My last galvanized tub that I've been using to boil traps started leaking, so it's time to find another and better way to do this.

I prefer to do as many traps as possible at a time, would like to be able to do near 3 dozen if possible. Number 3 coils, or 3n DLS (obviously these take up more room.)

Things I'm considering:

Half a 55 gallon drum.

Cutting down a keg so the handles are still usable.

Buying an 80 or 100 quart aluminum or stainless steel seafood/crawfish boil pot.

Asa Lennon mentioned a setup somewhere with two horizontal 55 gallon drums, with the bottom one being the fire box. I usually use propane, as I can do that anytime of the year (I use just as many traps in the summer fire season as in the winter) but I bet this would hold a lot of traps! Does anybody have a picture of this?

My burner is a little underpowered too, probably going to upgrade with either a purchased or build my own jet burner. Anyone have any tips on that too?

Thanks in advance.

I use a 100 lb. propane bottle with the top cut off to boil traps in. I use a 20 lb. tank with the top cut off for waxing traps. I have welded handles on both of them. Been using both of them for nearly 20 years, without any problems. I can get about 30 no.3 size traps in the big one. I can get 4 no.3 size traps in the waxing pot.

Now that's a good idea... Hadn't thought about propane tanks.

Looking at pictures of 100 lb propane tanks, looks like it would be very tippy? Pretty tall for the width?

20 gal stock pot

Won't last a lifetime but it will do a bunch of traps for you and you can heat the wax at the same time!

Hot water tank cut sideways...last forever.

Saw one made from an old hot water heater with the top cut off. Propane bottle, heat source and a fifty gallon tank to boil.
Jim

I cut a 55 gal drum in half and put it on a frame. Took the burner from a two burner barbecue and put the burners under the barrels. It had a side burner I put on the side with a stainless steel keg for the wax. Wrapped everything with fiberglass with aluminum flashing over top. There's an overflow a few inches below the top after you boil you can run the contaminants off the top before you pull your traps out. Left barrel is lye, right barrel is logwood dye, and keg is clean wax. I use an infrared temp gun to monitor temperatures. Its a nice controlled way to prep your traps. I do 300 before every season mostly bridger 3's, 5's, and a few #9's. I've been using this setup for about 20 years had to patch a hole a few days ago going to have to put on new barrels next season.

Akntrpr, that is dadgum fantastic.

Oil drums don’t last forever, but they are big and cheap/free. I never thought of insulating them. That’s a great idea.
I’ve seen a few pots made out of kegs. They seem pretty heavy duty.

Geez o Pete rednecktrapper! That's purdy!
You could ferment beer in that in off-season I bet!
Jim

That's quite a setup redneck trapper, I've seen that on your website. Maybe someday!