Testing My New Maple Syrup Barrel Evaporator

[@geoffoutdoors]

Great barrel evaporator.. Been using one I built 4 years ago. Key is using wood no larger than your wrist and crack the door about 3-4 inches open for good airflow. I re-paint mine every summer for the next season (high temp stove paint). Happy sappin!

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Thank you for the tip. I had noticed that the smaller diameter wood seemed to be giving a better burn. It will definitely need a repaint, it has seen some serious heat already. Happy sappin to you too!

[@samuelmorse1245]

Remove the bung to allow more air in, even if you don't add a blower. Also, keeping the door closed works better. you're letting air in that will cool the overall temperature inside. The overall goal is to generate as much heat on the hot side of the pan (and the hottest fire possible, the law of thermal conduction) so it can flow into the pan and into the sap, creating as much steam as possible. This is why the larger evaporators (and even people running barrel evaporators do it) will insulate with ceramic insulation. Also, creating an arch or ramp from about the midpoint to the back where the flue is, helps direct the fire across the entire length of the pan. Helps combust the fuel better too. Keep at it, its a fun process!

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Thank you for the advice! I definitely am going to remove the bung and try some of the other techniques as well. It is a lot of fun trying to perfect the craft.

[@johncaracci481]

well done. we all start somewhere. looking forward to using this evaporator when it arrives.

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Thank you. I was supposed to have it delivered this weekend, but actually picked it up a week early because the weather was right.

[@CTHuntnFish]

Looks like you had the pan pretty full, you will get much faster evaporation if you keep the sap level around 2 inches, only go higher if you have to step away.

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Thank you for the advice, that makes sense. I will do that going forward.

[@Michigan_North_Woods]

I make these and also use one myself. You should be able to get 5 gph with these. Always wet your filters before filtering.

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Thanks for watching. I was probably close to boiling at that rate, but a few minor tweaks and I think I can get there easily. I appreciate the advice, I’ll wet the filters from now on.

[@ClassicMemorial]

By the looks of the birds walking around I would get the turkey fryer back out

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Haha it is a long story, but they are actually just pets.

[@RedRockMaintenance]

I just made one of these units. Going to try sap this year. The paint is going to burn off. Get some high heat black paint and it will help so it wont rust out.

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Thats awesome, I wanted to make one but opted to buy so I would have it at the start of the season. Thanks for the tip, I think that's what I will do at the end of the run.

[@terryakerley8629]

Remove that bottom bung hole cap and let the air really flow and help bring the heat up

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Good idea, thank you. On my last boil I left the door cracked and that really intensified the heat.

[@orvilleturk9768]

Put the refill valve on the side why stick your hands in the steam

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

This is the way the warming tray was made. I might make a few modifications at the end of the season to make things a bit better.

[@davelorge5156]

I added a blower in the bung hole, turbocharged my boil.

[@MyMIAdventures-cv4dt]

Nice, I was thinking about doing something like that to speed up the process. Thanks for the idea.

[@danielfrancisco8678]

Adding a fan does that burn through more fire wood??

[@davelorge5156]

@@danielfrancisco8678 not really because you get done faster

[@danielfrancisco8678]

@davelorge5156 have any issues with having to clean ashes out before being done boiling sap? Say 40 gallons?

[@davelorge5156]

@@danielfrancisco8678 no issues with ash ,boil rate is 5-6 gallons per hour