Cupola direction

[BoerBoel]

I have a 10x16 shack. The ridge beam runs across the 10 ft section of the shack. I have a 2x6 evaporator that will be running perpendicular to the ridge beam.

If I put the cupola over the ridge beam (perpendicular to the evaporator, will this be an issue?
How big of an opening should I have for the cupola with a 2x6 evaporator? Is 3x8 sufficient or oversized? And should the size change if it is perpendicular to the evaporator?

[SeanD]

I'm having a hard time picturing it. Is the cupola parallel to the ridge beam or parallel to the rafters? Is the cupola centered on the peak or is the cupola (and evaporator below) off to the side?

Either way, in terms of steam removal, the direction of the cupola won't matter. In terms of sizing, the rule of thumb is to have an opening that is equal to or greater than the surface area of the evaporator. A 3x8 opening should be fine assuming you have doors on both sides of the cupola. I think my opening is 4x8 for my 2x6. If you have a 2x6 door on each side of the cupola, you will have double the surface area of the evaporator to exhaust the steam to the outside. More is better if you can do it because sometimes you might not be able to open both doors fully if the rain is whipping in from one side.

[BoerBoel]

I'm having a hard time picturing it. Is the cupola parallel to the ridge beam or parallel to the rafters? Is the cupola centered on the peak or is the cupola (and evaporator below) off to the side?

Thanks for the feedback.
I was thinking of having the cuploa parallel to the ridge beam. Having it the other way, might not look right and would probably be harder to build.
I hadn't really put any thought on it being centered or not. Esthetically, it might be better to have the cupola centered...functionally I don't think it would make much of a difference being it will be approximately 7 ft wide on a 10 ft wide shed.

[SeanD]

Yeah, you won't have any issues with that.

[ennismaple]

I agree that you just build it parallel to the ridge beam. Your 2x6 is small enough that it won't matter if the pan is perpendicular to the ridge beam. Our pans are offset about 4 feet to one side of the peak and the steam still exits the cupola without issue.

[BoerBoel]

I agree that you just build it parallel to the ridge beam. Your 2x6 is small enough that it won't matter if the pan is perpendicular to the ridge beam. Our pans are offset about 4 feet to one side of the peak and the steam still exits the cupola without issue.

Thanks for the feedback. I will put the cupola parallel to the ridge beam then. This is what I figured, but it's always good to check with everyone here.

My original plan was to have a bigger shack but things have changed slightly and now the plan is to have several smaller shacks close together.

[eustis22]

a bunch of shacks?

[BoerBoel]

Yes, a couple of shacks. One for boiling and one for finishing to start with.
By keeping the shacks size down, I'm able to avoid permits and am able to do a lot of the work by myself with less help from others. It mostly me that does all of it.build, setup, gather, boil and finish. Others come for the social side of things.

[bigschuss]

Yes, a couple of shacks. One for boiling and one for finishing to start with.
By keeping the shacks size down, I'm able to avoid permits and am able to do a lot of the work by myself with less help from others. It mostly me that does all of it.build, setup, gather, boil and finish. Others come for the social side of things.

Any way you can add on to your existing 10x16? If you build more small shacks that's a lot more roofing material, doors, windows, siding, site work and foundation prep, electricity, etc.

You mentioned the social aspect of your operation. You're going to have everybody move from shack to shack?

I'd just pull the permits so you can boil and finish and gather with your friends all in the same building where all of your equipment and tools and supplies are centrally located. One larger building is going to be much less work and less expensive and less maintenance than many small ones.

[BoerBoel]

The shacks will be beside each other so not like it would be far to go. A somewhat covered walkway (3ft) between the 2 buildings. By not touching they are separate small sheds that do not need permits. I understand about the advantage of a large shack but small ones are easier to build one at a time. Budget wise it allows me to spread out the expense. I won't be building a village , just likely 2 sheds.