From propane and pots to a new evaporator.

[Pdiamond]

SRM ask them about using Northstar Leasing Company for your purchase of the pan sets. You can make a monthly lease payment at a lower cost and have what you want which will keep your wife happy. Ask for Jason Butkus at Northstar.

[ecp]

my 2 cents are a larger rig isn't a bad idea. That being said a Small RO is money much better spent and time saved. I'd think a 2x4 hybrid feeding it with 10% could keep up with 200 taps. Could be wrong with evaporation rates, but once you go to and RO you will not go back to Raw sap

[SRM]

my 2 cents are a larger rig isn't a bad idea. That being said a Small RO is money much better spent and time saved. I'd think a 2x4 hybrid feeding it with 10% could keep up with 200 taps. Could be wrong with evaporation rates, but once you go to and RO you will not go back to Raw sap

Yea, I just checked the price on a better pan and it jumps about 2k. I think I'll invest in an RO system or try to make one myself. I have to build a sugar shack and will make it big enough for growth if all goes well. Thanks for the advice.

[ecp]

Sounds like you will have a busy off season. Enjoy it you'll be happy with an RO.

[jrgagne99]

Plus +1 on the RO

[maple flats]

Just to let you know how my early years went and from what others say, it's not unusual. I started with a 2x3 flat pan in year 1, a 2x6 in year 2-5, and a 3x8 in year 6-present. I built my sugarhouse after yr 1 and used it in yr 2-present. When I built I thought I'd never out grow my 16x24 sugarhouse, I was wrong. It is crowded for sure. I often wished I had built it either 20x30 or 24x36.
Plan ahead! In my sugarhouse I have a 3x8 evaporator, 2 chest freezers, an RO in an insulated room with a wall furnace, A filter press, a Water jacketed canner, A 2x6 finisher, a micro wave, a SS sink, a tankless water heater and a section with my solar equipment, and finally a rolling bakery multi shelf rack I use when bottling syrup. During the season, I also keep a wood rack filled with firewood. It is crowded for sure. I often drew up plans to add an addition, but life always got in the way. It would have been much easier had I built a 24x36 in the beginning and the cost per S.F. gets somewhat lower as the size increases.