@NHlocal I'm pretty sure I did follow up, but I got real busy once things got under way as I was going to school fulltime and sugaring 12-16 hours every 2 or 3 days as well. But, to sum it up, the evap held up fine, it boils about 12 gph, and I can finish right on it using the front pan. I can only do about 2-3 gallons though as the pans aren't quite deep enough for more.
@NHlocal Drawback is sugar burned on the sides of the pans. It cuts down on the amount of end product. My sap was 2-3% but I was only getting results of 1.5-2% sap due to wasted/ burned sugar. I'd like to get a large flat pan, with a smaller front finishing pan, and a preheater. I bet it would evap at an even higher rate and I'd get more end product. The quality of the syrup was great though, failry light with only a few dark batches I beleive due to sap quality, folks liked dark best.
@sebby42603 These are 4" deep steam table pans, full size. Which IIRC is 18x22". But, I'd recommend getting the 6" deep pans instead. You can get them from restaurant liqidators. Try Craigslist, that's where I found mine. These guys buy out failing restaurants and sell the stuff at discount.
If you could afford it and were planning on doing it every year I'd recommend buying a good pan with a draw off valve, and maybe even a preheat or finishing pan depending on how you want to go.
I used turkey fryers and they did not work well 14 hours to boil off 43 gallons We have old oil tanks and will be building like yours. How deep are the pans? Did you move the fire bricks around. Its such fun. Family,kids neighbors involved. Awesome videos. First batch came out great. Remind the audience 7 degrees above boil. Great job. We are in upstate NY South of Rochester. Thanks for the insight . When do you take it from one pan to the other
@123iamaskier The pans are 4", I'd recommend 6" if you can find them. I have deepened the firebox to around 27" and backed it with plain cinder blocks to save money on firebrick. I also placed some split firebrick and pavers on to of the ramp that leads back to the smokestack. I move the sap, 2 mugs at a time from the rear to the front pans in a continuous process starting with the front pan and moving rearward; 2 scoops, 2 scoops, 2 scoops, feed a few sticks in the fire, skim foam, repeat.
I used turkey fryers and they did not work well 14 hours to boil off 43 gallons We have old oil tanks and will be building like yours. How deep are the pans? Did you move the fire bricks around. Its such fun. Family,kids neighbors involved. Awesome videos. First batch came out great. Remind the audience 7 degrees above boil. Great job. We are in upstate NY South of Rochester. Thanks for the insight
@jacobman1521 It's possible, but the heat is pretty intense and the aluminum roasting pans are pretty flimsy, so it may be hard removing them from the evaporator. I used one on a Coleman stove last year though, and it worked ok, but was real slow.
I hope you keep us posted on how the boiler holds up to the heat, I know my first 2 didnt last more then 2 years, thats why I went with the commercial water heater, its 1/4 inch steel, tis year the top all warped, so today I am gonna fix that, but, thanks to your video, I am gonna make a few adjustments to the way the pans are siting. It got cold here so we are waiting for more sap, gives me something to do haha.
Great Vid, some good ideas to, my wife and I have been doing it for 10 years, I think half the fun is in making the boiler, I have made 3 so far, the last was made with a 200 gallon water heater.
Great idea there. HOwever, I wouldn't have cut the hole in the fuel oil tank, much more heat would be retained and you could just set the pans on top of the tank and this would keep the bottom of your pans clean. This is my plan for next year, this year however, I'm cooking my sap down in pans.
@rubbnsmoke Thanks for the tip, but, unfortunately, you're wrong. :) We're looking for maximim heat transfer to the pans, not allowing the flames to lick the pans will make it very difficult for the pans to boil. I'd suggest ensuring the flames lick the pans or you will be at it forever trying to boil off sap. We don't care if the pans are clean, we want sap to boil fast. The steel I cut out would only act as a layer of insulation against the pans. All evaporators have the flames licking the pan
@rubbnsmoke Hey, I didn't want to seem rude with that last response, and I do appreciate the comment, but I thought it was important to point out that the flames must lick the pans for max efficiency. Otherwise you'll be wasting wood and it will not boil nearly as well, if at all
Im not being critical of you brother...But this seems like a big investment, for a once a year product. Is this a business for you, or just for personal use?
@MrOneleggedjosh I don't think you're being critical at all. It's just a hobby, not that big an investment though, not sure where you get that from. I've done everything quite economically and the equipment I bought and built will last for years. Once setup the only real investment is time and wood to burn, and something to bottle it in.
