A single red maple tree can yield 10 gallons of sap over a season, which lasts on average 4 to 6 weeks. A large amount of water must be evaporated from the sap to produce a finished syrup.

DIY His maple syrup evaporator is decidedly low-tech. He fashioned it out of an old legal-sized filing cabinet. He cut the drawers and back out and fit it with a barrel stove conversion kit.