Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

Outdoor Furnaces - Manufacturers with NON EPA-Certified Models Only => Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnace => Topic started by: poncho64 on December 15, 2010, 01:45:21 PM

Title: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: poncho64 on December 15, 2010, 01:45:21 PM
I purchased a Midwest Outdoor Wood furnace this summer and I am very pleased with it's performance thus far this heating season.  The manufacturer has been repairing all brands of furnaces for twenty years and building his own brand of furnace for 18 years.  The firebox is constructed of 1/4 mild steel and is a round firebox design.  The model I purchased is a MOWF 750

Est Weight (lbs)2340
Width: 54"
Length: 106"
Height: 58"

Firebox Length: 50"
Door Size: 20" x 20"
Inlet: 2 -1” npt
Outlet: 2 -1” npt
Water Capacity Appox 300 gals.
Fan Capacity 50 cfm
Approx. Sq. Ft. 7,500
WInsulation Walls R 19
Insulation Roof R 38


Others with this make of furnace please reply with your years of ownership and experience with these furnaces.



Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: rosewood on December 15, 2010, 06:06:54 PM
 i dont have one but the specs seem good, hows the pric.e and whats the claim of sq/ft heating.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: poncho64 on December 16, 2010, 05:58:20 AM
I paid $4600.  Mine is rated at 7500 sq ft. i would not buy any install packages i think you can do better with direct suppliers. This is a small business so I do not know how good the warranty and support is on the unit. Based on my limited experience I do not think support is very good.  I'm seeking other owners to learn their experiences.  The unit is fairy simple and I've purchased spare circ pumps, and  draft blower. All parts have been available from Grainger Supply, so i'm not fully dependent on support from the supplier.  I  hope to find out some performance track record on these furnaces from other owners.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on December 16, 2010, 07:27:12 AM
I'm very interested in these furnaces as well.  I've considered adding a second line of stoves to my business for a while now.  It's just finding out some information about them thats hard.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: poncho64 on December 17, 2010, 07:15:06 AM
I'd be happy to answer any questions I can about the unit.  I considered being a dealer but wasn't convinced there would be much support if there was an issue.  I like my unit , It works great and I think I can handle most any repair and maintenance.  It uses a Honeywell 419 aquastat, dayton 50CFM Blower( Round Flange) Wilo Star 16FX circ pumps.  I have a spare for everthing.   It is a round firebox design with no ash grate.   The firebox door opening is 20X20.  My unit weighs about 2380 #.  I did the installation myself without any issues.  The company owner delievered the  unit and placed it on my timber foundation.  The risk I think is the size ad stability of the company, I think I would make sure I received what I paid for as I went.  They did not require a dealer to purchase minimum units , he was willing to work on a unit by unit basis.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on December 17, 2010, 07:21:48 AM
How does it work out for you not having an ash pan or grate system?  Is it just a round bottom design?
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: poncho64 on December 17, 2010, 07:46:59 AM
I've been burning since Mid November and only taken ashes out twice.  My ash bucket is only a 5 gallon bucket.  I have such a firebox that I can put in plenty of wood to hold on these single digit nights.  I usally take my ashes out on the front only after I've put wood to the back.  I let them burn completly from the fan blower in the front remove acouple of shovels full, then rake the coals from the back forward with a garden rake.  I've never had the fire out , I'm not sure how many days it would take for all the hot coals in the furnace to burn. Round firebox like a Woodmanster.  With the Woodmasters you can add an ash auger but not with this unit.  I really have not seen a need for any thing other than taking a few shovels out.  I load the unit up at night but when i'm around home and can keep an eye on it and I starve it for wood so I can burn some of the coals off. 
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on December 17, 2010, 08:05:03 AM
I've been burning since Mid November and only taken ashes out twice.  My ash bucket is only a 5 gallon bucket.  I have such a firebox that I can put in plenty of wood to hold on these single digit nights.  I usally take my ashes out on the front only after I've put wood to the back.  I let them burn completly from the fan blower in the front remove acouple of shovels full, then rake the coals from the back forward with a garden rake.  I've never had the fire out , I'm not sure how many days it would take for all the hot coals in the furnace to burn. Round firebox like a Woodmanster.  With the Woodmasters you can add an ash auger but not with this unit.  I really have not seen a need for any thing other than taking a few shovels out.  I load the unit up at night but when i'm around home and can keep an eye on it and I starve it for wood so I can burn some of the coals off.

