Needing help solving severe creosote problems with my Seton Wood Boiler

[Vern]

I want to warn all those dealing with Fred Seton. This man is a very gifted con artist. Yes the stoves do work well. The boilers are problematic costing people hundreds sometime thousands of dollars each year to maintain.
The design and manifold work seems to get many complaints as well. He always tells people that the company was sold to a different company and they cheapened the build. I know for a fact the boiler at his house has cost thousands in maintenance last year.
He has great plans of copying another companies turbine and putting it on his boiler. He is going to write to all his previous customers and see if they would like to invest. He is getting up there in age so if you do invest your time or money with this man don't plan on getting it back.

 

[James Hall]

Looking at getting a Seton boiler, would you guys buy one again? I have a homemade unit now and I burn up 12-14 cords annually. Fred said there should not be problems burning green wood. Can any of you comment on your experience please.

 

[maple1]

I have no experience with a Seton - haven't even seen one for real. But I'm pretty sure I would not consider one though, after what I've read about them. Don't forget maintenance & upkeep - you'll be stuck with that aspect for the rest of its life.

I would also not buy something that burns wood that was made by someone who said there are no problems burning green wood. And I would not try burning green wood in anything.

12-14 cords of wood annually is some pretty crazy numbers - no idea what you're heating though.

Not sure that all helped...

 

[hobbyheater]

Hey guys, I am a newbie to this site and I am so glad I found it. I have been reading as many posts as I can, and I'm learning alot. I was hoping I can get some help solving some severe creosote problems that I am having with my Wood Boiler, which based on what I have been reading here, it is considered a Gassifier.
I really really could use some help. Thank you......Regards,Kevin

I have not taken the time to read through all the replies.
Thirty plus years ago, I ran a non-gasification boiler without storage. Liquid creosote would run out of the boiler onto the floor. This boiler would idle for long periods of time with a very light load.
1,000 gallons of storage was added with the hopes that if the boiler worked harder, it would eliminate the creosote. Wrong conclusion, the creosote became a tar like ooze in the boiler and chimney requiring twice a week self started chimney fires to keep every thing clean.
About this time we acquired a Jetstream gasification boiler and have never looked back!
Looking back now, I believe that the culprit was lack of boiler protection. The boiler firebox walls were just too cold especially when storage was added. Return water could be as low as 110 - 160 F for a lot of the burn.
It is just a guess - could your return water temperature be too low ie: below 170 F and what temperature does the water in the boiler fall to during a period of idling? If the water in the boiler is below 170f you will get a build up of creosote !

 

[heaterman]

Looking at getting a Seton boiler, would you guys buy one again? I have a homemade unit now and I burn up 12-14 cords annually. Fred said there should not be problems burning green wood. Can any of you comment on your experience please.

Surely you jest! He did not actually say that did he?