New Central Boiler Classic Edge

[Bwhunter85]

Anyone have more information about this new boiler that CB came out with? I'm looking at purchasing the Classic Edge 550 model. Thoughts?

http://centralboiler.com/products/classic-edge/

 

[tjcole50]

Interested as well what brought the cost down?

 

[S.Whiplash]

Doesn't seem to be a gasification model from what I can see, so not sure how they passed the new EPA regs.

 

[woodsmaster]

Says it is a gasifacation model with a vertical heat exchanger and also lambada although the call it something else. Looks promising, but personally I'd stick to something tried and true like an European sty;e downdraft gasser or a portage and main. It does look like it was designed like a European downdraft gasser.

 

[tjcole50]

I have to say cb support around me is 2nd to none. Everyone burns one. But I did email and call/talk with portage and main rep and I see no issues with them if I choose that route. I do like what I read about p&m

 

[heaterman]

Asterisks in a couple spots caught my eye. Especially since I can find no explanation of them anywhere.

One pair by rated output and the other by EPA certified.

 

[ewdudley]

Asterisks in a couple spots caught my eye. Especially since I can find no explanation of them anywhere.

They stuck the 'footnote' in the middle: "**Based on EPA qualifying test.".

 

[heaterman]

They stuck the 'footnote' in the middle: "**Based on EPA qualifying test.".

Yep. But what test and where could a person go to see those results? Are they published?

 

[maple1]

Some sort of cross sectional view of it would be helpful.

 

[Karl_northwind]

http://centralboiler.com/pdf/brochure-classicedge.pdf

looks like a pain to clean. water tube heat exchanger.

 

[maple1]

I don't even see how it could be cleaned - looks completely boxed in?

HXs do need cleaning.....

 

[Karl_northwind]

I don't even see how it could be cleaned - looks completely boxed in?

HXs do need cleaning.....

I was being generous

k

 

[flyingcow]

My 2 cents worth. CB has had, well deserved, a poor rating on customer service. I know a local dealer, very well. He seldom returns a call after a sale. Seems like a standard MO.

No matter how you look at it. The cost of a CB vs a standard gasser+storage is about the same money. The gasser w/storage will out perform any, let alone the new CB, typical OWB. IMO, you'll burn 30%? less wood.

 

[Karl_northwind]

Saw one at the show this weekend, and as expected, it's a water tube heat exchanger with no means of accessing the top of the tubes. Cleaning them will be nearly impossible. according to someone who wandered over to my booth to look at boilers, the CB rep at their booth said they don't need cleaning. This'll be awesome.

k

 

[BoilerBob]

Saw one at the show this weekend, and as expected, it's a water tube heat exchanger with no means of accessing the top of the tubes. Cleaning them will be nearly impossible. according to someone who wandered over to my booth to look at boilers, the CB rep at their booth said they don't need cleaning. This'll be awesome.

k

"said they don't need cleaning"
LOL. and these folks are "experienced" in wood burning. Sad, very sad. People please run away from these units!

 

[PassionForFire&Water]

... and the CB rep probably also said that you can burn fresh cut wood in it.

Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun ... and don't look back

 

[heaterman]

Never needs cleaning. .......Yep....Uh huh......
and my 94 year old mother in law runs the Boston Marathons every year too.. then she turns around right after that and swims across Lake Michigan and back just for good measure.

You're right Karl. This'll be really awesome. .......of course, they've probably invented 5 stage combustion or something like that to make it work.

 

[Karl_northwind]

Never needs cleaning. .......Yep....Uh huh......
and my 94 year old mother in law runs the Boston Marathons every year too.. then she turns around right after that and swims across Lake Michigan and back just for good measure.

You're right Karl. This'll be really awesome. .......of course, they've probably invented 5 stage combustion or something like that to make it work.

Wow. your mother in law must be in really great shape!

 

[The Weimar]

Central Boiler on the whole, their customer service, as well as their OWB gasifiers, are not of good quality. I have had only problems with my CB EClassic 2400, and to make matters worse, their service is invisible. I would not recommend CB, based on their poor service and warranty. Check out some of my old postings if you would like to see what they really build their boilers out of..

The Weimar

 

[tjcole50]

Regarding the cleaning of the tubes i heard there are chains hanging imbetween them and you can get to them through a panel. Shake the chains and loosen up the build up and clean out. Does sound pretty simple. Wish i could get more info on these. Rough crowd on owb around here. Atleadt they are trying now haha

 

[3fordasho]

Regarding the cleaning of the tubes i heard there are chains hanging imbetween them and you can get to them through a panel. Shake the chains and loosen up the build up and clean out. Does sound pretty simple. Wish i could get more info on these. Rough crowd on owb around here. Atleadt they are trying now haha

Saw several of these at the state fair, the small and mid sized units. The chains are accessed through the flue exit (don't recall if you need to remove the pipe or there is a tee access) and the panel mentioned by tjcole is located at the back of the firebox. They also claimed the unit rarely needs cleaning.....

I asked how the unit burns clean during idle periods - they said the air intake shuts completely off so no air in- no smoke out ??? The controls open the air for bit every 30 minutes to keep it from going completely out.

I did ask about wood moisture content, they recommended 25% or less for this unit.

I said I'd be interested if these units were getting good reviews after 3-4 years of use - they looked at me kind of funny "we've been making great boilers for 25 years"
ya right.

 

[Oconto Wood Burner]

Just hooked one up today, I wait a week and state my opinions than. But my first Impressions of the stove is positive, looks easy to clean and should run very efficiently. I had many different brands of stoves, but before I got the classic edge I was heating with a regular classic before this one, I'll compare off of that one.

 

[Oconto Wood Burner]

th

Regarding the cleaning of the tubes i heard there are chains hanging imbetween them and you can get to them through a panel. Shake the chains and loosen up the build up and clean out. Does sound pretty simple. Wish i could get more info on these. Rough crowd on owb around here. Atleadt they are trying now haha

There are chains hanging in the tubes, remove the chimney cap and the stove came with a rod to move the chains back and forth. I get some pictures.

 

[jebatty]

Do you rattle the chains back and forth, or up and down, in the tubes for cleaning the tubes? Is there any other recommended procedure to clean the tubes in addition to the chains?

 

[maple1]

I can't see how chains can clean tubes very good at all.

When I pull my turbs out of the tubes for brushing, I sometimes think that just the act of pulling them out should clean the tubes. They're a snug fit. I also tried sliding them in and out a couple times to see what that would do. But after doing that then brushing, the brush still gets a lot more ash. Even with my worn out brush head. I suppose it depends on how much heat loss from dirty tubes a person is OK with.