Looking to replace outside stove

[wpdkb5]

I currently have a Central Boiler ( 11 years old) and it has started leaking. I been looking
at other brands and I'm interested in talking to someone that has had one for 15 years or more
I was happy with this stove until last month. I expected it to last longer. It was always in use year round and never had junk burned in it. I have been looking at Heatmor and Wood doctor
but still looking and asking alot of questions.
Thanks
Wes

 

[Eric Johnson]

Welcome to the Boiler Room, Wes. I'm sure you'll get a lot of suggestions.

Poke around some of the threads and feel free to jump in with any questions, or start new threads if you have specific questions. Everybody around here is pretty helpful.

Where is your boiler leaking? I'm guessing around the return water connection, in the firebox. Is that right?

 

[Nofossil]

I'm afraid that I can't shed any light on long-lived outdoor wood boilers, but you might get longer life from boilers that have a pressurized water jacket. In pressurized systems, there isn't a continual supply of oxygen in the water to promote corrosion.

I've seen premature failure that was corrosion from the water jacket side of the steel due to an open system. For outdoor boilers, I think there are water treatments that can reduce this problem, but if the water comes in contact with air, it will absorb more oxygen and carry it to the steel.

I think closed / pressurized systems typically last longer.

 

[wpdkb5]

My boiler had a pin hole leak in the middle of the fire box (no seams) in the area of the leak
I have repaired the leak with a screw and so far it working. I'm afraid that there may be other
areas that are just as thin. I have heard that closed systems are less prone to rusting problems
but that limits the choices. I appreciate any advice I can get the price has sure gone up since
I purchased my boiler 11 years ago.
Wes

 

[Eric Johnson]

What I was getting at was low temp return water corrosion, which would show up on the back wall, right about where the chunks can hit the steel when you're not careful loading them and "ring the bell." What happens is that the water reentering the boiler is cool enough (below around 120) to cause condensation in the firebox and corrosion when the acids mix with the condensed water. The steel eventually gets paper thin and eventually cracks or otherwise fails. It doesn't help that that's the most likely place to get banged around. Most welders won't touch it.

You can protect your boiler by mixing some supply water into the return to keep the temps above, say, 140. It's really important with gasifiers, which is why everyone seems to have mixing valves or pumping strategies designed into their piping. Sounds like yours ought to get you through the rest of the season, anyway. That's plenty of time for us to get you hooked on a gasifier.

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

If you want someone with 15 year run time, you're going to have to settle for 15 year old tecnology. Efficiency - aka 'air quality' standards are much higher today. Besides, do the math . .. you paid what for the CB back then? divided by 11 years? I think you'll admit, that's a nice return. WAY better than WallStreet ;-)

Get a gassifier . . . just talk to people that have no financial interest in your purchase decision. Salespeople lie

 

[FLASHMAN]

I currently have a Central Boiler ( 11 years old) and it has started leaking. I been looking
at other brands and I'm interested in talking to someone that has had one for 15 years or more
I was happy with this stove until last month. I expected it to last longer. It was always in use year round and never had junk burned in it. I have been looking at Heatmor and Wood doctor
but still looking and asking alot of questions.
Thanks
Wes

I'm actually looking at Central right now... I'd contact your dealer, or central directly, and ask them about warranties, and if they can do anything for you...

 

[wpdkb5]

I don't want to purchase old technoly but neither do I want to buy something not proven
Several times a gasifier has been mentioned. What is a gasifier (The Greenwood Furnace)
and if so who else manufactures this type of boiler.
Thanks
Wes

 

[Eric Johnson]

There are two basic categories of gasifiers--the European-style downdraft boilers that generate wood gas (smoke) in an upper chamber, then pull the gas down through ceramic nozzles where it is ignited. They burn clean and efficient. Proven technology. Examples would be the Tarm, the EKO (top banner), the Econoburn (bottom banner), and others. The other basic category is the Seton-style gasifier, which has a huge refractory mass around the entire firebox. Wood gas is created and ignited at the bottom of the firebox. It's also clean-burning, efficient and proven technology. Examples would be the Seton, Greenwood, Greenfire, etc.

There are some brands and designs that are slightly different and/or hybrids. These would include the Garn, the Blue Forge, and others. Again, clean burning, efficient and proven.

We have members on this board who own most of the boilers mentioned, and some I didn't mention. Most will be happy to answer any questions you might have, wes. Welcome to the Boiler Room.