I've seen people spend more on gear that sits on a shelf or in a closet, my stuff all gets used and provides return.
I guess i was assuming it was alot of money because it is very well made, quality looking stuff. I agree with the "shelf gear" comment. All my stuff gets dirty too brother. I hope you enjoy your syrup, and have a ton of fun making it! Its better than sitting in front of the TV thats for sure. Boil on bro, boil on!
@MrOneleggedjosh Thanks! FYI, a typical hobby evaporator costs 1000 bucks without firebrick, which adds another 120 bucks or so to the price. My setup cost 170 with firebricks and it makes syrup just as fast and just as tasty. That was kind of the point of this vid, to show that you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to produce quality maple syrup in your own backyard.
@bobinmissouri Your wish is my command, LOL! I should be collecting in two or three days and hopefully will be boiling by Friday. The sap was flowing good once it warmed up today.
Sweet machine
I've been using two of those pans on a Double propane stove. Cost alot for for a couple gallons but it alot of fun.
conantdog 1 week ago
@conantdog Ya, propane is costly and it is a lot of fun making syrup. this one is pretty efficient given what it is.
Thanks for watching and for the feedback,
Roosevelt
MiWilderness 1 week ago
First of all, thanks for posting the video, well done. That looks like a good low
cost evaporator. I didn't look at any of your other posts, did you follow up with
how the evaporator worked/held up over the sapping season? Brings back
memories of boiling sap with my Dad and brothers when we were all a WHOLE
lot younger (hahaha). What do you have for land/ trees to work with? I'm subscribing
to see your follow up this coming sapping season. Thanks again for the video.
Work safe.
NHlocal.
NHlocal 1 month ago
@NHlocal I'm pretty sure I did follow up, but I got real busy once things got under way as I was going to school fulltime and sugaring 12-16 hours every 2 or 3 days as well. But, to sum it up, the evap held up fine, it boils about 12 gph, and I can finish right on it using the front pan. I can only do about 2-3 gallons though as the pans aren't quite deep enough for more.
MiWilderness 1 month ago
@NHlocal Drawback is sugar burned on the sides of the pans. It cuts down on the amount of end product. My sap was 2-3% but I was only getting results of 1.5-2% sap due to wasted/ burned sugar. I'd like to get a large flat pan, with a smaller front finishing pan, and a preheater. I bet it would evap at an even higher rate and I'd get more end product. The quality of the syrup was great though, failry light with only a few dark batches I beleive due to sap quality, folks liked dark best.
MiWilderness 1 month ago
@NHlocal Forgot to mention I just have about 15 trees that folks in the area let me tap. 30 taps in all
MiWilderness 1 month ago
@MiWilderness That's a pretty good yield for 30 taps.
Thanks for the quick response. Looking forward to your
future posts :) :) :)
NHlocal 1 month ago
what size are your pans on your evaporator - what are they called- where did you get them?
sebby42603 2 months ago
@sebby42603 These are 4" deep steam table pans, full size. Which IIRC is 18x22". But, I'd recommend getting the 6" deep pans instead. You can get them from restaurant liqidators. Try Craigslist, that's where I found mine. These guys buy out failing restaurants and sell the stuff at discount.
If you could afford it and were planning on doing it every year I'd recommend buying a good pan with a draw off valve, and maybe even a preheat or finishing pan depending on how you want to go.
MiWilderness 2 months ago
Nice. my experiment did not work.
phemmeke 10 months ago
@phemmeke Thanks! Try, try again. Experimenting is what it's all about to me. i'll be making small changes next year to this one as well.
MiWilderness 10 months ago
I used turkey fryers and they did not work well 14 hours to boil off 43 gallons We have old oil tanks and will be building like yours. How deep are the pans? Did you move the fire bricks around. Its such fun. Family,kids neighbors involved. Awesome videos. First batch came out great. Remind the audience 7 degrees above boil. Great job. We are in upstate NY South of Rochester. Thanks for the insight . When do you take it from one pan to the other
123iamaskier 11 months ago
@123iamaskier The pans are 4", I'd recommend 6" if you can find them. I have deepened the firebox to around 27" and backed it with plain cinder blocks to save money on firebrick. I also placed some split firebrick and pavers on to of the ramp that leads back to the smokestack. I move the sap, 2 mugs at a time from the rear to the front pans in a continuous process starting with the front pan and moving rearward; 2 scoops, 2 scoops, 2 scoops, feed a few sticks in the fire, skim foam, repeat.
