Handcrafted in USA Handcrafted in USA PRICE$45.00
| PRICE | $45.00 |
|---|---|
| AVG, SHIPPING TIME Timing is based on our current production timeline. | |
Distributed by Smoky Lake
Your Partner in Maple
Tested and Approved
Description
The width of this Rail Gasket is specially designed for use with StarCat and Dauntless Evaporators, but could certainly be used for other evaporators as well. The gasket includes an adhesive backing, so it will stay in place while you set your pans on top of your arch.
Cut the gasket to length. Peel away the paper backing, while taking care to NOT peel away the adhesive strip along with it. Lay each strip of gasket flat, without gaps, adhesive-side-down on your arch’s rails. The adhesive holds the gasket in place for your initial installation so that you can place your pan on top of it with ease. Rail gasket increases efficiency because it prevents air from being pulled under your pan(s) which would cool them down.
Please note that it is possible for the adhesive strip to loosen after being subjected to extreme temperatures. To extend the life expectancy of the adhesive, make sure the underside of your arch rail is well insulated with ceramic blanket to protect it from the heat of the fire.
Tutorials and Tips
| PRICE | $45.00 |
|---|---|
| AVG, SHIPPING TIME Timing is based on our current production timeline. | |
This is the latest and greatest model of 1″ Rail Gasket. This popular add-on helps increase boiling efficiency by sealing gaps between your arch and your pan(s).
Description
The width of this Rail Gasket is specially designed for use with StarCat and Dauntless Evaporators, but could certainly be used for other evaporators as well. The gasket includes an adhesive backing, so it will stay in place while you set your pans on top of your arch.
Cut the gasket to length. Peel away the paper backing, while taking care to NOT peel away the adhesive strip along with it. Lay each strip of gasket flat, without gaps, adhesive-side-down on your arch’s rails. The adhesive holds the gasket in place for your initial installation so that you can place your pan on top of it with ease. Rail gasket increases efficiency because it prevents air from being pulled under your pan(s) which would cool them down.
Please note that it is possible for the adhesive strip to loosen after being subjected to extreme temperatures. To extend the life expectancy of the adhesive, make sure the underside of your arch rail is well insulated with ceramic blanket to protect it from the heat of the fire.
Tutorials and Tips
Take advantage of our online resource library, 24/7. You’ll find illustrated instruction guides, videos, and a full range of maple topics!
Drake F –
Used this with my Dauntless. I like it
Jacob H –
I use this on my 16×30 gas-fired finisher. Good size.
Angela –
Thanks!
Carol –
I was grateful to find a gasket that works so well with Starcat. This was the perfect size and I had a little bit left over in case I need to swap out a bit at some point.
Angela –
Thanks, Carol!
Mary C –
I am here just to repurchase this thing for my husband as a gift. I was reading other comments. Ha. I would never give you one star knowing what we subjected that thing to. Inferno! Ha. No. The thing did its job. But yeah. Someone should invent fabric and adhesive that lasts forever…. except then I don’t know what I could buy for the man who has everything….
Angela –
Thanks Mary. That was very thoughtful of you to get this for your husband as a gift. Hopefully you will be all set to hit the ground running this coming season!
Ryan –
Gasket functioned exactly as I expected. Helped us boil a little faster. Good.
Angela –
Thanks Ryan. Give us a shout if you need anything else.
hope4thepride –
Sorry, guys – love all your products so far, except this one – lasted only one season – adhesive got cooked away, no longer sticks and, only being 1″ wide it easily becomes displaced and reveals gaps if the pan needs to be shifted back into place, which is not that uncommon in a small sap-house… for the same price I could have gotten twice as much regular 2″ gasket and used a little chewing gum to hold it in place ; )
Angela –
Hi There. Thanks for reaching out.
I’d love to share some background on these products so you can have a better understanding of them.
First, please understand your firebox temps can reach upwards of 1000ºF. So your rail gasket is being exposed to extreme temps for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, there is not an adhesive in existence that can be expected to last forever under those conditions. The purpose of the adhesive is to assist with the initial install. We cannot expect it to last forever, although we agree that would be awesome! Again, we added this feature to offer ease with the initial install.
I understand you are interested in trying some alternative gaskets. I just want to make sure you have realistic expectations, so here are a couple things to consider:
Traditional 2″-wide rail gaskets – which do NOT have any adhesive – are designed for evaporators with wider arch rails. This means it is intended to sit fully on top of that wider rail, without hanging into the firebox, and without covering/insulating more of your pan than necessary. The Dauntless and the StarCat have 1″ wide rails, so if you are using a 2″ gasket you will need to accept that the 2″ width is going to have some overlap. The mismatch in size may cause it to hang into your firebox flames and overall fatigue quicker than the 1″ option.
Another difference to keep in mind is that the 1″ gasket is going to be slightly more “fluffy” than a braided rope gasket, and also inherently less prone to fraying.
With all that said, keep in mind that the Dauntless can also be run without any gasket at all. In fact, all of the videos in the Dauntless tutorial library are showing that evaporator being run without gaskets. You can still make awesome maple syrup this way. The gaskets, just offer a little more efficiency. Use them if they bring your joy. Omit them if they don’t.
Cheers to you and we hope you have a great 2024 maple season. Let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. You can reach us directly here: 920-202-4500
Angela