Outdoor gasifier/woodboiler

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knteriele

New Member
May 12, 2008
11
New York near Canada
I am deciding what to buy, a tarm gasifier or a regular outdoor boiler with gasification or not. Which boiler manufacturers should I stay away from, I compiled a list and would like to here about the pros and cons. Central Boiler, Shaver, Heatmor, Northland Outdoor Wood Furnace, Greenwood, Sequoyah, Empyre, Hawken Energy. I was thinking about a gasifier from tarm but good dry wood might be a problem 100% of the time and when I am working the 16 year old boy will fill it or my wife. Alot less wood splitting also. My house is 2700 square feet, well insulated, and I have a 79,000 BTU Utica boiler in it now. I have a 36 x 40 garage I may want to heat up to 45 degrees or so in the winter also.
 
Take the time to check out the inquiry that I started just before you, I've had some constructive feedback regarding indoor vs. outdoor boilers.

I have seen the Greenwood and Econo burn run first hand. As well as the Central Boiler and Heatmore.
The dealers, like many things in life are trying to earn a living. If you can find one that is reputable and honest to help you then that's a great help. Its always a good idea to ask for a list of satisfied homeowners. Then get out and see these units run and chat with the people who use them everyday. Its also very nice to see various install set-ups and how users worked their particular unit into there operation.

The local Greenwood dealer did not impress me. In Canada the 100 model retails for @ 8150.00 CDN. He had his unit set up on a 24" stand apparently because he felt it was easier to feed. While in all reality I think its probably easier to get at the lower chimney flue for cleaning, additionally he had a homemade natural vent system over and above the door---he said prospective customers love to see the furnace burn????? Or was it really because it smoked every time he opened the door? It was by far the heaviest, most rugged design that I have seen.......probably could last a lifetime......but will surely use up more interior sq ft'age.

Here in Canada the Central Boilers and Heatmor units with EPA certification are priced @ 1500 - 2000 more then non qualified units. Central Boiler has a very nice fit/finish on their product.
Heatmor appeared to be strong.....the nice little light on the front of my friends Heatmor is always black with soot......it makes me wonder how much it actually lites up????? and the ash auger seemed more cumbersome then helpful when he demonstrated it to me.

Finally as a fellow shopper in this marketplace It goes without saying we need to think about product support - warranty....parts and so on. I have the benefit of taking the summer to shop and buy. Just so long as I can do that trenching before the snow flys!!!
 
Burn time depends on many factors such as outside temp, seasoning and type of wood, DHW draw, etc. Without storage I fill my tarm 2-3 times per day. From what I understand the EKO is a fairly similar system to the tarm. With my addition of storage this summer I hope to get down to 1-2 burn per day in winter and 1 burn a week in summer for DHW. You seem to be on the right track.
 
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