Production Update 1/15/22
Thank you for utilizing this resource. We are doing our very best to be transparent and keep you updated on what we are working through. To our dismay, we do not have the luxury to call each customer individually to discuss each update. We absolutely wish we could, but we simply don’t have the manpower. We are focusing our energy on production efficiency and getting the work completed. Please check back to the website periodically for updates.
The longer you have been in our production queue, the more favorable your position in the queue. Things are moving right along as swiftly as can be expected based on extreme order volumes at this time. See our Ordering FAQ for more details.
CONTENTS
- Full Evaporators
- Evaporator Pans
- Arches
- Evaporator Accessories
- Bottlers
- Filter Presses
- Custom Work
- White Glove Carrier Routes
FULL EVAPORATORS
There are two main components of every evaporator: the pan and the arch (AKA “firebox”).
Please reference both of those two products to understand the lead time of your full evaporator.
EVAPORATOR PANS
NOTE: Generally speaking, orders for pans are fulfilled in the order in which they were received. Fulfillment is also dictated by our freight routes so that we can fill trucks and deliver efficiently. Thank you for your patience.
PAN TYPE | PRODUCTION LEAD TIME |
![]() Flat / Divided Pans | Pans 2×4 or SMALLER: • Current lead time for production is approximately 4 – 6 weeks from your order date. • Update 2/1/22: The 2×3 Flat Pans that we had previously had in stock have all been spoken for. The same lead times now apply to that model. • When your order is ready, it will ship via FedEx Ground or SpeeDee Delivery. Pans LARGER than 2×4: • Production Lead Times w/Pick Up: Approximately 4 – 6 weeks from your order date. • Production Lead Times w/Free Shipping: This is a freight item. Hence, fulfillment dates are largely dictated by our white glove carrier freight schedules. Make sure to read the terms of our FREE FREIGHT program so that you are prepared to accept freight and there are no delays. |
![]() Hybrid Pans | Full Pint Hybrids (2′ x 33″) As of January 15, all Full Pints in our system have been fulfilled. Unfortunately, we cannot offer timing guarantees for new orders for the 2022 season. • Current production lead time is approximately 3 – 4 Months from your order date. • When you order is ready, it will ship via FedEx or SpeeDee Delivery UNLESS we have a white glove carrier who happens to be heading your direction soon. Hybrid Hobby Pro With Drain Mainfold (2′ x 3′ or larger) Unfortunately, we cannot offer timing guarantees for new orders for the 2022 season. However, please note that pick up vs delivery may influence your lead time as follows: Production Lead Times w/Pick Up: • Approximately 3 – 4 Months from your order date. • If you ordered prior to December, 2021, we are doing everything we can to fulfill your pan within March, 2022 Production Lead Times w/Free Freight Shipping: • This is a freight item. Hence, fulfillment dates are largely dictated by our white glove carrier freight schedules. Destinations outside of the Midwest will be fulfilled after the 2022 maple season. • Make sure to read the terms of our FREE FREIGHT program so that you are prepared to accept freight. • Order NOW to lock in best pricing (minimum 20% deposit required) and reserve a favorable position in the queue. |
![]() Dauntless Drop Flue Pan Set | Lead Times Based On Order Date: • Orders that are currently at the front of our production queue were placed at the end of September and early October. • If you ordered in October/November, we aim to ship within January. These will be shipped either by one of our white glove carriers or via a common carrier. Make sure to read the terms of our FREE FREIGHT program so that you are prepared to accept freight. • If you ordered in December, you will most likely receive this pan set after the 2022 maple season. Or goal is to craft these orders within 3 months of the order date, but this is an aggressive goal considering the amount of orders in the system. • If you ordered after January 1, you will receive this pan set after the 2022 maple season. Reserve a favorable position in the queue and lock in best pricing with a minimum 20% deposit. (Simply select “Pay by Check” at check out if you want to do a partial payment.) SHIPPING: This is a freight item. Picking up at our headquarters can sometimes shorten your lead time slightly. |
![]() Raised Flue and Drop Flue Pan Sets (High Output) | Lead Times Based on Order Date: • Orders Placed On December 28 Or Earlier: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are doing our very best to have your pan set ready for pick up within March or earlier if possible. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best. Timing of delivery may be partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. • Orders Placed After December 28: We will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Order now with minimum 20% down to lock in the best price and reserve a favorable position in the queue. (Simply select “check payment” at check out to make a partial payment.) |
ARCHES (Not Including Pans)
NOTE: Generally speaking, orders for arches are fulfilled in the order in which they were received. Fulfillment is also dictated by our freight routes so that we can fill trucks and deliver efficiently.
