Homestead Maple sugaring, for aesthetics, economy and ecology

I had a very sad year for maple syrup this year. Made maybe 5 L ?

Last year was 20L so this was a huge swing in production.

Probably for the best - I still have maple syrup left over from last year I need to use up, even after very generous gifting!

Nice set-up Catie! That's how I got started.  A couple ideas to help that cook faster if you're interested:

- Raise the warming pan up so it isn't blocking off the chimney airflow as much
- Add a couple more cinder blocks to the chimney.  More height really helps the fire roar
- If ash/coal build up is limiting the amount of firewood you can fit, add another course of cinder blocks and put a grate under the fire. Getting air under the wood really helps

Mike Haasl wrote:Nice set-up Catie! That's how I got started.  A couple ideas to help that cook faster if you're interested:

- Raise the warming pan up so it isn't blocking off the chimney airflow as much
- Add a couple more cinder blocks to the chimney.  More height really helps the fire roar
- If ash/coal build up is limiting the amount of firewood you can fit, add another course of cinder blocks and put a grate under the fire. Getting air under the wood really helps

Good idea on the grate! (And the taller burn area).  I don't have a pic, but I eventually raised the warming pan on a couple bricks which did help.

This was pared down from last year due to a bunch of my cinder blocks breaking, and me being too cheap to buy more with how short the season ended up (I boil on electricity in my garage if my trees produce less than 15L/day).  Last year it was more of a j tube rocket design and definitely boiled faster.

 I'll either need to buy more bricks next year, or invest in a barrel stove kit, I think. And maybe, gulp, split my wood finer.

Yep, wrist sized wood is what a professional evaporator company told me...  I'd probably stick with cinder blocks but make a metal chimney.  You can always make the evaporator longer. Once you convert an oil tank you're space limited...