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Thread: Woodstove as evaporator

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
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    South Central PA (Fayetteville)
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    Default Woodstove as evaporator

    I’m a few years in now and am moving from our gas grill, to my wife’s delight, to another heat source. I like the convenience of propane and just purchased a 367K btu (advertised) 18” propane cooker ($87 from Big Orange). I’m considering using it in a firebrick lined woodstove with a large-enough flat top to hold the pan. If I can elevate the cooker inside the woodstove so it nearly touches the inside top of the stove would the heat transfer be enough for a decent boil? I realize the best case is for the bottom of the pan to directly contact the heat source but thinking this setup might be good enough. Thanks in advance!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
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    Nashville, MI
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    You are correct in your one statement that the heat source should be in direct contact with the pan. You will get a much better evaporation rate that way. If there is any way to make this happen I would do it.
    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

  3. #3
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    Thank you pdiamond! I found a video of a guy on YouTube who tried this with less than good results. Then another who used a woodstove and cut out the top so the pan was in direct contact with the heat. I think I know what I’m going to do!

  4. #4
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    Mar 2016
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    chester, ma
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    Quote Originally Posted by PHSINV View Post
    Thank you pdiamond! I found a video of a guy on YouTube who tried this with less than good results. Then another who used a woodstove and cut out the top so the pan was in direct contact with the heat. I think I know what I’m going to do!
    My first arch was a wood stove with the top cut out. Worked fine for a while, but I didn't insulate it, and after a few years it warped beyond the point of usability.

    GO
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

  5. #5
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    Thank you! It occurred to me in the last few days I should insulate it - planning on using ceramic insulation or fire bricks or both.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    Bricks don’t insulate.
    William
    950 taps
    3 X 12 Thor pans on a Brian Arch
    CDL 600 expandable

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2009
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    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
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    You’ll see that those large BTU propane cookers are very inefficient and the output varies considerably. As they release gas at a high rate the orifice freezes up, slowing down the heat. It’ll then thaw and speed up again, which causes another freeze-up. Dialing it down a bit helps prevent this cycling. Putting up even a modest windscreen will also help the heat transfer efficiency quite a lot. Regardless, be prepared to go through a good bit of propane.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  8. #8
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    Thanks Dr. Tim! I’m going to have it in the woodstove inside my sugar shack, which is in the woods so wind should’ve an issue. Since I’m not relying on a wood fire I’m going to presume I won’t need a stack for draft.

  9. #9
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    Feb 2013
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    Volney, NY
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    Quote Originally Posted by wiam View Post
    Bricks don’t insulate.
    The insulating properties of firebricks are:
    Thermal Conductivity 300°C : 0.2 W/m.°K
    Thermal Conductivity 750°C : 0.28 W/m.°K
    Thermal Conductivity 1000°C : 0.32 W/m.°K

    You could place your hand on the unheated side of one that is 3” thick even if the heated side were 500°C

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    Quote Originally Posted by Daveg View Post
    The insulating properties of firebricks are:
    Thermal Conductivity 300°C : 0.2 W/m.°K
    Thermal Conductivity 750°C : 0.28 W/m.°K
    Thermal Conductivity 1000°C : 0.32 W/m.°K

    You could place your hand on the unheated side of one that is 3” thick even if the heated side were 500°C
    Sounds like someone that has not got burned on the outside of an arch with just firebricks that has been running for several hours.
    William
    950 taps
    3 X 12 Thor pans on a Brian Arch
    CDL 600 expandable

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