How about the craftsmanship and quality of the construction, welds, neatness, etc......   

I read they say something about spray foam insulation, then it says 19 walls and 38 roof.  Can you tell me more about that. 
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: poncho64 on December 17, 2010, 08:16:54 AM
The craftsman ship is good the welds are good.  I think he has modified his design since I bought my unit. My unit sits in I beams on timbers. His current design is on legs like theWoodmaster.  Mine is enclosed so I can't say about the insulation.  Mine is extremely warm when I remove the back access door so I'd say it's well insulated.  I think he has some units for sale on ebay if you want to see the newer design.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on December 17, 2010, 08:26:58 AM
I was hoping they didnt have legs........  They look neater on the ground
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: poncho64 on December 17, 2010, 09:16:29 AM
I don't know why he changed that unless it's costs.  I like mine on the I beams sitting on timbers. No wind underneath it.  I have the NOFW 750 which he calls a hybird model for the Upper Penn.   I think his highest selling model is the MWOF 500.  he custom builds boilers of any kind.  he told me he buit a large one for a hog operation here in Indiana that burns rolls of corn stalks. 
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on December 17, 2010, 06:03:09 PM
Yea, I beleive if I were going to order some from him I would have him make them like the old design.  I don't like the new look at all.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: yoderheating on December 17, 2010, 08:33:08 PM
Scott, I'm surprised you don't like the legs. Its a big selling point for me, with legs all you need are 4 cap blocks and no pad.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: poncho64 on December 18, 2010, 06:01:47 AM
No need to pour a pad.  Mine sits on treated timbers. The weight is equally distributed on the beams.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: yoderheating on December 18, 2010, 08:53:34 AM
 I like the timbers idea, I guess you could dig them into the ground and level them up. I just know that a pad can be a lot of work and money and many of my customers are looking to do it as cheaply as possible.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on December 18, 2010, 03:08:12 PM
I like the timbers idea, I guess you could dig them into the ground and level them up. I just know that a pad can be a lot of work and money and many of my customers are looking to do it as cheaply as possible.

Thats when I sell em a  natures comfort lol.  in regards to wanting the legs and 4 cap block.    I've had customers who really like the looks of the stoves that go all the way to the ground.  We can make some panels to make the NC do that but I like the idea of having a stove that comes that way from the factory.  I'm just looking around.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: jackel440 on December 18, 2010, 04:23:44 PM
I just went to thier site ,and I like how they cut and pasted thier stove on the overview page of how it works .Its the same picture of the cutaway house that CB uses.LOL!
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on December 19, 2010, 07:28:44 AM
I just went to thier site ,and I like how they cut and pasted thier stove on the overview page of how it works .Its the same picture of the cutaway house that CB uses.LOL!

that's the most popular cut and paste photo in the industry.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: yoderheating on December 20, 2010, 06:43:35 AM
I like the timbers idea, I guess you could dig them into the ground and level them up. I just know that a pad can be a lot of work and money and many of my customers are looking to do it as cheaply as possible.

