To R.O. or not to R.O. that is the question
I have watched and read so many threads on the use, running and building of R.O. units. What I was wondering is how everyone makes that decision to use an R.O.
What is your rationalization and requirements.
Is the primary reason that, I want to reduce boiling time?
I want to be more efficient, my boiling time is limited and I can run the R.O. while working or doing other things.
What other justifications are there? To me it seems that the primary rational is time, is that right? Also, I can see you can use smaller evaporators, but I think this is a wash when you add the cost of a R.O. to your operation you could buy a bigger unit with that money.
I have wondered if I can justify an R.O.? Here are my yay and nays to getting an R.O.
A.) My evaporator can run 15-17 GPH at peak efficiency, but averages 13-14 on most days. both yay and nay
B.) I have 130 taps and big runs can turn into 12-14 hr days or more. yay ( these overwhelming runs happen maybe two to three days a year)
C.) I am retired and have the time, but long days get old. yay and Nay
D.) I really am a hobby producer and try to keep expenses low. Nay
E.) An R.O. would be the second most expensive thing in my shack and my time is cheap. Nay (expense is probably the no. 1 nay)
F.) More work maintaining the R.O. in an unheated shack and operational maintenance. Nay (this would be my second ranked nay)
G.) BY the time I wait on an R.O. to get enough sap run to start up I could have been cooking for a couple hrs. Nay
So at the end of the day I have decided to not use an R.O. and probably won't. Am I missing something? Just curious what went into others decision making processes.
125-150 taps
Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
Modified half pint arch
Air over fire
All 3/16 tubing
Southern Ohio