Alternate Heating Systems offer a stainless steel [304] option for the steel inside the boiler. I think the stainless option is about another $1200. What is the pros and cons of stainless steel? Is it worth the extra money? Thanks
benjamin said:The pros of SS are that it stands up to condensation and acid from the fire side much better than carbon steel, and will last much longer with oxygen in the boiler water than carbon steel will.
The cons are stress cracking, chemical corrosion (don't ask me to explain, I can't), poor thermal conductivity and different expansion rate (not really significant in itself, but causes cracking), cost and in many cases the SS will be thinner than a comparable carbon steel boiler. 304 is "food grade" SS so its much more corrosion resistant but less suitable for high temps than 409 which is more similar to exhaust system SS.
Is it worth the $ ? Carbon steel or cast has a long track record and works fine in closed systems, so I don't see any benefit for the $$$.
Rick S. said:Alternate Heating Systems offer a stainless steel [304] option for the steel inside the boiler. I think the stainless option is about another $1200. What is the pros and cons of stainless steel? Is it worth the extra money? Thanks
Alternate Heating has perfected ss welding a long time ago. I have never heard of a ss WG cracking & I believe they have been making them for about 30 years. RandyRick S. said:So if money is not a factor 304 stainless steel may still be the best option. It makes me wonder if anything can be in the day to day usage of the boiler to reduce the chance of stress cracks. If I can longer boiler life with s.s., and can reduce the chance of cracking it looks like the best of both worlds.
fwiw; When I ordered my WG and asked them about the SS option, they asked me if I would be heating DHW all summer, I'm not. They said that I would not need it (SS) and to run my "Gun" hot, set the turn off at 210. If I get 20 years I'll be real happy but I'm thinking that in 10 to 12 years I'll be old enough to park the saws and burn a Coal Gun next go round, or maybe pellets.Rick S. said:Alternate Heating Systems offer a stainless steel [304] option for the steel inside the boiler. I think the stainless option is about another $1200. What is the pros and cons of stainless steel? Is it worth the extra money? Thanks
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