My plan 2022/23

[DRoseum]

Yes raised flue & syrup pan sets require 2 float boxes. A drop flue and syrup pan set uses only 1 float box.

[Swingpure]

Yes raised flue & syrup pan sets require 2 float boxes. A drop flue and syrup pan set uses only 1 float box.

Thanks. I read on another thread that a raised flue is preferable to a drop flue, although I guess at the least it is more expensive simply because you have to have two float boxes.

If I was ever to chose a drop flue, I would have to redesign my evaporator, which would not be a big deal.

I should be satisfied with the divided pan, but seeing a potential 2 to 2.5 times increase in boiling rate is attractive.

Before I get too far ahead of myself, I will see what my pan builder has to say. He may not even have time in his schedule to bipuild a more complicated pan for me.

[Pdiamond]

yes. you need two float boxes, one for incoming sap, one for outgoing to the finish pan, and that also controls your depth in the front syrup pan.

[Swingpure]

I spoke with my pan builder and we decided I will stick with the divided pan. He cannot tell me when I will receive the new pan and base stack and accessories, but absolutely promises I will get them before the start of the maple season.

Our snow is virtually all gone, but more snow is expected late tomorrow, brought in by a November gale. I will have to check my lines for fallen branches or trees after the expected strong winds. True cold weather arrives around December 7th and it looks like winter will finally start then.

[Andy VT]

I should be satisfied with the divided pan, but seeing a potential 2 to 2.5 times increase in boiling rate is attractive. Before I get too far ahead of myself, I will see what my pan builder has to say. He may not even have time in his schedule to build a more complicated pan for me.

To the notion of being satisfied with something in maple, I offer the following thought:
"Muwhahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!"

[Swingpure]

To the notion of being satisfied with something in maple, I offer the following thought:
"Muwhahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!"

LOL

Actually I addressed not being satisfied this summer, when I built a new structure for my evaporator, and followed suggestions to move to a divided pan with a float box, added a base stack, went to an 8” stove pipe and built a better cinder block evaporator. I also have better seasoned wood, more finely split, and I added a fan to blow air under the grate and likely will buy a better fan. I had my RO pump repaired and made improvements to my DYI vacuum filter.

In my discussion today with the builder, cost was a factor in the final decision. Two things though stood out to me was he told me about the potential of my divided pan. On his very good evaporators, he gets 15+ gph out of it, but the other thing was he asked me if I would ever do more than 172 taps and I said no. At that moment in my mind, I thought that the land I have added 75 taps to, can be taken away from me after any season, and I would be down to under 100 taps and then my need for better, faster will not be as great.

If after this season and if it is a successful one and I am not satisfied and want more, and I get some kind of guarantee, I can use the land for two or three years, I will take a hard look at getting a real evaporator, but that would be a big commitment and I am getting closer to 70. (Not there yet, just turned 67). Although 70 is the new 50, running many taps, all by myself, will start to get more challenging, so maybe going bigger is not the realistic move. But that is many decisions down the road.

[Pdiamond]

I'll agree Andy, and second the motion.

[berkshires]

I have watched some other evaporator videos, mostly to look at the pans, but in almost case I noticed how full they stacked the firebox

Looks like you deleted the link you had to the Smoky Lake video? I have it saved, so I don't need that one. But I'm curious which other videos you might be looking at. I was also surprised at how full the firebox was in the Smoky Lake video and I'd like to see other examples.

GO

[Swingpure]

Looks like you deleted the link you had to the Smoky Lake video? I have it saved, so I don't need that one. But I'm curious which other videos you might be looking at. I was also surprised at how full the firebox was in the Smoky Lake video and I'd like to see other examples.

GO

I am away from home right now but here is the link to the original video and a link to a second one. On the second one it is right near the end of the video you see them loading the firebox.

https://youtu.be/HQPYXBiGheM

https://youtu.be/uCeFBikLvtE

There were some others but I will have to search for them later.

[Andy VT]

I think you deleted a whiplash post
In your defense you are a stream-of-consciousness poster. Just part of the charm. My stream of consciousness is probably just as back-and-forth... I'm just not fast enough to write it down before it switches -- usually.
Wise to be considering age and resources.
Also, I think recognizing that satisfaction isn't ultimately attainable in a sugaring setup helps keep things in check. If the four-digit operation doesn't quite satisfy and the 5-digit or even 6-digit operation doesn't quite satisfy, the difference is how many digits you have tied up in it!
I have to check my receipts, but I think I'm still a 3-digit operation... but barely. At least my yearly losses will be kept within 3 digits. If my time is free.
Oh, and your homemade arch is really lovely. If you find you have a bit more resource, it would greatly benefit from a real door!
Andy