Which boiler to buy, Vigas , Solo Innova 40 , or Froling?

[bigbobs]

Currently I am using a 1979 Tasso, 144,000 BTU cast iron wood boiler I was given for free. No UL label, smoke and creosote are produced. I would like to upgrade to a gasser. I have visited Tarm in Lyme and Travis showed me the Froling and demonstrated the starting of it which was very easy.
I went to Portland to the biomass expo and looked at all the different boiler on display and spent time at the Ahona both and looked over there wares. The Vigas is cheaper than the Froling.
I am leaning toward the Froling at this time. I am looking for a 500 gallon used propane tank for storage, Tarm's storage tanks were very nice, but pricey. I can weld so I can convert the tank over myself. If anybody has a plan for doing this they wish to share, please do.
My summer domestic hot water is done using a propane on demand condensing Rinnia, so I don't need to burn year round. I have a Crown Freeport cold start oil boiler for backup. I have 4 zones with one being used for a Boiler Mate for domestic hot water when the boiler is running. My baseboard heat load is 83,000 BTU's.
This past season we had 7500 HDD. I used about 125 gallons of oil when I was away and about 5 full cords of wood. I have 9 cords in the barn. I do dry my wood under cover out of the rain. I just ordered a moisture meter.

 

[heaterman]

Sounds like you're all set in a lot of the nuances connected with burning wood.
Seasoned fuel [check],
realize the need and benefit ofstorage [check]
backup system [check]

Go with the boiler you like. Get the piping integration figured out and enjoy cheap heat for many years.

 

[Clarkbug]

Bob, heaterman said things pretty well.

Pick the boiler/dealer/price you like. They are all solid units.

 

[hobbyheater]

Currently I am using a 1979 Tasso, 144,000 BTU cast iron wood boiler I was given for free. .

Could you post a picture or two of the old Tasso. I had one of the same vintage in the early 80s but have no pictures. I agree smoke and creosote were its specialty!

 

[Chris Hoskin]

bigbobs, if at all possible, install your 500 gallon LP tank vertically according to our "Automix - Single Tank" drawing. Don't get me wrong, horizontal is a lot better than nothing, and it would be unusual to be able to stand up a 500 gallon tank, but if you can it would be an ideal set up with a 30kW (102,500 btu/hr) gasifier. I assume you are aware of our 20th Anniversary Sale.

 

[maple1]

I can weld too, but I got a pro to do my tank.

 

[heaterman]

I will just add that when it comes to downdraft gasifers you have to go a very long ways to beat a Froling.

 

[bigbobs]

bigbobs, if at all possible, install your 500 gallon LP tank vertically according to our "Automix - Single Tank" drawing. Don't get me wrong, horizontal is a lot better than nothing, and it would be unusual to be able to stand up a 500 gallon tank, but if you can it would be an ideal set up with a 30kW (102,500 btu/hr) gasifier. I assume you are aware of our 20th Anniversary Sale.

I agree, the vertical tank you sell is the cats meow, Just a little over my budget at the moment!!. The standard 500 gallon propane tank installed vertically would not fit in my basement .And I did get your postcard in the mail about the sale.

 

[tjvt]

I've never run a boiler, so take with a grain of salt, but the Froling I saw at the Expo was a smooth operator. Seemingly easier to start a fire, and the external lever for cleaning the heat tubes is slick. These features stood out over the Vigas and Tarm Solo Plus. All nice, capable units, but I'd choose the Froling if I had the money.

 

[skfire]

My 8 year old daughter lights it, my 11 year old son loads it and runs the lighting sequence....all still under my supervision....but they have not failed me yet...
The Froling ease of operation is hard to beat.

Scott