Optimal quantity of sap?

[traderzach]

What's the optimal quantity of sap needed in a pan? Will the boiling rate be higher if i keep 3 inches of sap in my pan versus 6 inches? By the way we have two (17 x 23 inches, flat bottoms) pans.

Also, how much space should we have between our rear pan and my arch....I think we have to much space and that's why we're not having a hard boil on our second pan.

Thanks guys!

[Peepers]

How tall are you pans? How deep to run is personal preference but lots of factors to think about - shallower will boil easier (more heat available for quantity of sap) but will run dry faster too if not watched closer. Deeper can risk foaming over or sap jumping out (at a crazy boil) if your sides aren't tall enough. The main thing is to keep the sap boiling like crazy so you can evap as much water as possible. Everybody's rig is a little different so experimentation is key.

It will take some reading but there are lots of threads lately about people experimenting with the air space under their rear pan, adding baffles to keep some heat in, etc. A lot of variables there too, natural draft, forced air, size of stack, etc.

This is my first year with a stack that I rigged up so I'll be experimenting as well. Last couple years I just built a fire in some cement blocks, put a turkey fryer pot the first year and a welded shut sink last year on them and used the prevailing wind as my draft. Only producing a few gallons a year of syrup for friends and family I'm not too concerned with eeking out every bit of efficiency - yet!

good luck, have fun and I hope you get lots of good sap!

[Gravel]

Its risk vs reward, if you run your level lower you will boil it off quicker but you will also take the chance of burning your pan like we all have done!