Handcrafted in USA Handcrafted in USA
| STARTING AT | FROM$1,291.48 |
|---|---|
| AVG. LEAD TIME This is the estimated/average time required to get this product ready and/or shipped. Please note that timing may be faster when picked up at our Hilbert showroom. | |
Description
The StarCat Maple Syrup Evaporator packs a surprising punch. This feisty, high-efficiency wood-fired evaporator is capable of 8 gallons per hour evaporation rate. The StarCat is a breakthrough solution for the backyard hobby maple syrup producer who wants an affordable, yet highly effective, machine to process maple sap into maple syrup. As with all of our Evaporators, the StarCat features an air-tight front and air-tight loading door to maximize firewood efficiency and evaporation rate. A precision draft control allows you to throttle combustion air and shut down completely if necessary. The Arch (firebox) of the StarCat will come to you in a series of cardboard crates. You will need to assemble the arch and paint it, all hardware and special spray paint is included. All Ceramic Fiber Insulation for inside the arch and door will be included in this package. The only thing you’ll need to add will be exactly 20 firebricks. No brick cutting will be necessary. The pan is as professional as the arch. It is built out of 22 gauge, mirror finish stainless steel and is fully TIG welded with lifetime limited warranty on the welds. Smoky Lake has built the best maple syrup pans in the world for the past 10 years. A valve and dial thermometer are included. Other than the 20 firebricks which you can buy from your local home store, this is a turn-key evaporator.
Bundling Discounts
By bundling a StarCat Arch with a Pan to create a “Full Evaporator”, you receive 5% OFF the Arch price.
Additional accessories are also available at discount as advertised on this page.
Ask us about our Brick Kit Promotion if you pick up your order at our headquarters, or enjoy free shipping in the continental USA.
Value-Added Details
When you compare our equipment to our competitors, you are not comparing apples to apples.
16 x 30 Evaporator Pans
StarCat Evaporator Arch Kit
Handcrafted by Artisans in Wisconsin
Free Shipping Details
Free Shipping in the Continental USA.
This product will be handcrafted and shipped from our headquarters in Hilbert, Wisconsin.
This product is typically shipped via FedEx Ground or SpeeDee Delivery depending on your location. In some select cases – especially if you upgraded to a Factory Assembled Evaporator – shipping may be upgraded to travel with one of our White Glove Carriers.
More information:
Contents of Each Box
This description applies only to our UNassembled StarCat Evaporator options.
The Arch (AKA Firebox) will come packed in two cardboard crates as described below. Pans and accessories (when applicable) are packaged separately from the Arch.
ARCH CRATE 1 = 20 x 4 x 31
ARCH CRATE 2 = 12 x 11 x 32
Tutorials and Tips
| STARTING AT | FROM$1,291.48 |
|---|---|
| AVG. LEAD TIME This is the estimated/average time required to get this product ready and/or shipped. Please note that timing may be faster when picked up at our Hilbert showroom. | |
Note: Bricks and the optional accessories are available separately. Customize this evaporator below.
Description
The StarCat Maple Syrup Evaporator packs a surprising punch. This feisty, high-efficiency wood-fired evaporator is capable of 8 gallons per hour evaporation rate. The StarCat is a breakthrough solution for the backyard hobby maple syrup producer who wants an affordable, yet highly effective, machine to process maple sap into maple syrup. As with all of our Evaporators, the StarCat features an air-tight front and air-tight loading door to maximize firewood efficiency and evaporation rate. A precision draft control allows you to throttle combustion air and shut down completely if necessary. The Arch (firebox) of the StarCat will come to you in a series of cardboard crates. You will need to assemble the arch and paint it, all hardware and special spray paint is included. All Ceramic Fiber Insulation for inside the arch and door will be included in this package. The only thing you’ll need to add will be exactly 20 firebricks. No brick cutting will be necessary. The pan is as professional as the arch. It is built out of 22 gauge, mirror finish stainless steel and is fully TIG welded with lifetime limited warranty on the welds. Smoky Lake has built the best maple syrup pans in the world for the past 10 years. A valve and dial thermometer are included. Other than the 20 firebricks which you can buy from your local home store, this is a turn-key evaporator.
Bundling Discounts
By bundling a StarCat Arch with a Pan to create a “Full Evaporator”, you receive 5% OFF the Arch price.
Additional accessories are also available at discount as advertised on this page.
Ask us about our Brick Kit Promotion if you pick up your order at our headquarters, or enjoy free shipping in the continental USA.
Value-Added Details
When you compare our equipment to our competitors, you are not comparing apples to apples.
16 x 30 Evaporator Pans
StarCat Evaporator Arch Kit
Handcrafted by Artisans in Wisconsin
Free Shipping Details
Free Shipping in the Continental USA.
