Hydronic box stove

[the mekanic]

My father purchased a simple plate steel box stove back in the late ‘70’s. All steel, no glass. It was about 2’ x 3’ x 4’ with a fire brick bottom, and water piping on the sides. It stood on four 1” pipe legs. On the back were the inlet, outlet, and circulation loops. We had a basic 1/3 horse circulator regulated by an aquastat. It exchanged water with the oil-fired boiler, and him being a carpenter, we usually had plenty of wood. I don’t ever recall having a problem with the chimney, and it was serviced seasonally. If anyone knows where I could find such a box stove these days, I would like to get another. It lasted about 23 years before we had to let it go due to eventual metal fatigue, and failure of the water piping

 

[begreen]

These are much more common in Europe than here, most likely due to the high risk of safety issues. However, installed correctly with the correct controls and safety reliefs, they can function reasonably well. You might enjoy reading this article on John Gulland's system:

http://www.gulland.ca/homenergy/stove.htm

 

[atomichawg]

http://www.hilkoil.com/
Something you add to existing stove. Or

http://www.fluemiser.com/
something you add to flue pipe. Not sure how well they work but the thought of free hot water in the winter is tempting.

 

[the mekanic]

Thanks for the replies. I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to replace it with something identical. I guess when things pick up for the summer season I'll have to squirrel away some cash here and there for plate steel, fire brick, and welding rods. Maybe I've discovered a lost market...

 

[begreen]

You might consider running the tubing on the back of the stove for simplicity and sake and a bit more moderate control. Also, you could try contacting a US Esse dealer to see if he could get you an Esse 700.

http://www.esse.com/stoves/multifuel_wood/700.html