ARCH TYPE | PRODUCTION LEAD TIME |
![]() StarCat Arch | Pre-packed StarCat Arches typically ship via FedEx Ground or SpeeDee Delivery Ground, depending on your location. EXISTING ORDERS: If you already have a StarCat on order, lead time will be dictated by the handcrafted pan ORDERS PLACED AFTER 1/18/22: As of about mid-day on 1/19/22, all of our existing parts for StarCat Arches were spoken for. The StarCat Arches will now appear as “backordered” on the website. More parts coming soon! If you order a StarCat that is labeled as “backordered”, we estimate that these will be ready by early March. We will post more updates as we work through this goal. Please note that we do have a handful of assembled StarCat Arches available in our showroom. Cost of pre-assembly is $200. Please call us to take advantage of this option. (920-202-4500) If you ordered a FULL EVAPORATOR, please also check the lead time of pans. |
![]() Dauntless Arch | We plan to start packing more Dauntless Arches the week of January 17. Place your order today to reserve a favorable place in the queue and lock in the best pricing. If you purchased a full evaporator, lead time will most likely be dictated by the handcrafted pan. |
![]() Corsair Arch | Orders Placed Prior to October: On track to be crafted within January. Orders Placed Within October: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed by mid-February. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed Within November: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed by end of February or early March. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed Between December 1 – 27: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed within March. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed After December 28: We will craft/deliver your evaporator after the 2022 maple season concludes. Order now with minimum 20% down to lock in the best price and reserve a favorable position in the queue. (Simply select “check payment” at check out if you prefer to make a partial payment.) |
![]() Silverplate Arch | Orders Placed Prior to October: On track to be crafted within January. Orders Placed Within October: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed by mid-February. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed Within November: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed by end of February or early March. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed Between December 1 – 27: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed within March. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed After December 28: We will craft/deliver your evaporator after the 2022 maple season concludes. Order now with minimum 20% down to lock in the best price and reserve a favorable position in the queue. (Simply select “check payment” at check out if you prefer to make a partial payment.) |
![]() Liberator Arch | Orders Placed Prior to October: On track to be crafted within January. Orders Placed Within October: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed by mid-February. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed Within November: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed by end of February or early March. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed Between December 1 – 27: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are on track to have these completed within March. ••• Deliveries within Wisconsin and Minnesota: This product was not guaranteed in time for the 2022 season, but we are doing our best to exceed expectations whenever possible. Timing of delivery is partially influenced by our white glove carriers’ upcoming routes (TBD). ••• For all other delivery locations, we will craft/deliver your pan set after the 2022 maple season concludes. Orders Placed After December 28: We will craft/deliver your evaporator after the 2022 maple season concludes. Order now with minimum 20% down to lock in the best price and reserve a favorable position in the queue. (Simply select “check payment” at check out if you prefer to make a partial payment.) |
![]() Jet-Fired Finisher/Evaporator Arch (Propane or Natural Gas) | Existing Orders: If your order is outstanding, we are probably waiting for the handcrafted pan. If this item is part of a larger freight order, it will ship at the same time as the rest of your freight. Thanks for your patience. New Orders Placed Today: The arch is usually in stock. Your overall lead time will likely be dictated by the lead time of the handcrafted pan which accompanies this arch. |
EVAPORATOR ACCESSORIES
NOTE: Generally speaking, orders for accessories are fulfilled in the order in which they were received. If it is a freight item, fulfillment is also dictated by our freight routes so that we can fill trucks and deliver efficiently.