This product will be handcrafted and shipped from our headquarters in Hilbert, Wisconsin.
This product is typically shipped via FedEx Ground or SpeeDee Delivery depending on your location. In some select cases – especially if you upgraded to a Factory Assembled Evaporator – shipping may be upgraded to travel with one of our White Glove Carriers.
More information:
Contents of Each Box
This description applies only to our UNassembled StarCat Evaporator options.
The Arch (AKA Firebox) will come packed in two cardboard crates as described below. Pans and accessories (when applicable) are packaged separately from the Arch.
ARCH CRATE 1 = 20 x 4 x 31
ARCH CRATE 2 = 12 x 11 x 32
Tutorials and Tips
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Mike Groman –
I bought my StarCat after the end of the season last year. I just got into making syrup with my first boil on an 18” x 18” flat pan that took 13 hours to boil down 38 gallons in 2023. My first boil of 2024 on the StarCat boiled down 27 gallons in 5 hours. After watching and using the tips in the “Backyard Evaporator Set Up” videos put out by Jim and Angela, I had the confidence to cut the StarCat loose and boiled 37 gallons down in 4.5 hours. The quality of the StarCat and the 16” x 30” flat pan are unmatched. The time savings has made the process of making maple syrup so much more fun. The StarCat is easy to use and very efficient for my small hobby single batch production needs. However, I am confident that it could handle much more than the 12 taps I run. Thank you Smoky Lake Maple for a great working and looking product.
Laura Weiler –
Here’s to quality time with family! We all put down our devices and did this instead. My mind feels more clear. My heart feels more full.
Josh Burkhard –
Very disappointed! The corners of several parts were bent over when I opened the box. Additionally, the precision bends were either over or under folded- so the paint ends up getting scraped off in assembly.
The instruction for the chimney are useless… attach it to your basketball hoop? Seriously?
I think you need to rethink the chimney infrastructure and provide better hardware and instruction for the exhaust.
Also… rethink your stance on painting. None of your customers can easily spray paint in February.
Angela –
Hi Josh,
I get the feeling that you do not enjoy assembly projects. For future reference, yes, we do offer a factory paint and assembly option. If you want our help in the future, just say the word. We are here to help. In your case, you saved $200 and receive faster free ground shipping with the self-assembly option. If you would like to upgrade your exhaust elbow to the heavy duty variety, we do have those available. In your StarCat kit, we included a guy tie which is the most common method for securing a pipe, but yes – as you had mentioned – we had provided a list of alternative methods of securing the pipe if so desired. The world is your oyster. We are available via phone or email if you would like to discuss further.
We hope you made some awesome maple syrup this Spring and enjoyed the great outdoors!
Sincerely
Angela
Jim Daoust –
I have just assembled my StarCat evaporator and felt it was a must to give it a top review. In my work I have assembled equipment of all kinds and even though this was not a complicated piece of equipment the quality of materials, the workmanship, the design and attention to detail was top notch. Very easy to assemble all parts fit perfect had all fasteners required and very good instructions. All though the season is far off I am anxious to try it out and feel confident it will live up to it’s expectations, will add to this review when I try it out next season. On a side note Jim & Angela came down to the plant when it was closed and took the time to explain the equipment and make the sale which was greatly appreciated as I had driven 250 miles to purchase the evaporator.
Rick Bush –
Great product, well engineered. Simple to assemble with great instructions. The syrup making process is quick and easy with this inexpensive unit. I only wish that I had one years ago….
Chris –
This product couldn’t be simpler to set up. The biggest issue for me was finding a warm place (I live in the Northeast) to paint the metal. Once that was resolved, assembly was a snap. Even a few pieces that got bent in shipping snapped into place once it was all put together. The weight is something to consider as even without the firewood grill or fire bricks, this Arch weighs a lot, be careful if you don’t get the wheels. All the seams on the flat pan were perfectly welded, no warping on the pan at all. The quality is top notch and I can’t wait to fire this up in a couple of weeks!
Gary Murdock –
I normally don’t offer reviews for products, but decided to make an exception for this product. While unpack-aging the evaporator, it became evident that they put almost as much thought into getting it to me undamaged as they did designing it. Every part meticulously and custom wrapped, padded, taped and protected. If this thing arrives to you damaged, its because it went through a nuclear blast and making syrup will be the least of your problems. The evaporator itself is excellent quality, built to very close tolerances, which for something designed for the hobbyist surprised me. Even the assembly instructions impressed me, they come in the form of a magazine quality (actually better) brochure. This is a high quality American made product, and I couldn’t come up with a negative comment about it if my life depended on it.
Angela –
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! This really means a lot to all of us here at Smoky Lake. We wish you the best this season and we will be here if you have any questions!
Angela