Thinking of getting one just looking for some input? Thx.

 

I used to have a Central Boiler - mid-size unit - took 4ft long logs and would burn all night. Had plenty of hot water for heating and showers. Used it for the house and two barns. http://www.centralboiler.com/models.php

 

Ive heard of a lot of things, but WHY would you want to boil wood????

 

WOOD SOUP!!!!!!! but seriously, had a buddy who used a wood boiler, and he cracked a few pipes before he got it all dialed in.

 

I dont think a true boiler is something that alot of people should have access to. lots of power stored in the water when it boils in a pressureized vessel.

 

Hate to have to say it but this is just another thing the emissions police are cracking down on . http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=1&gl=us
If you buy one and your neighbors complain of the smoke it'll probably have to go .

 

Yep. With oil prices skyrocketing, wood burning is getting popular again. Problem is, wood is too freely available and not taxed, so the govt. is figuring out how to crack down on it. They usually institue suck crackdowns under the guise of "environmental protection."

There's something wrong when your own government wants to regulate mankind's most most primal discovery: Fire. What's next, government regulation of the wheel and the spear?

 

many newer wood stoves are EPA compliant, and can be used 365 days/year, and there's nothing the gov't can do to stop you.

 

Anybody that ever cleaned the soot out of chimney won't have that problem with a wood boiler.

 

Make sure it has the right PR valve so we don't hear about you on the news - like the do-it-yourself solar inventors and exploding WHs! I wonder how you control temp (HW boiler) or pressure (steam boiler) with wood? You'll go nuts trying to control the water treatment if the PR valve blows a lot. Craig

 

AHhhhh but they can. If you live in a EPA classified NON-ATTAINMENT area they can fine ($$$$$$$$) you for burning on days that air quality is poor.

 

I had an OWB for 3 years and absolutely hated it ! My wife hated it even more when I was at work she had to go out in the freezing blowing snow to fill it. It was not a good situation.
Then I built my garage and sold the wood eating OWB and put an INDOOR boiler inside my garage. It was about half the price of a OWB, is ASME stamped and is WAY, WAY more efficient. Not to mention no more standing in the blowing snow to tend the fire... If you don't have a garage you could always just put it inside a Home Depot shed and STILL save a few grand..

Most OWB are non pressureized so an explosion is not going to happen.
My indoor unit is pressureized ( which is believe is why they last so much longer) and it has not just a Pressure relief valve but it also has a soft plug.

BTW--- have you ever seen an old OWB? I haven't. Makes me wonder why...

If you want some more info I dug up on indoor boilers when I was in the market for one just shoot me a PM.

 

Easily. An Aquastat turns on the combustion blower that feeds the fire oxygen. Once the water gets to the proper temp ( usually around 180 degrees) the aquastat stuts down the combustion blower which starves the fire of oxygen. Couldn't be simpler really.

A pressure reducing valve is used to control pressure. but like I said earlier, Outdoor Wood Boilers are non pressureized.

 

Can anyone explain why these wood boilers are SO expensive?

I really like the idea, get out of using the ashy woodstove, keep the smoke and potential danger OUTSIDE.

But, come-on, $5g's plus?

Makes it unattainable for the average guy.

 

$5k ? More like $7k for a good one... That is why the indoor ones are so attactive.