Defoamer Dosing Device

Anyone who’s ever boiled maple syrup knows how crucial defoamer is, especially when you’ve forgotten to add it before turning on the heat! Over the years, we’ve tried various methods, including using timers and even purchasing an electronic dosing device that we didn’t like. This year, we decided to build a simple device that continuously drips our Atmos 300 into the steam pan. The device consists of a clear 2-foot PVC tube, a ball valve, and a few stainless fittings, all of which were built for under $50. We were unsure if the ball valve would provide enough control over the drip rate or if we’d need to install a needle valve instead. However, within a minute, we had it dripping at the correct rate. The reservoir easily lasts the 3-4 hours our usual boils take, and we’ve never had a foam issue, even at the end of the season when sap tends to be finicky. Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll share an improvement we’ve made to our candy machine using our 3D printer!