Outdoor Wood Boiler, what do you have, any problems with it?

[Piston]

I posted my experience to point out the disadvantages of living next to one of these contraptions.

Yes but the op didn't post about his neighbor getting one, he was asking for himself.

Those old smoky boilers you mention are not even legal to sell anymore in some states, and without looking it up, I believe NYS is one of those states. There is a huge difference between the old smoky ones, and the new EPA certified ones.

 

[RickB]

Yes but the op didn't post about his neighbor getting one, he was asking for himself.

Those old smoky boilers you mention are not even legal to sell anymore in some states, and without looking it up, I believe NYS is one of those states. There is a huge difference between the old smoky ones, and the new EPA certified ones.

Sounds like your neighbors have a neighbor just like mine.
As if the possible affects on one's surroundings shouldn't be a consideration before the fact rather than only after.
Open up your mind a little once in a while.

 

[jefwyn]

I posted my experience to point out the disadvantages of living next to one of these contraptions. Local regulations are limited to the state DEC in this instance. I don't expect my neighbor to quit using his OWB and go back to buying $4.00 heating oil to be neighborly. I know people that have OWB's and other people who live next to OWB's. Needless to say, opinions vary.
An outright ban on their use between May 1 and Oct 1 or something similar would probably be something I could live with.

I have one and am about 350 ft from my neighbors. I would never burn it in the summer. I would talk to your neighbor and if you get no satisfaction, go to your town board. You should not have to put up with that in the summer.

 

[blucoondawg]

Just to get back on topic here, I don't really care what my neighbors think of the boiler I put in if in fact I do put one in, I am in a rural area where my neighbors are quite far away, only one of them would be in a direction where smoke may possibly blow and that wouldn't happen often at his distance from me, and the wind would have to be just right, of the people living in this area we all burn wood and one guy already has an OWB, one of the less efficient models I mentioned in my original post. Also I haven't decided on which type I would get, the new efficient models, gassers as many of you call them, or the older type like the Central Classic. I only know one guy with a gasser type and many with the older style, I don't see any problems with the smoke from the older style as long as one burns decent wood, you burn garbage or green pine, then ya they smoke pretty bad. Most I have seen smoke minimally unless they are calling for heat then they smoke some until the draft closes again or blower kicks off, whichever style you have. The fella I know with the gasser type has a brand I am not familiar with and right now cannot remember the name, it isn't a Central though, he says his has small diameter pipes which the smoke travels through and these easily become clogged with creosote if your wood is not 100% dry, he has to go out with some brass brushes on long steel rods and ream out these ports or they clog and the stove isn't able to do it's job, seems like a big pain in the ***** to me, or maybe just a poor design.

 

[cqaigy2]

I would try and talk to my neighbor about this first,this would me a last resort,at least in my neck of the woods.

This really depends on your neighbor. Some years ago i had a stove that would burn coal or wood. Loved the coal, my neighbors put up with it for a while then while i was leveling out a spot for them on their property, they mentions the smell. I had not idea but my smoke evidently made a bee-line toward their house and smells something like burning tires. I made it a point to burn only dry seasoned wood in it from then on.

 

[jefwyn]

Just to get back on topic here, I don't really care what my neighbors think of the boiler I put in if in fact I do put one in, I am in a rural area where my neighbors are quite far away, only one of them would be in a direction where smoke may possibly blow and that wouldn't happen often at his distance from me, and the wind would have to be just right, of the people living in this area we all burn wood and one guy already has an OWB, one of the less efficient models I mentioned in my original post. Also I haven't decided on which type I would get, the new efficient models, gassers as many of you call them, or the older type like the Central Classic. I only know one guy with a gasser type and many with the older style, I don't see any problems with the smoke from the older style as long as one burns decent wood, you burn garbage or green pine, then ya they smoke pretty bad. Most I have seen smoke minimally unless they are calling for heat then they smoke some until the draft closes again or blower kicks off, whichever style you have. The fella I know with the gasser type has a brand I am not familiar with and right now cannot remember the name, it isn't a Central though, he says his has small diameter pipes which the smoke travels through and these easily become clogged with creosote if your wood is not 100% dry, he has to go out with some brass brushes on long steel rods and ream out these ports or they clog and the stove isn't able to do it's job, seems like a big pain in the ***** to me, or maybe just a poor design.

I have the 6048 classic and although I would not burn in the summer because of neighbors, I think the smoke issue with these is over blown. A little consideration goes a long way. The classics can't be any simpler to operate. I put wood in twice day, not because I need to, but because I find I have better control over how much I burn. I could easily get away with once a day, most of the time. I have a 3400 square foot farm house, built in 1832. Not real tight as you can imagine. Heat the house to 73 or so all winter and heat my water. The classics work great and given a choice I would go with the classic for ease of use. The gasifiers are getting better, but don't think they are as good yet. I have my own wood source, if I didn't, I don't know if it would be worth it. I burn 25 to 30 face cord a year. Hope this helps, if you have a question I did not answer let me know. I would be happy to help if I can.

Oh, I have had it for four years and no problems yet. I replaced a pump at 3 and half years. They run twenty four seven six month a year, so I don't think that is terrible.

 

[blucoondawg]

I have the 6048 classic and although I would not burn in the summer because of neighbors, I think the smoke issue with these is over blown. A little consideration goes a long way. The classics can't be any simpler to operate. I put wood in twice day, not because I need to, but because I find I have better control over how much I burn. I could easily get away with once a day, most of the time. I have a 3400 square foot farm house, built in 1832. Not real tight as you can imagine. Heat the house to 73 or so all winter and heat my water. The classics work great and given a choice I would go with the classic for ease of use. The gasifiers are getting better, but don't think they are as good yet. I have my own wood source, if I didn't, I don't know if it would be worth it. I burn 25 to 30 face cord a year. Hope this helps, if you have a question I did not answer let me know. I would be happy to help if I can.

Oh, I have had it for four years and no problems yet. I replaced a pump at 3 and half years. They run twenty four seven six month a year, so I don't think that is terrible.

Yes I agree with the smoke issue, I have never seen it as an issue with the boilers unless something is being burnt like garbage or wet pine wood, you have the larger Classic stove, I don't know if I would need one that large, I have heard both ways, large water capacity is good, and some claim small water capacity is more efficient, I would lean toward large capacity being better so long as the firebox is large enough with enough surface area to transfer the heat to the water efficiently.

 

[mikehaugen]

not to hijack the thread, but had a quick question for the op- you say that you currently have an add-on furnace in the basement, this is what I was considering getting. Besides the chimney issue and the allergy issue, are there any other reasons you would be against them? Is there really noticeable levels of smoke in the house from it? Maybe I should be considering an outdoor boiler, they are just pricey, and I think I would be more likely to get the wife to fill the furnace in the basement than to go out in the cold to fill the boiler

 

[cqaigy2]

I burn 25 to 30 face cord a year. Hope this helps, if you have a question I did not answer let me know. I would be happy to help if I can.

How much wood is that in cord measure? I don't know anything about this kind of wood burner so don't know how long your wood is. Mine stove is only 14" so i imagine a face cord for my stove would be much smaller amount then what you are talking about.

 

[flyingcow]

How much wood is that in cord measure? I don't know anything about this kind of wood burner so don't know how long your wood is. Mine stove is only 14" so i imagine a face cord for my stove would be much smaller amount then what you are talking about.

should only use the true cord measurement. 4x4x8=128cu/ft in a cord. If it's 14 inch wood, just do the math.