Hobby Evaporator as Wood Stove

[Kmb]

Anybody use a hobby evaporator (Halfpint, Mason, Starcat, etc.) as a wood stove when not making syrup?

I have a stainless cover for my Halfpint (14 or 16 gauge custom) and I'm considering using it (with a gasket and blocks on the corners to hold it down) to heat the shed while working out there until the sap starts running. Wonder if anyone's done something similar?

[Andy VT]

Interesting! No, I haven't done it, and in fact I've never even had my own real evaporator like that, but it does seem like the worst that could happen is you warp your cover, which I think is pretty likely actually, but you'll no doubt be keeping your fire much calmer than if you were trying to boil sap. Won't be super-efficient since the sides will be insulated and there's probably no damper, etc, but it would certainly be warmer in there than without it, with potential for getting too warm. Definitely don't try it without the insulation because the sides of these units aren't meant to see flames. The exception would be the evap-o-grill which would be a worse evaporator but a better wood stove than the other evaporators you mention. In any of these cases I wouldn't leave it unattended until you are very familiar with what happens.

[Vtmbz]

Your cover will,get all sooty and nasty, so find an alternate cover. Thin gauge will release more heat.

[ADK_XJ]

I’ve had this same thought many times as I use an old 275 gallon oil drum as my arch…my thought would be to add a piece of 10 ga steel over the top where the pan would normally go, that way it can handle the direct flame and you don’t care if it gets dirty.