Thats when I sell em a  natures comfort lol.  in regards to wanting the legs and 4 cap block.    I've had customers who really like the looks of the stoves that go all the way to the ground.  We can make some panels to make the NC do that but I like the idea of having a stove that comes that way from the factory.  I'm just looking around.
That is interesting, I can't remember anyone asking me if I sell a furnace with siding that goes to the ground. It just goes to show that not all markets are the same and a dealer has to adapt to where he is selling.
 I to would love to find another line of furnaces. In my opinion I sell a great line of SS furnaces but I do run into people looking for a mild steel furnace. If I could find a brand I like I would do it but I haven't found one.  CB and NC both have large dealer in the area and woodmaster doesn't allow their dealers to sell another brand. Those are the only brands I would feel comfortable selling, any suggestions?
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: poncho64 on December 20, 2010, 08:56:59 AM
That is exactly what I did. I used 4X6 treated tembers and dug them in level.  II had some utility pole crossarms and consideredusing them but opted to go with new timbers.  Cheap and works great!
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: tulenutn2o on December 20, 2010, 01:36:41 PM
$100 for my pad. Quick and easy.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: willieG on January 06, 2011, 04:49:39 PM
i know a guy who built his own and used spray foam on the water jacket...bad idea! he boiled the stove dry by leaving the door open, that caused the spray foam to start to melt  and he ended up with a big gap between the foam and the stove and i think that when the foam melted a lot of the insulation value was gone due to many many of the little air bubbles bursting and the foam shrinking. He said he would not use it again as boil overs do happen when you do something silly

just something to consider
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: hifonics5 on March 01, 2011, 07:48:05 AM
Hello
Glad I found this site.  I bought a Midwest stove last summer so this is my first season with it.  The only two complaints that i have is, one- the heat baffle at the top of the fire box is starting to warp downward, i just hope that is does not break away.
two- is it me or is Craig the hardest person in the world to get a hold of?  I can get through to the president faster.
other than that the stove has been good, heating the house and garage.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: rosewood on March 01, 2011, 03:40:52 PM
hifonics5,here 's an idea, call him from a unknown #,leave message your interested in buying a furnace,wait ten minutes for callback! new money always get a call.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: GBpackers on December 02, 2012, 06:49:15 PM
That would be a great idea if he has voice mail set up but he does not.

Midwest may have a well built stove but that does you no good when your customers service is as bad as it is....I do not know how he has survived this long.
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: CREW1 on December 11, 2012, 02:51:51 PM
I had enough of Craig after I purchased the boiler it finally showed up MINUS the pex and all the other hookup items I paid for. I simply asked to get the stuff shipped and weeks later it still was not here. He told me it was on its way multiple times but would not give me tracking info. At one point he sent me an email with links from Craigslist where he said I could buy pex locally....crazy. I filed a chargeback on my CC.....I think I will win with no problem. Stay clear of this clown. Lies nuttin but Lies....I should have bought a good boiler from Scott7m but tries to save money.....sometimes it pays to pay a few bucks more.....
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on January 01, 2013, 04:51:32 PM
Hey buddy, I warned ya and tried to tell you what was about to happen!  It pretty much went the way I figured it would!  Better luck next time, do you need help getting parts or what's going on now?  Give us an update
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: todd on January 08, 2013, 05:14:19 PM
I am on my third season with my midwest, today i cut out the bottom foot of what was left of the flue inside of the fire box now i only have about eight inches until it will breach the water jacket!!!! I know from past experience from this company that a call is futile.  Do not buy one of these!!
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Scott7m on January 08, 2013, 06:26:43 PM
I am on my third season with my midwest, today i cut out the bottom foot of what was left of the flue inside of the fire box now i only have about eight inches until it will breach the water jacket!!!! I know from past experience from this company that a call is futile.  Do not buy one of these!!

It takes a lot to be honest about a bad purchase.  Maybe you'll get a few more years out of it
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: CREW1 on January 26, 2013, 07:05:38 AM
Hey buddy, I warned ya and tried to tell you what was about to happen!  It pretty much went the way I figured it would!  Better luck next time, do you need help getting parts or what's going on now?  Give us an update

The moral to the story is find the right person to purchase your boiler and accessories from. Scott7m gave me a great deal and I passed due to a couple hundred dollars difference.

If I would have went with Scott right now I would be heating my home with the boiler he wanted to sell me.  I have had to buy fuel oil at 4 bucks a gallon since October while the credit card company tried to help get the transaction completed with Lying Craig at Midwest. It STILL is not resolved. The guy could have resolved the missing parts issue in less than 3 days but chose to blow me off and lie for a month.

