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Thread: From propane and pots to a new evaporator.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Amity, PA
    Posts
    34

    Default From propane and pots to a new evaporator.

    I just put money down on a new Corsair Evaporator with a 2x4 divided pan by Smoky Lake Maple Products. I'm excited and can't wait till next year to see how it goes! All I know is that it has to be better than the 1 gallon per hour boil that I got this year by using a 5 gallon pot with propane. Everyone here says this hobby can become an addiction. They are right, I just didn't think it would happen so quickly. Now I have to find someone to build a sugar shack for me before next winter, any volunteers?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Wakefield,New Hampshire
    Posts
    504

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    Congrats on the new upgrades and taking the leap, you won't regret it. Have you already figured out how many taps you can put in on your property for when the addiction take over?
    6th season solo sugar maker in a young sugar bush of mostly red maples
    320 taps
    2x6 self built arch, Flat pans w/ dividers
    New 12x16 sugar house
    CDL hobby 250 RO

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Amity, PA
    Posts
    34

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    I'm going from this year's 26 to 76 or maybe 100 taps next year. Then depending on how the evaporator does, I will tap the other side of the hill. I'm guessing not more than 200 taps total. I do have relatives as neighbors and they said earlier this year I could tap their trees too.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Wakefield,New Hampshire
    Posts
    504

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    That's a nice jump in taps from one season to the next. It's also nice having more taps available nearby in the future. Best of luck getting it all set up. 2022 season will be here in no time.
    6th season solo sugar maker in a young sugar bush of mostly red maples
    320 taps
    2x6 self built arch, Flat pans w/ dividers
    New 12x16 sugar house
    CDL hobby 250 RO

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Cornwall, CT
    Posts
    356

    Default

    Oh, just buy a 4'x8' now and get it over with.
    I bought 3 evaporators in 3 years when I first started this....
    1980 - 6 taps, stone fire pit, drain pan evaporator, 1 pint of syrup
    2016 - 55 taps on 3/16 and gravity, new sugar shack, 2x3 Mason XL, 16 gallons of syrup
    2017 - 170 taps on 3/16, 2x4 Mason XL, NextGen RO. 50 gallons of syrup
    2018 - 250+ taps on gravity and buckets, 2x5 Smokey Lake arch and Beaverland pan.
    2019 - 250+ taps on gravity. A few buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
    2020 - 300+ taps on gravity. 50 gallons of syrup.
    2021 - 280 taps on gravity and 40 buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Nashville, MI
    Posts
    939

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    Check with your local amish builders. 12 x 16 and you'll be all set.
    2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
    2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
    2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
    2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
    made 17 gal. syrup
    2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
    2021 - Didn't work out
    2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Nashville, MI
    Posts
    939

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    SRM just read your second post.. If you are thinking about expanding beyond the 100 taps, you;ll probably want to think about getting the raised flue pan and front syrup pan set for the arch. Make sure you have lots of wood because it does boil really hard and likes to eat wood frequently. My set-up will boil minimum of 40 gph more if I really stoke the fire. I do not use an R.O. just straight sap.
    2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
    2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
    2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
    2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
    made 17 gal. syrup
    2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
    2021 - Didn't work out
    2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    New Hartford, N.Y.
    Posts
    2,091

    Default

    Congrats on the new rig. It's always fun getting bigger and better equipment! But I also have to agree with the last two posters. If expanding, and possibly more expanding (which is how it's probably going to go. I've been there...) a bigger rig won't be a bad thing. Your going to add taps and before long your going to be saying what you were saying with the pots. "I need more evaporation capacity!".

    Steve
    2014 Upgrades!: 24x40 sugarhouse & 30"x10' Lapierre welded pans, wood fired w/ forced draft, homemade hood & preheater
    400 taps- half on gravity 5/16, half on gravity 3/16
    Airablo R.O. machine - in the house basement!
    Ford F-350 4x4 sap gatherer
    An assortment of barrels, cage tanks & bulk tanks- with one operational for cooling/holding concentrate
    And a few puzzled neighbors...

    http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/t...uckethead1920/

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Amity, PA
    Posts
    34

    Default

    Ok, its Easter and I'm thinking of getting a quote for the raised flu pan for the Corsair instead of the divided pan I put money on.
    You guys aren't helping my marriage much.😅

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    25

    Default

    That corsair arch is half the investment, the pan(s) are the second. I'd suggest at a minimum the 2x4 hybrid pan, with the raised flue/syrup pan being the better, but also more expensive setup. The 2x4 divided pan will have trouble keeping up with that many taps.
    Have fun! Pete

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