Building DIY - Cheap/Free - Maple Syrup Evaporator (Start-to-Finish)

I turn an discarded old oil drum reservoir normally used for home heating into a wood boiler, evaporator which I will use turn sap into delicious maple syrup.
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"Self-Reliance" is an 1841 essay written by American transcendentalist philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. It contains the most thorough statement of one of Emerson's recurrent themes: the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow his own instincts and ideas. This channel will approach self reliance from a modern perspective. and will focus on various build projects using modern amenities, and tools to build a completely self reliant lifestyle.
Many people ask me where I am from and where I film my projects. I am from Northern Ontario, Canada, and live in an area where off-grinding is easy because I have lots of land to build on and experiment with different buildings and materials. Everything I do is to try to be more self reliant, and to depend less on others. But that doesn't mean I don't like working together with other people on projects. Knowing people who have skills is part of being self reliant, and trading skills is a great way to get more things done!

[@keithng128]

Frankie casually walk in.... And he noticed that it's a camera on,.. then he said.... “ Sorry, excuse me. ” and Walk away. Sooo well mannered, simply just adorable. 🥰

[@jimgriffiths9071]

Kevin, I've always thought this is your best project. Reusing a old tank, and transforming it into something quite useful for the thousands of homesteaders out there. I would love to see you produce half a dozen, and put them into your merch shop. This is a tremendous asset to any small farm.

[@c.a.g.1977]

This never gets old! Can't believe it's mapple syrup season again! Hope Don's well enough to come out and help you with the boiling. Seems he's really a part of the channel, and I kinda miss seeing him, but of course I understand that he's not been himself lately.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

I'm about 80 years old and this story goes back to before my time to say, the 1920s in Western Upstate New York. Our family and near neighbors had a 'sugar shack' in some woodlands. They would gather for 'sugaring off' parties. In the early to late evenings, they would eat, dance, and play cards. Someone would stay later to continue the evaporation. In my adulthood, I have always purchased our maple syrup and maple sugar from a family farm in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Your syrup test slurp looks to be lighter than 'light amber.' I prefer 'medium amber for the balance of the 'lighter' aromas/taste and the caramelized flavors. Your video is a welcome harbinger of spring!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Love it!

[@user-oi3su7sw5n]

​@@ModernSelfReliancewhat happened to your friend the old guy

[@arresthillary9502]

he is on injured reserve(mild heart attack)@@user-oi3su7sw5n

[@hillbillywisdom777]

Here in Missouri this year has been the longest maple sapping season I can ever remember. Above freezing daytime below freezing nights

[@mikekrisan6044]

you worked your A$$ off!! everything you build is 10 outta 10

[@glenn9989]

That’s all I use for small projects,bed frames keep you eye out tell friends and pretty soon you have all you need.

[@ib4359]

Thumbs up!

[@mcbnj]

Next week can we revisit digging one of the holes

[@mcbnj]

could always use a refresher

[@bigdsperformance]

I can't wait to see some new maple syrup vids!

[@rohanevergreen]

awesome

[@mybuddyme8694]

Love the video's.

[@johnnyharperscoutstable5386]

This is a nuts build. The whole time I’m like, how many times has he done this?…😆🐸🍺🔪🔥

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Twice... At least twice.

[@lindsayalisonstevens3592]

This is such a cool build, Kevin! Excellent craftsmanship as always 😎👏🏽 I hope Don’s recovering nicely from his heart attack months ago ❤

[@Sage-Preston]

I'll bring the waffles!

[@lukec22]

he treats that maple syrup like a most people treats a fine wine or bourbon. and thanks for another great video

[@mriguy3202]

You can make your own fire brick pretty cheaply; there are youtube videos on that topic also, and bonus you can cast them to conform to the shape of the oil tank. The materials are available at home depot or similar stores and online as well. I think you may be happier with a gasket on the top of the tank beneath the pan to hold down the smoke. You may prefer the smoky note in the syrup but not every one does, and it's very hard to control the amount of smoke flavor that gets in the finished product. You can mount the chimney at the 'back' of the tank at the top on the flat surface too and that will work. Good ideas here!

[@paulsavage33]

the new evaporator looks great Kevin looks like a fun welding project

[@sueyates3555]

Wow Kevin, you really outdid yourself this time that is really cool how you can make stuff like that and be able to use it on your maple syrup which is so good.

[@outdoorsforachange]

Very cool build!

[@cindyfinn4845]

Kevin its my fave time building and maple syrup time..