I ended up calling Scott on Wednesday night to order the missing items from my purchase with Midwest. The pex and hot water heat exchange showed up in 2 days. I am working in 9 degree weather today trying to get the boiler going. Scott has been helping me with the hookup questions as well....and not charging me for his knowledge.

Scott IS a person who stands behind his business, wood boilers, he will be there after the sale as many others aren't when it comes to boilers. They wanna sell you and then they are gone. Scott was there for me even AFTER I bought elsewhere.

Do yourself a favor if you are researching buying a boiler. Call Scott7m and you will get the answers you need and the service you deserve. His number is under his ID on these threads.

Nope he isn't paying me to plug his business. I can assure you he knows his business and can help you research your needs and get a great deal for you. It's worth paying a few dollars more now than losing your butt long term. Boilers and accessories he is the guy.

JMHO

Crew1
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: Steinacher Sales on July 13, 2014, 09:46:42 PM
To all,

I've gotten several calls for Midwest because their Web site is similar to mine. They would call and rant and rave before I had a chance to say they had the wrong number. I am a Shaver Dealer and could only wish those poor folks good luck in getting in touch with the owner. I think he is based in Michigan?

Greg Steinacher
618-401-0726
www.midwestoutdoorfurnace.com (http://www.midwestoutdoorfurnace.com)
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: crew11 on January 03, 2015, 01:37:54 AM
Hey buddy, I warned ya and tried to tell you what was about to happen!  It pretty much went the way I figured it would!  Better luck next time, do you need help getting parts or what's going on now?  Give us an update

The moral to the story is find the right person to purchase your boiler and accessories from. Scott7m gave me a great deal  if I made him look like a hero and I took him up on it for a couple hundred dollars.

If I would have went with Scott right now I would be heating my home with the boiler he wanted to give me.  I have had to buy fuel oil at 4 bucks a gallon since October while the credit card company tried to help get the transaction completed with Lying Craig at Midwest. It STILL is not resolved.So I faked a claim with the credit card company and got my money back.Its what a scammer does. The guy could have resolved the missing parts issue in less than 3 days but chose to blow me off when I threatened him with lying on this forum.So now Im making stuff up here.

I ended up calling Scott on Wednesday night to order the missing items from my purchase with Midwest. The pex and hot water heat exchange showed up in 62 days. I am working in 9 degree weather today trying to get the boiler going. Scott hasnt been helping me with the hookup questions as well....and charging me for his knowledge. Another shameless plug.

Scott isnt a person who stands behind his business, wood boilers, he will be there after the sale as many others aren't when it comes to boilers. They wanna sell you and then they are gone. Scott was there for me even AFTER I bought elsewhere.But he paid me so it all worked out. I will threaten and berate anyone who wont give me what i want and then Ill reverse the charges on my credit card,send them threatening texts and use different usernames on this forum to make them look bad. I mean, nobody noticed that there hast been alot of activity except for my unproven stories and the nice money I got from Scott.

Do yourself a favor if you are researching buying a boiler. Call Scott7m and you will get the answers you need and the service you deserve. His number is under his ID on these threads.

Nope he isn't paying me to plug his business. I can assure you he knows his business and can help you research your needs and get a great deal for you. It's worth paying a few dollars more now than losing your butt long term. Boilers and accessories he is the guy.

JMHO

Crew1
Title: Re: Owners of Midwest Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Post by: CREW1 on January 05, 2015, 08:45:05 AM
Scott7 simply was there during my problems with Craig/Midwest/Synergy because he was on this site and offered to help. Scott offered free advice. This site is a great resource.

Crew11 is obviously Craig or his staff (like one other dude Jim) This is small potatoes company that claims its boilers are the best in America with a 20 year warranty. When you are buying one they promise the world then disappear. Fact!

I don't waste time to go after people unless they are wrong. These guys are wrong. So Not Buy a Midwest/Synergy Boiler unless you like getting screwed.