Production Update 12/29/21
The below info are best ESTIMATES. 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”).
Production status of all handcrafted pans and arches are outlined below. 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. • When your order is ready, it will ship via FedEx Ground or SpeeDee Delivery. • NOTE: The weeks surrounding Christmas are very chaotic for most ground carriers. In order to provide the best shipping outcomes, we will avoid shipping these pans to certain destinations during this holiday window. Again, this is based on our past experiences and will help us ensure the best outcome for you. Pans LARGER than 2×4: • Production Lead Times w/Pick Up: Approximately 4 – 6 weeks. • 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″) Unfortunately, we can no longer offer timing guarantees for the 2022 season. • Current production lead time is approximately 3 – 4 Months. • 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 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. • 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 your place. |
![]() 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 November, we aim to ship within January. In the interest of time, this means many of these orders will be shipped via a common freight carrier rather than our white glove carrier network. • 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 order TODAY, you will receive this pan set after the 2022 maple season. Reserve your 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 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 PRIOR to October. The majority of these orders left with a white glove carrier today (12/29)! For the handful of orders that remain in the system, you are at the front of the queue. If we have not done so already, we will be contacting you soon, after the holiday. SEE FREIGHT program so that you are prepared to accept freight and there are no delays. • Orders Placed between October 1 to December 28: 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. (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 | UPDATED 1/6/21 EXISTING ORDERS: If you already have a StarCat on order, lead time will be dictated by the handcrafted pan. NEW ORDERS PLACED TODAY: As of 1/6/21 at 11:45am, our stock of pre-packed StarCat Arches is starting to get low, so DO NOT DELAY! The StarCat product pages will indicate “backordered” as soon as our remaining pre-packs have been spoken for. Pre-packed StarCat Arches will ship via FedEx Ground or SpeeDee Delivery Ground, depending on your location. We also have a handful of assembled StarCat Arches available. Cost of pre-assembly is $200. Please call us to take advantage of this option. (920-202-4500) Pre-assembled arches would be shipped via freight or available for pick up at our headquarters. Please review the parameters of FREE FREIGHT to ensure that you are ready to accept a freight delivery and there are no delays. We are working on getting materials together so that we can pack more StarCat Arches again soon. We will post more information regarding the next batch of StarCat Arches as it becomes available. If you ordered a FULL EVAPORATOR, please also check the lead time of pans. |
![]() Dauntless Arch | We do currently have a several arches packed at the time of this writing. So things are still moving right along. We are currently working on welding more subassemblies and finalizing parts for our next batch of arches. We should be able to start packing in mid to late January. Place your order today to reserve a favorable place in the queue and lock in the best pricing. More coming very soon! 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 by mid to late January. Orders Placed between October 1 to December 28: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are doing our very best to have your Corsair ready for pick up within 3 – 4 months from your order date. We are working as efficiently as possible. ••• 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. (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 by mid to late January. Orders Placed between October 1 to December 28: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are doing our very best to have your Corsair ready for pick up within 3 – 4 months from your order date. We are working as efficiently as possible. ••• 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. (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 by mid to late January. Orders Placed between October 1 to December 28: Lead times are influenced by shipping destination as follows: ••• PICK UP at our Hilbert headquarters, we are doing our very best to have your Corsair ready for pick up within 3 – 4 months from your order date. We are working as efficiently as possible. ••• 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. (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 arches are ready. However, there are lead times for the handcrafted pans that go with these arches. |
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 Prior to October: Priority will be given to those hoods that were ordered WITH an evaporator. Next priority will be any stand-alone hood. All on track to be crafted before end of year. Ful Orders Placed After October 1: It is most likely that these orders 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 and there are no delays. Some sizes may be more readily available than others. Again, priority will be given to those hoods that are ordered WITH an evaporator. Next priority will be any stand-alone hood. See our current freight schedules for more information. |
![]() Backflip Preheaters | Lead times are largely influenced by the other items on your order (ie. The Hoods, Pans, Arches, which typically accompany a Preheater) If you had ordered just a stand alone preheater, it will most likely be fulfilled after the 2022 maple season. At that time, delivery will be assigned to the soonest available white glove carrier heading to your area. Order today and lock in best pricing with minimum 20% deposit. (To make partial payment select “Pay By Check” at check out) Ordering now will also put you in the most favorable position in the production queue. 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) | The parts we were waiting for have arrived! We immediately started kitting these tire sets together and have been working diligently to get all backorders shipped. Thanks for your patience. 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. |
![]() 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 Prior to October: We were so happy to get all of these shipped as of 12/29/21 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 to reserve your 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. |
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, lead time for individual Bottlers is going to be about 1 – 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. SHIPPING DURING THE HOLIDAYS: The weeks surrounding Christmas are very chaotic for most ground carriers. In order to provide the best shipping outcomes, there are some destinations in which we may avoid shipping ground during the holiday window. Again, this is based on our past experiences of shipping ground during the holidays. We want to ensure the best outcome for you. |
![]() Filter/Finisher/ Bottlers | Generally speaking, lead time for individual Bottlers is going to be about 1 – 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. SHIPPING DURING THE HOLIDAYS: The weeks surrounding Christmas are very chaotic for most ground carriers. In order to provide the best shipping outcomes, there are some destinations in which we may avoid shipping ground during the holiday window. Again, this is based on our past experiences of shipping ground during the holidays. We want to ensure the best outcome for you. |
![]() 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.
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 slightly more 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
Understand the parameters of our Free freight shipping program and help us ensure a smooth delivery by checking out our Terms Page.
We would like to come and pick up a case or two of your pint jars for putting maple syrup in. Do you have any in stock? We also have questions about a black residue in the bottom of our jars and how do we get rid of that? Do you have any plans for classes in bottling maple syrup for the up coming spring?
Hi Kathryn.
Yes, We do have pints in stock. All the bottles that we carry are listed here: https://www.smokylakemaple.com/product-category/bottlers-canners/bottles/glass-bottles/
We would be happy to talk to you about your filtering and bottling when you stop in for your pint jars.
We do have a free online class for filtering and bottling available to you at any time. You can find it here: https://www.smokylakemaple.com/knowledge-base/from-barrel-to-bottle-filtering-and-bottling-series/
We are hopeful to be able to do some demos this Spring. If we are able to make that happen, we will announce it on our Facebook page: facebook.com/smokylakemaple
Thanks.
Angela