Hello,

I bought a Benjamin CC500 last year for my new home. The home is around 2000 SQ FT . I moved into the home at the end of November.  I have been burning wood steady since i moved in. I am guessing i have burned about 4 cords so far. The 2 negative points I have encountered is that the wood box is too small which requires multiple loading around 4 or 5 times a day ( depending on how cold it is.) and that the buildup of creasote on the fire door ripped at the gasket. (Dry wood will eliminate this, I burned some green wood because I ran low on dry.) Even with these 2 negatives i have been impressed and have been warm and toasty without supporting the OIL companies. I am on a short Vacation right now so I let the OIL run while I am gone. Before i bought it I did look into the TARM units. They are alot better and efficient but double in price. I think this unit would heat an 1000 SQ FT home with ease.

Welcome to the Boiler Room, mirautiola. Glad to have you aboard.

Hi,
Thanks so much for sharing that information with me. I suspect that if your unit is heating 2000 sq feet; and the amount of wood required to keep it comfortable; it’s probably safe for me to say that I may need only 3/4 of that. I’m taking into consideration, I have a much older home that is not well insulated and obviously outside temps. I realize all of this must be factored in. What really concerns me is your mention of creosote build up. How often has cleaning been required? Are you speaking only of the fire box or of the chimney as well? Please let me know; provided you get this.

Hi,

The creasote build up I mentioned is on the fire door where you load the wood. When your house is not calling for Heat and the Boiler water temp reaches the peak (190 deg F) the auto draft closes and kinda smolders the fire. As the fire is smoldering the exhaust temp is lower and if the wood is to green can even lower the exhaust temperature more and cause creasote to form on the inside of the door and else where. The creasote usually does not form thick as it is burned up when the draft is back open and fire can roar. On my case the creasote stuck to the door and gasket and when i had opened the door to reload the wood It ripped a little. I called my dealer and the shipped a replacement free of charge. Since i turned it on over 2 months ago I have not cleaned any except for a simple scape down at the door to prevent future tears to gasket. I used a mirror and peared up the chimney and it looks fine for now.

Jimxt88 - 20 February 2008 10:00 AM

I’m afraid you have lost her.  You guys went right over what her primary concerns were after keeping her house heated...” but I’m a middle aged woman who hasn’t the time nor desire to be married to a wood only boiler. I’m looking to simplfy things. What happens during cold spells? How does the wood get into the firebox if I’m away?” So what do you say guys… how does she keep the pipes from freezing if she doesn’t have an automatic fossil fuel backup.  Listen to the customer....  I know I’m butting in but I want Gshep to know she is being heard.

Here is a copy of Gshep’s email:
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:24 PM
Subject: Benjamin cc500

> Hi Mainewood, I hope you get this email. I really appeciate all the advice
> I’ve received from the forum. However, I feel as though I’m being pushed
> toward a add-on wood boiler. I’m being told what to take into
> consideration
> but no one is taking into consideration the fact that they don’t know the
> layout of my house. Additonally I clearly said early in the exchange; that
> I was not interested in a wood only boiler.
> My house use to be a summer bungalow that was converted years ago to a 4
> season home. The original structure consisted of a walk-in basement and
> bathroom noted as level #1. The chimney at that time was on the outside of
> the structure. Level #2 consisted of kitchen and living room only. Years
> later a garage was added to level #1 and a 2nd bathroom and two bedrooms
> were added to level#2. As a result of the addition the chimney now runs up
> the center of the house because the builder built around it. Based on the
> design of the house; the Benjamin seem as though it would work. I spoke
> with the building inspector, he stated that the one chimney could be used
> for a multi-fuel boiler. He said I would need a permit for the fire and
> electrical installation. With that being said; I already assumed the
> chimney wood require re-lining. Otherthan that the installation appears to
> be cut and dry; take out the old boiler and put in the new; keep in mind
> this is pure speculation on my part.
> A wood boiler needs to get vented somewhere; I believe there are
> restrictions on length and height for the vent. The outside walls are not
> accessible from the current set-up, neither are the windows. So the
> thought
> of adding a wood boiler doesn’t seem possible without riping my house
> apart
> to accomondate a 2nd boiler.
> I have already dumped money into my old Weil-Mclain. Its not as efficient
> as the current models and I’m totally dependent on the oil companies and I
> would like to change that. I want to put the money back into my pocket.
> All
> I really wanted from the start of all of this was to know if anyone had
> prior experience with the Benjamin and what I should be concerned with.
> Tarm and NewMac can’t accomondate me based on budget and the layout of my
> home.
> Please if you can respond with your experience.
>
> Thanks
> Gshep
>