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

I don't want to purchase old technoly but neither do I want to buy something not proven
Several times a gasifier has been mentioned. What is a gasifier (The Greenwood Furnace)
and if so who else manufactures this type of boiler.
Thanks
Wes

If you agonize over decisions as much as I do, I feel bad for your wife. The 'un-time-tested' aspect of the GreenWood made the final purchase decision quite difficult. The one thing I will say, once you make the decision, you are going to have it for a while, so you make the best of it. Every unit mentioned has it's strengths and weaknesses. Make sure the unit you decide on fits your circumstances.

Seach out the threads on this board. I guarantee you will be a very educated buyer by the time you plunk down yer money bag.

 

[godale]

Woodmaster has a great product I have been burning one for two years with no problem
One of the local dealers in PA is
Gary Johnson
154 church st
Springville PA
1-570-965-2613

 

[Eric Johnson]

Welcome to the Boiler Room, pooley.

 

[godale]

thanks Eric hope I can help in the future

 

[Chris S]

I also am in the market for a boiler for a new install. I had a Sime wood coal unit in a previous home, have installed an outdoor unit for a client , and will not own either. I want a gasifier, and will purchase one of the models mentioned above. I've spoken to the people at Greenwood, and the first thing I asked was why do they refer to their boiler as a furnace- never got an answer to that one. I've seen a tarm in action & would like to see some of the others before I write that check. I understand the econoburn will be in Syracuse NY the end of February (Farm Expo) . Does anybody know if these other manufacturers also attend that event or if there is another venue where one could see more than 1 unit in the same location. Syracuse is 4 hours for me but I 'd travel further to see them all & make the best decision for me. Right now I'm still a little confused
Thanks for any help

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

Personally, I don't think that having to absorb not just one but a bunch of salespeople's BS, seeing their units burn under never-to-be-repeated-in-the-real-world ideal conditions, is going to be any better at helping you decide what way to go. I believe most of the units you will find bantered about on this forum have their strengths and weaknesses. You need a REALISTIC assessment of your needs before you can decide which unit to go with. Ask around, here. Just remember, we got some stinkin' salesmen lurkin in here too :coolmad:

BTW, not sure about the GreenWood being called a 'furnace'. Rest assured, it is a hydronic, but it's open, not a closed system. It is simple which is great for simple people like me. But if you think customer service was bad when you tried to get an answer to that question, you ain't seen nuthin yet!!

Jimbo

 

[Eric Johnson]

I also am in the market for a boiler for a new install. I had a Sime wood coal unit in a previous home, have installed an outdoor unit for a client , and will not own either. I want a gasifier, and will purchase one of the models mentioned above. I've spoken to the people at Greenwood, and the first thing I asked was why do they refer to their boiler as a furnace- never got an answer to that one. I've seen a tarm in action & would like to see some of the others before I write that check. I understand the econoburn will be in Syracuse NY the end of February (Farm Expo) . Does anybody know if these other manufacturers also attend that event or if there is another venue where one could see more than 1 unit in the same location. Syracuse is 4 hours for me but I 'd travel further to see them all & make the best decision for me. Right now I'm still a little confused
Thanks for any help

I'm an hour east of Syracuse (about 5 miles south of the Thruway) and I'll be happy to show you an EKO in operation if the timing works out.

 

[greeninsulation]

If people are looking to replace or purchase outdoor wood furnaces/boilers, please look for units that have been tested for emissions. wood gasification furnaces are the best way to go as they are super efficient and clean burniing.
I would be happy to share testing results as we await final epa testing. Our Industrial unit already comes in under the 2010 guidelines.

 

[altheating]

Chris
I just checked the vender list for the NY Farm Show, I did not see any listing for Greenwood, Tarm or Adobe Boilers. We will be thre with the Econoburn. If you are that close you might want to stop and look at Eric's EKO the same day. As far as all the venders being at one location, you will have to wait until August at the Seneca Farm Show We were all at this show last fall and I'm sure we all will be there again this fall. If you want to see a working model I'm only 45 minutes from Eric in Herkimer NY. I have my Econoburn EBW-200 running 24/7.

 

[Eric Johnson]

Sounds like a good wood gasifier field trip to me.

 

[altheating]

Maybe we can arrange a bus trip if we can get enough interest! Eric, are you going to stop in at the Farm Show?