Outdoor Woood Furnace

[kenskip1]

Hello, Being as I am in a warm climate I was wondering about all the members living in the colder climate. What I was wondering is if any members have and use these outside wood furnaces.
When I was living in NY, I considered the purchase.How well are they made and are they as efficient as stated?Thanks, Ken

 

[Eric Johnson]

They're not very efficient, that's for sure. And smoke is an issue. Lots of people use them in this part of the country. The best setup is if you have an abundance of free or cheap wood and no neighbors to be bothered by the smoke. Municipalities (and even some states) in the Northeast are starting to impose regulations or outright bans on OWBs.

 

[itsme again]

I have used mine for 3 years and I love it. I payed $700 for a log truck load this year and last. Always have plenty of wood left over. If you know how to use your stove, you won't be smoking out your neighbors. Most of the problems come from older stoves or stupid people that burn garbage. I'm sure some of the heat goes up the chimney, but I have my house temp between 72 - 76, depending on the wife I also get 12 plus hours of burn time, so I am not comstantly having to fill the stove or plan my day around the stove. If that is considered in-efficient, then I'll still take it.
When they make a gasifier with a longer burn time or that doesn't have everyone running out putting in storage tanks the size of your car, then maybe I will consider one, but I don't see it happening. I also don't have to worry so much about making toothpicks out of logs so they will fit in the stoves burner.

 

[muncybob]

I have used mine for 3 years and I love it. I payed $700 for a log truck load this year and last. Always have plenty of wood left over. If you know how to use your stove, you won't be smoking out your neighbors. Most of the problems come from older stoves or stupid people that burn garbage. I'm sure some of the heat goes up the chimney, but I have my house temp between 72 - 76, depending on the wife I also get 12 plus hours of burn time, so I am not comstantly having to fill the stove or plan my day around the stove. If that is considered in-efficient, then I'll still take it.
When they make a gasifier with a longer burn time or that doesn't have everyone running out putting in storage tanks the size of your car, then maybe I will consider one, but I don't see it happening. I also don't have to worry so much about making toothpicks out of logs so they will fit in the stoves burner.

Would have been more helpful if you stated what mfg./model and where you are located???? Have you burned wood that was cut the same year or was it more "seasoned"? I was at our county fair last night and spoke with a distr. of an OWB...of course claimed he had the best there is but he lost me when he spoke of burning wet wood and garbage in it!

 

[WILDSOURDOUGH]

As Eric said- they are not the most efficent wood burning applicences, and they are best when used in an area that doesen't effect neighbors- but they (mine) works very well with good hardwood and softwood, not too dry (cut into BIG log pieces and seasoned for 8-12 months).

Mine (a Central Boiler) seems to be well constructed, heavy plate in the firebox and water tank is insulated well too. This will be my 3rd winter with it- only thing I have had to replace is a door gasket. Wife and I am very satisfied with it- not too complex to use- fill it once in the AM, and again in the evening... only have to clean out the ash once every 2-3 weeks...easy.

Now...as for burning trash in it.... I know some do, it makes me sick and I think anyone caught doing it should be tied to a tree naked, overnight in the forest of Maine, in the dead of winter! Bet they wouldn't do it twice. It's a wood burning device--- burn clean wood only.

I think that those who burn wood in the northern states are going to be the lucky one's this winter- bad enough paying for gas in the car- can't afford to burn dinosaur bones to heat the home too, but I know alot of people are stuck with what they have- oil furnaces, live in-town- I feel very badly for them. They are going to have to do 'something' to keep warm durring winter- and they can't wait for 'govt.' to come to the rescue... it will be- make that- already is- too late.

 

[itsme again]

"""Would have been more helpful if you stated what mfg./model and where you are located???? Have you burned wood that was cut the same year or was it more “seasoned”? """

I have a Crown Royal Stove. Model 7200. I live in the bottom of the Adirondack park. I live in town. The first 2 years, the wood was cut only a month or 2 before burning.