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Thread: Cupolas, Cupolas, Cupolas

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Central Wisconsin
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    Default Cupolas, Cupolas, Cupolas

    Does everyone have one? Do I really need to build one?. I was thinking about doing a hinged drop down section on the gable ends instead. Bad idea?
    IMG_9928.jpg
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    Last edited by Trapper2; 05-01-2019 at 11:42 AM.
    1960 - 1970s 70 taps on galvanized buckets with Dad and Grandpa.
    1970s - 1985 Acted crazy!
    1986 - 2005 20-30 buckets.
    2006- 2017 70 buckets and bags
    2017-2019 100 bags and buckets
    2020 Finally retired!!! 75 buckets, 50-75 on tubing. RO Bucket, New 12 X 16 Shack and a 42X42 flat pan.
    2021-Adding another 125 taps along with a second RO bucket.
    2022- Shooting for 350 taps, with 100 on lines.
    Lots of Family and Friends and dogs named Skyy and Nessy!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    MA
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    588

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    I don't think it's a bad idea, but it likely won't be as effective as a cupola. Might it be effective enough for your situation? That depends on the how big your evaporator is and how big the gable opening is. I believe the general rule of thumb is that the surface areas of your evaporator and the cupola opening should be the same. If the gable is less effective, you may need additional area to achieve the same venting effectiveness.
    60ish taps on buckets
    D&G Sportsman 18x63
    Turbo RB15 RO Bucket

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Northeast Vermont
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    648

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    i think your idea would work "ok". i think if you had it vented on both ends of the gables it would work much, much better! if you have a day where the wind is not blowing in the right direction, you may be blowing steam back into the shack.... for example. if you had it vented on both ends, you'd be able to get rid of the steam!
    Awfully thankful for an understanding wife!

    “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
    - Vincent “Vince” Lombardi

    Good luck to all!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Central Wisconsin
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    I will have about 10 square feet open on both ends, plus storm windows and a swinging service door. . My evaporator is a 3 X 4. I only batch boil 800-1000 gallons either 4 or 5 times a season. I want the shed mostly for storing Syrup equipment during the off season and in case we have wet weather during season. Also I would have a finish turkey fryer setup so I can finish the last few Brix in more controlled environment than in my garage on Sunday night after a 72 hour boil.
    Picture of current setup.
    IMG_E5921.jpg
    1960 - 1970s 70 taps on galvanized buckets with Dad and Grandpa.
    1970s - 1985 Acted crazy!
    1986 - 2005 20-30 buckets.
    2006- 2017 70 buckets and bags
    2017-2019 100 bags and buckets
    2020 Finally retired!!! 75 buckets, 50-75 on tubing. RO Bucket, New 12 X 16 Shack and a 42X42 flat pan.
    2021-Adding another 125 taps along with a second RO bucket.
    2022- Shooting for 350 taps, with 100 on lines.
    Lots of Family and Friends and dogs named Skyy and Nessy!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Central Wisconsin
    Posts
    428

    Default

    IMG_9664.jpg

    Picture of evaporator.
    1960 - 1970s 70 taps on galvanized buckets with Dad and Grandpa.
    1970s - 1985 Acted crazy!
    1986 - 2005 20-30 buckets.
    2006- 2017 70 buckets and bags
    2017-2019 100 bags and buckets
    2020 Finally retired!!! 75 buckets, 50-75 on tubing. RO Bucket, New 12 X 16 Shack and a 42X42 flat pan.
    2021-Adding another 125 taps along with a second RO bucket.
    2022- Shooting for 350 taps, with 100 on lines.
    Lots of Family and Friends and dogs named Skyy and Nessy!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Lake County Ohio
    Posts
    1,628

    Default

    A cupola is not a huge necessity, and what you're about to do with a new building will be a huge improvement over what you are doing now.

    But, with a cupola you are utilizing the natural draft created with the heat radiating off the arch. The hot air rises, finds an escape at the cupola and takes the steam up and out with it.

    Your new plan is good as long as you can generate an upward draft. If cold air can enter the gable end(s) it will drop like a stone taking the steam with it.
    With your open gables; unless they're way up near the top of the building, you may find wind blowing in - and if it's cold the steam will just sit there. It can take a while to get steam moving up and out in our sugar house, I find opening a door to let cold air in near the floor helps get things moving.

    I would just build it and try it out for a season, sure beats boiling out in the snow and rain! You can always put a cupola in later...
    Good luck with the new digs.
    John Allin

    14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
    Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
    Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
    Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
    CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
    06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
    14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
    Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
    7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Charlotte County, New Brunswick
    Posts
    105

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    I had both gable ends open this season and I still had quite a bit of moisture dripping down. I only have a small evaporator, 18X36, in an 8X9 Shack with a very low pitched metal roof. I'm hoping to have a steam hood with a stack going out the roof for next year. When it was damp and rainy out, the "rain" inside was worse. I only had a couple boils on a nice day and it did vent better on those days.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

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    Cupola all the way. If you're doing 72 hour boils then you're suffering enough.
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Rock Creek, NC
    Posts
    5,807

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    Build a cupola and make that building look like the sugar house that it's going to be. You're probably going to find that the steam isn't going to vent well anyway.
    Russ

    "Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!

    1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
    A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
    Four chainsaws and no chickens!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Manchester Maine
    Posts
    127

    Default

    Build a cupola you will like the look and it makes it look like a sugar shack and the steam will rise on most days out the cupola
    Backyard sapper

    Mason 2X4 XL with blower
    12x24 post and beam shack
    30 taps on 5-Gallon buckets
    134 taps on tubing into the shack
    15-30 gallons a year for family and friends

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