USA made vs. Imports

[Scotty2]

Any problems with warranties, parts etc. with imported gasification stoves?
Frohling is on my short list...whereas most of the others are US mfg.
Regards, Scotty

 

[DoubleB]

I'm guessing you're asking about boilers imported from overseas?

Neither applies to me since my appliance is a furnace that is barely imported (Canada), but I'll still chime in that parts and warranty support has been excellent.

 

[STIHLY DAN]

What's wrong with going U.S made and supporting your fellow Americans?

 

[maple1]

There are some very ruggedly made USA boilers out there, that have been around a while.

(Garn, Wood Gun, Econoburn).

Also for the most part, the Import ones that I know of have been around a long time too and have great track records.

I likely wouldn't base the decision on just that factor (Stihly has a point though) - I don't think I have read of many of either needing warranty attention. At most maybe some control issues - and controls are usually an easy fix/swap. Anything catastrophic with either would likely result in a local welder being called in, or a trip to the scrapyard - unless it happened very early in its life, which again I don't remember hearing anything about.

OWBs are another story....

 

[JP11]

I think your DEALER is much more important than your manufacturer. None of us.. ok I should say VERY VERY few of us are speaking with or dealing with the manufacturers of these boilers. An honest dealer, who's going to be in the business for a long time is what you're looking for.

Now if some guy has a magnet sticker on his pickup, and he's telling you about all the green wood, trash, and wink, wink, even tires you can burn.. RUN!

JP

 

[Scotty2]

I think your DEALER is much more important than your manufacturer. None of us.. ok I should say VERY VERY few of us are speaking with or dealing with the manufacturers of these boilers. An honest dealer, who's going to be in the business for a long time is what you're looking for.

Now if some guy has a magnet sticker on his pickup, and he's telling you about all the green wood, trash, and wink, wink, even tires you can burn.. RUN!

JP

Finding a 'local' dealer is impossible...nay...finding a regional dealer is impossible. I'm not sure if it's just Oregon, and perhaps the fact I want one that's EPA phase 2 qualified, however I've yet to find a gasifier dealer in the Pacific NW, with the possible exception of the newly re-formed Greenwood Company...and they don't offer the larger sizes yet (and it's an updraft I'm told, vs downdraft with secondary fan). Thus, every mfg. I've contacted so far will sell direct to this area.
GARN is leading the pack so far, with some of the multi-fuel (Bio Mass, WoodMaster, HeatMaster), still being given consideration. GARN has me hesitating due to the work I'll need to do to insulate the unit.
Regards, Scotty

 

[maple1]

Doesn't have to be a local dealer - or I'd be crap out of luck. Mine is 1000+ miles away, couldn't be happier with him.

 

[arbutus]

Buy the Garn, check Heaterman's insulation kit or insulate it yourself.

 

[therdlesstravld]

Buy the best unit you can find and dont blink an eye about where its from. I drive a Japanese truck and use German made tools all day long because they're the most reliable and best quality. If you are buying something based off where its from and not its quality your just supporting mediocrity.

 

[Buzz Saw]

Finding a 'local' dealer is impossible...nay...finding a regional dealer is impossible. I'm not sure if it's just Oregon, and perhaps the fact I want one that's EPA phase 2 qualified, however I've yet to find a gasifier dealer in the Pacific NW, with the possible exception of the newly re-formed Greenwood Company...and they don't offer the larger sizes yet (and it's an updraft I'm told, vs downdraft with secondary fan). Thus, every mfg. I've contacted so far will sell direct to this area.
GARN is leading the pack so far, with some of the multi-fuel (Bio Mass, WoodMaster, HeatMaster), still being given consideration. GARN has me hesitating due to the work I'll need to do to insulate the unit.
Regards, Scotty

I think you will spend less time insulating the Garn vs installing storage, plumbing storage tanks and insulating storage tanks. Plus it's insulation, it's hard to mess up and if you do mess up it's an easy fix vs having to re plumb a mess up with storage.

The Garn is my #1 pick. I would have one right now if I hadn't of ran out of money on other projects. But that's another story.....

 

[JP11]

As others have said.. Doesn't need to be 'local' just a dealer. Dealer is used to dealing with customers. A manufacturer is used to dealing with dealers.

JP