - 8 gallons of syrup
2017 - 45 taps on bag - 4 1/2 gallons of syrup
2018 - 58 taps on bags - 7 1/2 gallons of syrup
Smoky Lake 2X4 flat pan
2018 - Smoky Lake 2X5 Corsair Arch with custom built pre-heater pan - 16 GPH!
If money is really the case than I would go with the pan first, would definitely make a difference for this season.
Happy sugaring
John
1997-98 Coleman cook stove 20 taps
99-2003 Two propane burners with 35 taps
04-06 Leader half pint with 50-65 taps, then quit for 2 years
2009 Back on Propane 20 taps
2010-18 2x6 Leader wood fired, Patriot Pans 100-130 taps
New for 2019 2x4 W.F. Mason Raised Flue 80 taps
Unfortunately, money is always the issue. It looks like it is going to be a Smoky Lake 2x4 divide pan, as it is significantly cheaper than the hybrid pan. I honestly dont really need the hybrid pan at 20 GPH for the amount of sap that I get.
2015- Didn't know my new property enough to tap anything. 4-feet of snow on the ground.
2016- 41 Taps with home made barrel evaporator. Made 1.5 gallons syrup.
2017- 79 Taps with home made block arch evaporator. Made 2.47 gallons syrup
2018- 91 Taps again with home made block arch. Homemade RO worked great. Made 6.96 gallons syrup.
2019- 84 Taps. Building another arch. RO in place. New Smoky Lake 2x4 Divided Pan. Everything switched to 3/16" tubing.
I have the SL 2x6 raised flue ssr system now. I bought the back pan off Craig's list and used it on my barrel arch for one season it was a bit of a pain but it was a huge improvement and it was all I could spend that year. Last spring I built the arch and bought the rest of the pan set.
I get a solid 50 gph on it a big jump from the 12-15 I used to. Witch brings me to the next point. Buy the best pan you can afford the shorter days cooking are worth it and you will definitely grow over time. P.s. I wont buy anywhere else jim builds the best stuff in the industry period.
25 years sugaring
2018 191taps. Made 80 gallons
Two taps to a 5 gallon bucket roadside trees.
A retired dad to hump buckets and do most of the boiling the great wife that let's me spend lots of time and money.
New Smokey lake 2×6 raised flue SSR on my own version of the silverplate arch.
2019 new hood and new preheater concept that worked great.
306 taps roadside trees
Well I finally pulled the trigger and got a SL 2x4 divided pan with feed pan. I'll just build the block arch again, and then go all in next year with a new arch. Can't wait for the new pan to show up.
2015- Didn't know my new property enough to tap anything. 4-feet of snow on the ground.
2016- 41 Taps with home made barrel evaporator. Made 1.5 gallons syrup.
2017- 79 Taps with home made block arch evaporator. Made 2.47 gallons syrup
2018- 91 Taps again with home made block arch. Homemade RO worked great. Made 6.96 gallons syrup.
2019- 84 Taps. Building another arch. RO in place. New Smoky Lake 2x4 Divided Pan. Everything switched to 3/16" tubing.
You won't be disappointed with that pan and set-up.
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