How to build a $25 maple syrup boiler

[RedneckPete]

I have done maple syrup in the past, but not recently. I tapped a half dozen trees for my kids sake, but once the bug bit, decided to do a couple more. I ended with 22 taps.

My previous plan of boiling the sap on the wood stove inside the house was not likely to happen without all the wallpaper and pictures falling off the walls. I needed a new plan.

I spent 25 bucks on two pans at the local restaurant supply store. Everything else I had on hand. A bunch of dry stacked bricks, a short piece of angle iron, and I was in business. I figure I can handle my 22 taps with four hours of boiling a day. I am very happy with the result.

Here are the pictures.

[MELOC]

cool...i like it!

[luvrulz]

How ingeneous is that! What did you use for the bottom? Was that just something that had been poured before in that place?? How many hours does it have to boil to make the syrup.... I grew up near Burton, Ohio and do I remember correctly that it takes 64 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup? Can that be right????

[canfossi]

Great set up. I am doing something similar with cement blocks, but hope to have something more like yours next year. Looks great! Chris

[RedneckPete]

Originally Posted by luvrulz

What did you use for the bottom? Was that just something that had been poured before in that place??

I spread a little sand to level out the area and put down two 24x32 inch patio slabs. It's working great so far!

Pete

[seedspreader]

Nice, can you add these pics over on the official maple syrup thread?

It gives me another idea.

[neal68]

the ratio is 33:1 ,33 sap to 1 syrup for sugar maples

[MELOC]

the average ratio is 40 gallons sap to make one gallon of syrup. it really depends on the sugar content of the sap. neal may be right if the content is 3.5% or 4% for those sugar maples.

[Pigeon Lady]

This is great! Thanks for posting the pictures. Can't wait to show them to my DH.

Pauline

[sue currin]

Anybody ever try a turkey deep fryer? to boil sap?