[@MsSilkeen]

Gotta say , I watch you mostly bcuz you make me laugh, if I were doing all the stuff you do, I'd be doing the OOPSIES explanations too! I'm told sometimes I have 2 left feet. Keep up the natural you stuff, never stop!

[@patrickheavirland3599]

Good morning from Minnesota USA! Fun episode!

[@tedbryer2512]

What a great idea!! I took one of those oil tanks and made a test tank for outboard motors. Cut it exactly the same, put a hinge on it to close it up when not in use, mount a 2x8 to hold the outboard motor and fill it up with water. I also installed a exhaust fan to get rid of the smoke. and there you have it. the back end keeps the water from spraying up and over the sides. Last motor I repaired and tested was a 40 hp. OMC and it worked perfect! Greetings from Perth Ontario Canada.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

That does sound like a really good idea.

[@tedbryer2512]

@@ModernSelfReliance Im still using it. I did pull it inside so I had to get an exhaust fan. This thing really works!!

[@cebasmb8250]

I love maple 🍁 SYRUP season I made it every other year 😋

[@staceyvegamarkum4071]

Hey neighbor! We are doing a maple sugar social on Monday February 19th down here in New York. I do a lot of stuff at this equine center and we've started making syrup! Maybe I'll be able to get some pictures to share with you. Until then, stay safe and warm, say hi to Don, and hug those beautiful girls of yours!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Sure sign of spring! Enjoy it!

[@knightmn3223]

I live in St. Pete FL, and ever since I watched your video on the cabin/evaporator build, I have my Canadian regulars that come into town bring me some of that YUMMY Canadian maple syrup... this year I have 3 bottles from Canada and one from Michigan. Just wish it got cold enough to make some maple candy the way the great white north does it, with a popsicle stick and snow, HAHA. Love the channel and projects, Keep up the Great Content!! - Kris

[@timmylozza4611]

Nice syrup man well be happy

[@ryanpinkus1338]

This is the most Canadian video on youtube. But seriously, that looks good.

[@Serendipity-Divine]

Duuude reading my mind much. Interior B.C here 👋 and tapping for syrup from wood spigots I whittled from cannabis stems...highly recommend. So this video is peeerrrffeecct! Thank you!!

[@nanvaughn2258]

Kevin, thanks for making the video! It’s so amazing to see the bounty nature provides. How long will it take once you start boiling the sap to have finished maple syrup?

[@cmosphoto1]

Depending on the amount of sap.. I can usually evaporate an inch an hour... It's a 2x5 pan.

[@941Earl]

Tell me you're a Canadian, without telling me you're a Canadian. Kevin: "Let's make Maple Syrup in the bush." 😂

[@Drew______]

Hi Kevin, have you ever considered adding a drip feeder to your evaporator? Basically you get a rolling boil and then have a hopper that you top up with cold sap. That hopper warms naturally and drips into the evaporator so you don't kill your boil when adding a bucket of cold sap.

[@edsomers7814]

Great build Kevin.really enjoyed it.😊☮️

[@geoffoutdoors]

Great build! Been boiling sap here in Ohio past couple weeks... temps up and down... now waiting on another warmup so it runs again. Cheers!

[@kathleenmead9259]

Fond childhood memories from Vermont harvesting and boiling maple syrup....Thank you! Awesome tutorial on how to build your own.

[@russellwatters5891]

I really enjoy watching the maple syrup videos. It brings back memories of my childhood in Wisconsin, before moving to Florida..lol 😂 Great job with the evaporator, you have a skilled welder for a friend! Love what you're doing 😊

[@66bigbuds]

We always had someone do night shift. We ran the boil 24hrs a day. Ours had a smoky flavor from the home made boiler. Everyone loved the smoky flavor.

[@taurota1554]

awesome as always.thanks for sharing and taking us along.

[@RollingwiththeRoss]

This sweet video really takes the cake, pancake that is!

[@SuperPenguin5495]

can you please make more shelters for - single, poor, young, men. Your car tree house and recent homeless structure are fantastic ideas that don't get enough attention

[@elsie9649]

Wow, love your use of the resources you have.

[@brianpeschke]

I really like how you make everything by recycling stuff, also how's Don?

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Don's doing great.

[@kingrafa3938]

Well done guys!

[@SJC49]

That was a cool project. Loved seeing you use all the reclaimed material. I know you promote Princess Auto - me too! A few months ago someone used my credit card # to try to order about $2300 worth of merch. Princess Auto was suspicious and was responsible for catching the thief. I call that great customer service!

