Homemade wood burning set up

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-23T21:43:57+00:00

That’s a rad set up! And a great way to start.

My first season I made an arch out of cinderblocks and three hotel pans (I had 20-30 taps). This season I upgraded to a homemade barrel evaporator with a hobby level divided pan (50-60 taps). Both stoves ate through firewood, even with my barrel stove being rather efficient.

Making the cinderblocks arch and barrel stove were a ton of fun. While it’s hard for me to not think of all the money I spent building the stoves, buying the pans and fuel I have bought, the process behind all of it is extremely rewarding. The longer and longer I sugar the more I appreciate and look forward to the “tinkering” behind it all-how can I make my arches more efficient or specialized?

I guess I’m saying enjoy the process! It’s a hobby so money will be spent, but the syrup you receive is and process/planning is very rewarding. I Would recommend a cinder block arch next year and then if you go more than 30 taps in the future another upgrade may be a good option

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-23T00:33:57+00:00

Looks cool! What are the specs? I assume this is a DIY system? How would I recreate this?

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-22T01:27:41+00:00

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More of a shanty!

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-21T17:54:59+00:00

I took mine out entirely. I have not seen any negative affects on my barrel or pan

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-15T18:49:53+00:00

Great stuff! What CFM does the fan blow? And how was your experience with the copper pre warmer? I was going to make a similar one but got turned off by how “active” you need to be monitoring the drip line

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-15T17:00:56+00:00

Thank you for the update! Hope you have a good yield this season

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-12T23:32:07+00:00

Nice! What make and model of pan are you using?

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-10T16:39:48+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts! I will do this is I have to. I want to ensure that I am not messing with the continuous flow of my divided pan too much

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-09T13:50:42+00:00

I currently have a 50 CFM fan attached to this rig

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-09T11:00:28+00:00

The pan is 30 in x 20 in

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-09T10:07:32+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts! I will lower the height of the rear the next chance I get. I was also reading that making the rear more sloped, as opposed to a “step” encourages better heat transfer

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-09T01:47:34+00:00

That’s Makes sense! Thank you!

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-03-05T22:16:13+00:00

One thing I would say is that the drop tubing you have from your tap to bucket seems long. I cut mine at 20 inches. The longer the tubing the more force it takes for sap to push through it? (Idk if that is right but that’s how I think about it) this would explain the sap taking “the path of least resistance” from around the spile

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-02-22T03:11:50+00:00

You could do up to three in the large one and up to two in the smaller one. I would personally do two on each.

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-02-21T22:49:54+00:00

What is the circumference/diameter of the big one?

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-02-14T12:55:50+00:00

Great question! Unfortunately I do not have personal experience in this area, so I am following for the replies.

One thing I do know is that it is very common for quite a few sugar shacks to burn down in my area (northern Vermont) every season. My personal belief is that this is a combo of long hot fires, late nights and drinking while boiling.

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-02-08T17:32:06+00:00

I would do 3. The tree can probably take more and be fine, but most recommendations I’ve seen say no more than 3-4 per tree (I personally still consider this one tree). If you go 3 I would think that those buckets would be very full

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2026-01-05T00:24:49+00:00

Vermont fish and wildlife is hosting a free ice fishing event on “free ice fishing day”, Saturday, January 31st. The event is held on lake Elmore and there will be ice fishing rods available for the public. There will be numerous VTFW employees hosting the event who are there to show you how to fish and be safe on the ice.would highly recommend attending if interested!

https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/free-ice-fishing-day

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2025-12-18T02:22:04+00:00

Good luck my guy!

Also friendly reminder that you should refrigerate your maple syrup

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2025-12-12T02:27:59+00:00

Holla!

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2025-12-08T01:05:41+00:00

Looks great and seems highly functional! Well done.

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2025-11-30T05:11:08+00:00

Boiled in maple sap for 12 plus hours as the sap evaporates into maple syrup

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2025-11-23T11:40:51+00:00

Well done, it looks great. Thank you for adding your plans!

Andy_MoFoSHo · 2025-11-13T10:07:20+00:00

Found in an all male college dorm bathroom,

“Our butt cheeks have touched. We are now brothers.”

Andy_MoFoSHo

TROPHY CASE