Used wood furnace questons.

[ChuckV309]

I am looking at a used wood burning furnace from Sears. It is a model 336. I can't find any info on this furnace. If anyone knows any info, or where to get it, I would appreciate it. The owner can't tell me much. I would like the btu, log size, cfm of blower, flue size, etc. The owner only wants $75 for it and it includes some piping too.

I am new to wood burning and trying to get all the info I can.

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[Eric Johnson]

Welcome to the Boiler Room, Chuck.

Used woodburning appliances are a crap shoot, and used furnaces can be in pretty rough shape, since there's no cooling water to keep things from overheating. If I were you, I'd find somebody locally who knows something about stoves and furnaces and have them take a look at it. You'll want to look for evidence of overfiring, which can weaken or crack welds and other important components. I don't know anything about Sears furnaces, but I have owned a wood-fired furnace.

If you're going to burn wood successfully, you need 1.) a good supply of dry wood, 2.) a Class A chimney (stainless steel or ceramic lined brick) in good condition, and 3.) an appliance in good repair.

A licensed chimney sweep can probably help you determine the first two.

 

[ChuckV309]

Thanks Eric. I was just looking for specs, so I could figure out if it was even big enough for my needs. If it is, then I would inspect it before I would buy it.

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[mtnxtreme]

Also looking at a used unit and under construction. Is it OK to use a wood boiler like a woodstove temporarily, with no water hooked to it, or would it mess up the coils?