[@user-dh9us5ri6w]

Good video Kevin! This build really improved on your last evaporator that you did with the Sugar Shack! Really good job! Always enjoy you builds man!

[@jefffunkhouser2773]

When I do my. Sap. I put it all the sap in one big container over night and hopefully it will get cold enough to get frozen a few inches of ice. And I take the ice out and then I start cooking it down. , It goes a faster that way and use a lot less wood

[@oldinuselesshancox5194]

Nice post, thanks 👍🏼🤟🏼🖖🏼

[@VanForest73]

I'm looking at how you turned an old oil tank for home heating into a wooden boiler. Will it last a long time? I'm just asking to know about it. Anyway, you've shown everyone the difference. How creative and flexible are you, hopefully waiting for your next action

[@802louis]

Wow great job 👏

[@equiptheangels7093]

Thanks for share my 🙏

[@rbartlett6606]

Need to remind people that the oil is flammable and the tank should be cleaned before starting to cut on it.

[@terrysincheff6682]

Two years ago we tapped my Brother's 8 black walnut trees. It was good, but I like maple better.

[@outdoorsforachange]

What happened to your old evaporator?

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Dennis wanted one... So I figure we'd do a start to finish build on this one.

[@outdoorsforachange]

@ModernSelfReliance even better!

[@michaelsmith9545]

How are you and your family doing Kevin ? How is Mr. Don holding up ?

[@killmimes]

Is that a used fuel tank???? Do you not see a chemical issue with this?

[@cmosphoto1]

The pan is stainless steel. Just the evaporator is an old tank.

[@outdoorsforachange]

Seems like it will all burn off.

[@user-ss3cj5ul4d]

@@outdoorsforachangethe stainless steel pan is made from 316L which is a slightly higher nickel content than regular frying pans and pots. The same materials used in pharmaceuticals manufacture.

[@Nancym1601]

Is the old one still under the overhang? Will you use both?

[@fred-san]

Alambic, asking free fruits to producer-market (🍎 with damages) ?

[@groove790]

what happened to the original burner you built?

[@TheWeekendMedic]

Be very careful setting up your pan on a slope - that causes shallow spots, which will burn if your sap level gets too low. A pan should always be dead level.

[@KINGOFTHEWOODS847]

Can I have some

[@frankensteinracing3520]

Curiosity if you trapped The steam and ran it through tubing would it be pure Water or would it be ethanol

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Would be pure water.

[@frankensteinracing3520]

@@ModernSelfRelianceassumed so was just curious cheers

[@arresthillary9502]

i have nothing but pine trees. can I make some gin in that thing?😛

[@ModernSelfReliance]

You could make turpentine. ;-)

[@bradh74]

Buddy did a nice job on the door for that. He must work with steel everyday. That's so close to a killer smoker that it's not funny. You could make a restaurant sized/style smoker with trays and racks that turn. You'd have to experiment with a fire box. Not sure I would want to eat food from an oil tank but I guess if you burned it all off it would be good to go. If a spark from a ferro rod will light fuel oil why would you cut it with a blade that throws sparks? You're still here since you posted a video but..................?

[@jonitheboi605]

i love this process but unfortunately my taste buds say no.

[@desert-walker]

Third😊

[@blueclothes1]

Hey Kevin how’s don doing?

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Doing well.

[@douglasgatian1401]

Kevin builds or modern self reliance? Why change the channel name?

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Why not both. I did a video on it.

[@terrysincheff6682]

My Dad used a large cast iron cauldron to make maple syrup, and it got a smoke taste. I like my maple syrup to taste like maple syrup. Sap flowed for almost 3 weeks, then it got cold. It should start running again monday or tuesday. Do you sell your syrup? FULL STOP!

[@BH-rx3ue]

you should stop the boil early and turn it into booze. I'd imagine it would come out like a very sweet wine.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Sounds like diabetes

[@BH-rx3ue]

@@ModernSelfReliance less diabetic than syrup because the sugar is converted in to booze where as syrup is just concentrated sugary goodness. Just when thinking about it, all youd pretty much have to do is chuck in some yeast when the sugar content is at the right percentage and BOOM! maple syrup wine

[@michaeleachus]

Hey Joe, your the best.thanks .would you go camping with a Subscriver ? ❤

[@evanhansen2354]

Ive never tapped a tree or anything but i thought sap was a thick and amber in color. I didnt think it was clear and water like

[@ChirpyMike]

Sap is clear.

[@owenhalverson9119]

Just don't sound food grade sound like a good way to catch cancer

[@robmarshall5100]

30 to 60 gallon to 1 fancy grad a amber