Using a divided pan as a flat pan.

[DrTimPerkins]

I can't imagine ever walking away from a boiling pan, but sounds like you like to multi-task to save time.

Just in case, here are some threads that might help save some time later on.

http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...Evaporator-Pan
http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...ng-a-burnt-pan
http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...ng-what-too-do

[ecolbeck]

Sounds to me like he’s putting in a large excess of sap that far exceeds the fire’s ability to evaporate while he’s a away. No chance of burning the pan.

[Trapper2]

Thanks Tim, I will read.
Exactly Ecobeck, I have a 20 gallon tank that is sitting on top dribbling in at about 5-7 gallons an hour. I only produce about 20 gallons a year. So I guess this is what has been working for me. I was just wondering if I needed to treat a divided pan different than a flat.

[DrTimPerkins]

Sounds to me like he’s putting in a large excess of sap that far exceeds the fire’s ability to evaporate while he’s a away. No chance of burning the pan.

Yes, I understand that...and it will work out as long as there is a HUGE margin of safety built in (particularly the first several times after switching to a new pan). My post was partly in jest. However NOBODY who has ever burnt up a pan THOUGHT they were going to burn a pan before it happened.

[eustis22]

"Shed Hunting"

I didn't know it was Shed Season!! I gotta get my license!

[johnallin]

Pretty sure he’s looking for deer racks that have been “shed”.
No license required...

[Trapper2]

Pretty sure he’s looking for deer racks that have been “shed”.
No license required...

395.jpg Correct you are John.

[SeanD]

Ha, ha! Who's really doing the hunting?! Great picture.

As for the fill and walk away, I have variations of that on maple weekend when there are lots of people, lots of questions, and lots of distractions. I go super deep and load up with wood. You get a sense of how long things will last after a few times. The wood always runs out before the sap does. I go really really deep. Sometimes it's hard to get it started again.

The other time I do it is at shut down. While I don't load it up with wood before I leave, I do flood it, bring the back pan to a boil and finish (sometimes start) cleanup. By the time I walk away, it's still simmering, but still deep. I was nervous the first number of times letting it go for the night, but now it's a perk getting some free evaporation time. Leave when there's 2+" and start the next day when there is a little less than 1". To get to that level of comfort, I was leaving it a lot deeper than 2". Then I got a sense of how much evaporates overnight and gradually dropped to the tops of the gates which is 2".

[eustis22]

You mean I shot my neighbors shed for nothing???? Too bad...I always admired that one.

[berkshires]

Attachment 20513Attachment 20514Attachment 20515

These pictures are to give you an idea what I'm currently doing on a 3X4 pan and arch.

If I'm seeing it right, it looks like there's no firebrick or insulation. When you get the fire really ripping with the blower on, the arch must be glowing pretty good, and you (and kids/dogs) would have to be careful, eh?

My current home-made arch has no insulation, and it's all bowed out and warped to hell. I would never do that again on another arch.

GO