MiWilderness 11 months ago
I used turkey fryers and they did not work well 14 hours to boil off 43 gallons We have old oil tanks and will be building like yours. How deep are the pans? Did you move the fire bricks around. Its such fun. Family,kids neighbors involved. Awesome videos. First batch came out great. Remind the audience 7 degrees above boil. Great job. We are in upstate NY South of Rochester. Thanks for the insight
123iamaskier 11 months ago
Can you use those aluminum roasting pans for this?
jacobman1521 11 months ago
@jacobman1521 It's possible, but the heat is pretty intense and the aluminum roasting pans are pretty flimsy, so it may be hard removing them from the evaporator. I used one on a Coleman stove last year though, and it worked ok, but was real slow.
MiWilderness 11 months ago
I hope you keep us posted on how the boiler holds up to the heat, I know my first 2 didnt last more then 2 years, thats why I went with the commercial water heater, its 1/4 inch steel, tis year the top all warped, so today I am gonna fix that, but, thanks to your video, I am gonna make a few adjustments to the way the pans are siting. It got cold here so we are waiting for more sap, gives me something to do haha.
Thanks again.
inthecountry1973 11 months ago
Great Vid, some good ideas to, my wife and I have been doing it for 10 years, I think half the fun is in making the boiler, I have made 3 so far, the last was made with a 200 gallon water heater.
inthecountry1973 11 months ago
@inthecountry1973 Thanks, making the stuff is definitely part of the fun for me.
MiWilderness 11 months ago
Great idea there. HOwever, I wouldn't have cut the hole in the fuel oil tank, much more heat would be retained and you could just set the pans on top of the tank and this would keep the bottom of your pans clean. This is my plan for next year, this year however, I'm cooking my sap down in pans.
rubbnsmoke 11 months ago
@rubbnsmoke Thanks for the tip, but, unfortunately, you're wrong. :) We're looking for maximim heat transfer to the pans, not allowing the flames to lick the pans will make it very difficult for the pans to boil. I'd suggest ensuring the flames lick the pans or you will be at it forever trying to boil off sap. We don't care if the pans are clean, we want sap to boil fast. The steel I cut out would only act as a layer of insulation against the pans. All evaporators have the flames licking the pan
MiWilderness 11 months ago
@rubbnsmoke Hey, I didn't want to seem rude with that last response, and I do appreciate the comment, but I thought it was important to point out that the flames must lick the pans for max efficiency. Otherwise you'll be wasting wood and it will not boil nearly as well, if at all
MiWilderness 11 months ago
Im not being critical of you brother...But this seems like a big investment, for a once a year product. Is this a business for you, or just for personal use?
MrOneleggedjosh 11 months ago
@MrOneleggedjosh I don't think you're being critical at all. It's just a hobby, not that big an investment though, not sure where you get that from. I've done everything quite economically and the equipment I bought and built will last for years. Once setup the only real investment is time and wood to burn, and something to bottle it in.
I've seen people spend more on gear that sits on a shelf or in a closet, my stuff all gets used and provides return.
MiWilderness 11 months ago
@MiWilderness
I guess i was assuming it was alot of money because it is very well made, quality looking stuff. I agree with the "shelf gear" comment. All my stuff gets dirty too brother. I hope you enjoy your syrup, and have a ton of fun making it! Its better than sitting in front of the TV thats for sure. Boil on bro, boil on!
MrOneleggedjosh 11 months ago
@MrOneleggedjosh Thanks! FYI, a typical hobby evaporator costs 1000 bucks without firebrick, which adds another 120 bucks or so to the price. My setup cost 170 with firebricks and it makes syrup just as fast and just as tasty. That was kind of the point of this vid, to show that you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to produce quality maple syrup in your own backyard.
MiWilderness 11 months ago
Looks Great. Noth'n like homemade maple syrup. Oh man I want pancakes ;-) Thanx for the post..
neonightkiller 1 year ago
@neonightkiller Thanks, and you're welcome!
MiWilderness 11 months ago
Oh yes: a demo on how to tap a maple would be great!!
steintanz 1 year ago
very cool can you do a video on tapping a tree and collecting sap? please love your videos
bobinmissouri 1 year ago
@bobinmissouri Your wish is my command, LOL! I should be collecting in two or three days and hopefully will be boiling by Friday. The sap was flowing good once it warmed up today.
MiWilderness 1 year ago