ACCESSORY | STATUS |
![]() Float Boxes | Generally speaking, the current lead time is 4 – 6+ weeks for any individual Float Boxes. If we can turn it around faster, then we absolutely do. If your Float Box is bundled with a Pan, then the fulfillment of your Float Box may be influenced by the lead time of your Pan. This item will be shipped at the same time as the rest of your order. |
![]() Concentric Exhaust | Orders Placed Between October – November: • If you chose to PICK UP at our headquarters: Let’s get your pick up date on the calendar for January. We will be reaching out to you soon if we have not done so already. • If you chose Free Shipping: Your Concentric Exhaust is part of a larger evaporator order, and the lead time of your evaporator will dictate the lead time of this accessory. We test all fitment with your hood and pans, and will release everything together in the same freight shipment. Make sure to read the terms of our FREE FREIGHT program so that you are prepared to accept freight and there are no delays. Orders Placed After November: Thank you. We look forward to fulfilling this order after the 2022 maple season. Make sure to read the terms of our FREE FREIGHT program so that you will be prepared to accept freight and there will be no delays. |
![]() Hoods | Orders Placed After October 1: Priority will be given to those hoods that were ordered WITH an evaporator. If you ordered a stand-alone hood, it is most likely going to be fulfilled after the 2022 maple season. Make sure to read the terms of our FREE FREIGHT program so that you are prepared to accept freight and there are no delays. See our current freight schedules for more information. |
![]() Backflip Preheaters | Orders Placed Prior to January 1, 2022: If you are one of the handful of folks remaining from 2021, thank you for your patience. You are at the front of this queue. Your remaining lead time will largely be influenced by the other items on your order (ie. The Hoods, Pans, Arches, which typically accompany a Preheater) Delivery will be assigned to the soonest available white glove carrier heading to your area. Make sure to read the terms of our FREE FREIGHT program so that you are prepared to accept freight and there are no delays. Orders Placed After January 1, 2022: This product cannot be promised in time for the 2022 maple season. Order today to lock in best pricing with minimum 20% deposit and reserve a favorable position in the queue. (To make partial payment select “Pay By Check” at check out) Preheaters are a freight item. Make sure to read the terms of our FREE FREIGHT program so that you are prepared to accept freight and there are no delays. |
![]() Pneumatic Tires (Straight Runners) | If you are just placing an order today, your lead time may be influenced by the other items on your order. Typically we ship everything together at the same time unless you request otherwise. For a stand alone Pneumatic Tire Set, please allow 1 – 3 weeks lead time from the date ordered. |
![]() Lids | At this time, we are accepting Lid orders in limited sizes, ONLY with purchase of an evaporator: • StarCat (16″ x 30″) • Dauntless (20″ x 48″ OR Lid Trio for Pan Sets) • Gas-Fired Finisher/Evaporators (16″ x 30″ OR 2′ x 4′) We have temporarily STOPPED taking new orders for all other sizes of lids in an effort to streamline our production. Please circle back with us in May if you need a different size lid. Thank you for your patience. Just like the rest of the world, we are short staffed, so it is not possible to offer the same expansive range of products as prior years. |
Stack Toppers (AKA “China Hats”) | We stopped accepting new orders on Sept 14, 2021 and this product has been removed from our website. Existing Orders: We are doing our best to get these completed for you before season, but this is a very aggressive goal. Your fulfillment time may be influenced by other items on your order as we try to ship all freight in one shipment. Please know that we are doing our best. Thank you for your patience. Just like the rest of the world, we are short staffed, so it is not possible to offer the same expansive range of products as prior years. |
![]() Water Jacketed Draw Off Tank | Orders Placed Between October and Today: Due to our current work load, we can NOT guarantee these tank orders will be ready before the sap runs in 2022. Orders placed today will most likely be fulfilled after the 2022 season. To lock in the best pricing and to reserve your position in the queue, it is best to place your order today. To make a minimum 20% deposit, simply select “Pay By Check” at check out. |
![]() Auto-Refill Head Tanks | Orders Placed Prior to October: You are a priority. You are at the front of the queue and we aim to ship these remaining orders in January. Orders Placed Between October and Today: These orders will most likely be fulfilled after the 2022 maple season. Thank you for your patience. To lock in the best pricing and reserve a favorable position in the queue, it is best to place your order now. To make a minimum 20% deposit, simply select “Pay By Check” at check out. |
Auto Draw-Off Systems | We received a fresh shipment of parts late in the day on 1/19/22. Yea! We will be working diligently over the next week or so to get this next batch assembled, kitted and shipped. If you had purchased your auto draw-off system as part of a larger order, it will ship at the same time as the rest of your items unless you requested otherwise. |
BOTTLERS
NOTES ON SHIPPING: A single Bottler alone can travel easily via FedEx Ground or SpeeDee Delivery Ground. However, if your bottler is part of a larger freight-sized order, it will typically ship at the same time as the rest of your order unless you request otherwise.
