Gasifier reviews

[plowboy1]

Hello all, I've been burning wood for over 30 years, just a good woodstove, nothing fancy. Now, with retirement in site (picture a smiley face here), I'm thinking of upgrading to a gasifying indoor boiler. Yes, I know, should have done it 20 years ago. Oh well.
I have been looking for sometime and am very disappointed that there is not a simple(to understand) list of manufacturers and reviews. I want to know what REAL users have to say.. Quality and reliability, ease of operation , maintenance and repair(quality?), cost and customer support.
We all know how hard it is to get honest appraisals and that sometimes these thing are manipulated. So what's there to do?
It could be that I'm missing the boat. Computers and TVs are still a mystery to me. If someone can point an old guy to the right place, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dogwood]

Plowboy, you might take a look at Woodnotoil's site, http://www.woodnotoil.com/. He used to provide info on wood gasifier manufacturers and models. I haven't looked at his site in quite a while but you may be able to gather some info there.

Mike

 

[Whitepine2]

http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php

Try this cite good info on all types of boilers.I see you are from MA.
and I think you will need to get a Ma.compliant boiler for inside just
make sure before you buy.

 

[Hydronics]

Welcome. You have come to the right forum for honest information. It is a big decision and there are many options which is a good thing. I would start by doing a search on this site of the more common gasification boilers: EKO, Tarm, Froling, Econoburn, Garn, etc. If you have the space and money, I personally see the Garn as the best - all things considered. I have an EKO which I'm satisfied with. Well seasoned wood is necessary in gasifiers. You could spend from $5000 to $20,000 plus on boiler and setup. Good luck.

 

[maple1]

http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php

Try this cite good info on all types of boilers.I see you are from MA.
and I think you will need to get a Ma.compliant boiler for inside just
make sure before you buy.

'All types'? That place isn't very useful if looking for info on an indoor boiler.

Best thing I can think to say is just read as much as you can here.

BTW, what is your wood situation/supply like? If I was retiring, I might also consider a pellet boiler. There are some very nice ones out there. In here too.

 

[Hydronics]

'All types'? That place isn't very useful if looking for info on an indoor boiler.

Best thing I can think to say is just read as much as you can here.

BTW, what is your wood situation/supply like? If I was retiring, I might also consider a pellet boiler. There are some very nice ones out there. In here too.

That's a good point or for simplicity and less cost: a pellet stove. My Parents installed a pellet insert in their basement this winter. Firewood got to be a bit too much for my Father. He cut/split & burned until he was 70. He's happy with the insert.

 

[Whitepine2]

Don't know how old you are but I have seen some nice pellet boilers for inside
heat installed in MA homes. It took me four months of checking out boilers
and bought a P&M outside boiler four years ago and love it. If and when I
do it again would look into auto feed pellet boiler as I;m only 71 and seems to me a better way to go take your time and look and talk to people that have them.

 

[plowboy1]

Don't know how old you are but I have seen some nice pellet boilers for inside
heat installed in MA homes. It took me four months of checking out boilers
and bought a P&M outside boiler four years ago and love it. If and when I
do it again would look into auto feed pellet boiler as I;m only 71 and seems to me a better way to go take your time and look and talk to people that have them.

Thank you all for the replies! This is great information! (I have used a solar forum where I felt kind of shunned). I'm about 60, and yes, I know the day is coming, but I really like cutting my own wood. We have a little farm here with plenty wood. I personally try to selectively cut the sickly or damaged trees.
I haven't considered the pellet stoves/ furnaces because I don't want to swap my oil man for a pellet man. We have baseboard heat now so to tie in won't be a big deal
A friend has used a gasser for about 30 years and would have nothing else. BUT... he has to replace the ceramic-like chamber every couple of years. They have to be ordered and are expensive. That's one of my concerns.
Thanks again, time to start reading.

 

[plowboy1]

http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php

Try this cite good info on all types of boilers.I see you are from MA.
and I think you will need to get a Ma.compliant boiler for inside just
make sure before you buy.

This is very good to know!

 

[Hydronics]

I can understand wanting to burn wood as long as possible and a gasser is the ideal setup. I hate the oil man also and one concern I have with pellets is the price is market driven.

 

[stee6043]

I love my EKO and would recommend it to just about anyone looking for a reliable, affordable, high quality rig. BUT I would personally not consider this to be retirement-worthy.

You can split half as much wood for your gasser vs a conventional boiler but you have to split it half the size. I'm not sure how much time we actually save working the wood pile. The wood pile is much smaller, yes.

I'll echo the above - go pellet and enjoy your retirement not working the wood pile.

 

[rkusek]

Too bad they don't make a one that does both cord wood and pellets.

 

[simple.serf]

The varm units have a Viking pellet burner option. I've been doing a bit of research on some of their units. It's worth looking into, it's always nice to have options.

 

[Karl_northwind]

Too bad they don't make a one that does both cord wood and pellets.

Effecta also has a similar option to the Varmenbaronen boilers, where you can swing a pellet burner in to the door, and fire it up on pellets. not cheap, but a 30 second change over and off you go. If I had endless resources, and was building again, this is what I'd do. buy the wood burner setup for pellets, and then add on the pellet burner later.
k

 

[ihookem]

I think EKO is the cheapest. They are very simple. My only regrets is if I would have spent a lousy extra 500 bucks on a 40 instead of a 25 I could load it 2 times a day instead of 3.

 

[infinitymike]

Hey you could always go with a multi fuel system like the Wood Gun wood/coal burner.
I don't know much about coal, but is there much of a demand for it anymore and is it really market driven.
That said, it may make hard to find.

(broken link removed to http://www.alternateheatingsystems.com/multi-fuel.html)