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[zachhamel]

Hi Folks,

New member, been reading on here a lot for the past month or so figured it was time to join. I am wanting to build a boiler to offset my large propane bill and don't have a lot of coin at the moment. I came across the outdoor wood boiler from junk on instructables.

http://www.instructables.com/id/outdoor-wood-boiler-from-junk/?ALLSTEPS

I know it's not an efficient (at all) boiler set up, but I could build it with stuff on hand and I have enough sawmill slabs for 10 winters so wood cost is no issue. The aquastat and underground piping/wiring would all still be good for when I am able to build a better boiler in the future. I appreciate any advice, thanks a lot.

[dave_dj1]

In what way is it not efficient? I would say properly done and insulated properly it's probably as good as most.
I was going to build this exact one but have decided to go the two propane tank model instead (I have the other stuff on hand too).
Keep us posted,
dave

[willieG]

work with what you have (and can afford) after you have it working you will have time to plan your next one...and hopefully it holds out untill you can afford your next one.

[mlappin]

...and hopefully it holds out untill you can afford your next one.

Exactly, if your starting out with junk.....

Corrosion is the enemy of metal thats in contact with water. To me scrap or junk metal is already rust. You might be fine until you get the next one built but how long do you think it will need to last before you can start on the second?

[dukethebeagle]

i have built two like these.one is a rear exhaust like  on  instructables and the other is a top exhaust.
need any help or suggestions give me a shout.be glad to help.By ther way,i burnt about 14 cord of 18 inch wood in mine this winter.
started heating in september and still firing once a day to keep the dampness out.i was burning 10 to 11 in my indoor wood furnace over the last four years,so i don`t think 14 cord is that bad.

[willieG]

...and hopefully it holds out untill you can afford your next one.

Exactly, if your starting out with junk.....

Corrosion is the enemy of metal thats in contact with water. To me scrap or junk metal is already rust. You might be fine until you get the next one built but how long do you think it will need to last before you can start on the second?

big difference between "scrap" "junk" and "used"

i have built 5 and never bought  "new" material for any and they have served well

[dukethebeagle]

exactly willie.mine were all good materials to.don`t use ``junk``to build these things.
to much work and they won`t last to long.you can find good ones on kijiji or craigslist for 100 and they are new

[zachhamel]

Hey guys thanks for all the info. I have slightly changed my plans around and am thinking about using the firebox from a summeraire add on wood furnace instead of the water heater tank. I can get the whole thing for $100 it has a 32" deep x 30" wide and 34" high firebox, already has a flue pipe (would need extension) a door and a controlled damper. The furnace is near new so not a burnt out piece of junk firebox. My only concern would be if this would be able to maintain decent burn time with this size box? It would be heating a small well insulated house and a 16x28 insulated shop. Thanks again for all the help.

[BoilerHouse]

I don't think you should have any problem heating with that size of firebox.  Mine was only 30 inches in diameter and 30 inches long and that was before I reduced the size even more by lining it with firebrick.  I have no problem heating a 1500 (or so) sq ft poorly insulated farmhouse and 700 sq ft shop in a climate that saw two nights this past winter of minus 40 and many nights of minus 30.

[Sprinter]

Making due with what you have is better than paying the utility company period in my eyes. As long as you make your best effort to be clean, many good folks understand.

However if you want to go the extra step I would highly suggest looking Into one of the best designs out there by Garn. The exhaust makes a few more turns and even tho it's not a gasser it's is very efficient. It's the most efficient non gasser with a long successful track record of happy long term customers.
Another , but much more difficult to weld is the oldest boiler design in history, the scotch marine tube multi pass boiler. Found in everything high efficient, like Tarm, Froling, P&M and industrial scale 100 million KBTU steam boilers like Ford Rouge Factory. A small city itself.
Volume to firebox ratio is pretty important for good operation, hearth has a very accurate calculator to determine btu and burn ratio times. The worst case would be too small firebox to volume, but this is rare. Having plenty of volume with a non gasser is good for long cycle times and fewer loadings like the Garn. Homebrew is the best reward.

http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/burn_time_calculator

http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/using_storage_tanks_with_biomass

[martyinmi]

Are you sure that the Garn is not a gasser?
I've always heard that it's a side draft gasser, not a down drafter.

[slimjim]

If anybody is interested, we have some really nice doors that came off some scrapped out boilers, sizes vary, let me know what you are looking for!

[WoodMOJoe]

If anybody is interested, we have some really nice doors that came off some scrapped out boilers, sizes vary, let me know what you are looking for!

Slim, my buddy is looking for a loading door and something that would work for an ash door on a large homebuilt conventional unit.

Would you like him to call you?  Or do you want to private message me a couple/few sizes and prices?

Thanks.

[slimjim]

Thanks Wood Mojoe, PM sent to you with my phone #, I will be on Chebeaugue Island off the coast of Maine doing an install for the rest of the week but I think I will have Cell service

[WoodMOJoe]

Thanks Wood Mojoe, PM sent to you with my phone #, I will be on Chebeaugue Island off the coast of Maine doing an install for the rest of the week but I think I will have Cell service

Thanks, got it Slim, will pass it along to my buddy and he will get in touch with you.  Do you have any shaker grates?