STYLE | PRODUCTION LEAD TIME |
![]() Steam Bottlers | Generally speaking, the lead time for individual Bottlers is going to be approx. 2 months from your order date and these will ship via FedEx or SpeeDee Delivery. However, if your Bottler is part of a larger freight order, it will typically ship at the same time as the rest of your order unless you request otherwise. As of 1/19/22 — We will accept orders for only 22 more of the smaller sized bottlers (12 x 12) for the season after which time we will offer only 16 x 16. Going forward, these 12 x 12 bottlers will include a “Badgerland Style” Filter Tray. In other words, it will be a plain design and not the maple leaf design. |
![]() Filter/Finisher/ Bottlers | Generally speaking, the lead time for individual Bottlers is going to be approx. 2 months from your order date and these will ship via FedEx or SpeeDee Delivery. However, if your Bottler is part of a larger freight order, it will typically ship at the same time as the rest of your order unless you request otherwise. As of 1/19/22 — We will accept orders for only 22 more of the smaller sized bottlers (12 x 12) for the season, after which time we will offer only 16 x 16. Going forward, these 12 x 12 bottlers will include a “Badgerland Style” Filter Tray. In other words, it will be a plain design and not the maple leaf design. |
![]() Water Jacketed Bottlers | Cut off for ordering for the 2022 season was August 1, 2021. You may place an order today to lock in best pricing and reserve a spot for our next run of Water Jacketed Bottlers which will be summer 2022. |
FILTER PRESSES
All filter presses are built to order.
Generally speaking, turn around time for a new order (any configuration) should be pretty quick, approx. 4 weeks from your order date.
Long Platform Filter Presses, OR any Filter Press that is part of a larger freight order, will often travel via our white glove carrier network, so freight routes may also play a role in fulfillment dates.
Sometimes, accessories such as “Shorteners” can add a few more days of lead time.
CUSTOM WORK
Due to high order volume at this time, we stopped accepting custom orders on July 19, 2021. We will be doing everything in our power to fulfill existing custom orders before the season.
CURRENT WHITE GLOVE CARRIER ROUTES
Whenever possible, we ship freight via our White Glove Carrier Network. The following list is what we are planning for at this point in time. Please keep in mind, these routes are still evolving and we are continuing to plan new routes as well! Learn more about Free Freight Shipping.
- January
- Northern Minnesota loop – weekend of January 21
- Loop through Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia – weekend of January 28
- February
- We are working to schedule another trip to the East coast. Thank you for your patience as we negotiate the route(s) with available carriers. We will post more information as plans solidify.
Understand the parameters of our Free freight shipping program and help us ensure a smooth delivery by checking out our Terms Page.
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[…] Shipping: Fulfillment dates are largely dictated by our white glove carrier freight schedules (schedules available on the Smoky Lake website). We will contact you when your order is ready to ship. Sorry, we cannot promise that this will be […]