Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: poorboy on January 20, 2013, 09:25:22 AM

Title: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: poorboy on January 20, 2013, 09:25:22 AM
I am looking at a Ridgewood stove built in Hearsy mi...I have read alot and spoke with Craig the owner...anyone out there running one? would appreciate some feed back thanks, poorboy
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: andrewstrucking on January 20, 2013, 06:55:31 PM
Hi poorboy, i'm running the ridgewood 7500 (2nd year) 2 buildings plus dom. water. furnace sits 200 ft. from house, no problems what so ever, my buddies with the forced air furnaces had me worried about the natural draft but from what I've seen they have to replace there fans often ( about once a year) and I dont have that problem. I burn what ever I can get my hands on (green, old punky), no issues. burn times are simular to my buddies stoves.and I'm diggin on the savings. I believe ridgewood will tell you if someone has a furnace near your location, so you can check it out. good luck
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 20, 2013, 09:08:00 PM
The reason air furnaces are replacing fans has 0 to do with a draft fan on a water furnace.  A fan is an extremely rare failure on an owb.  The fans air furnaces replace is exposed to absolutely crazy high temps
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: poorboy on January 21, 2013, 07:28:30 AM
Andrewstrucking...Thanx for the reply, I have a question to ask that I keep forgetting to ask Craig (owner) the exhaust/smokestack inside the firebox does it circulate the smoke to get a little of the gasses burnt before exiting? and where do you live in mi....would like to check out a stove if there is one close to the thumb of mi. Thanks Poorboy
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 21, 2013, 08:25:51 AM
I know 2 guys that have these stoves. A wise man once told me " You get what you pay for".
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: poorboy on January 21, 2013, 08:34:49 AM
victor6deep...this does not tell me anything....people can say that about any brand name stove...tell me more please...have a good day... poorboy   :)
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: poorboy on January 21, 2013, 09:31:16 AM
Hi poorboy, i'm running the ridgewood 7500 (2nd year) 2 buildings plus dom. water. furnace sits 200 ft. from house, no problems what so ever, my buddies with the forced air furnaces had me worried about the natural draft but from what I've seen they have to replace there fans often ( about once a year) and I dont have that problem. I burn what ever I can get my hands on (green, old punky), no issues. burn times are simular to my buddies stoves.and I'm diggin on the savings. I believe ridgewood will tell you if someone has a furnace near your location, so you can check it out. good luck
Are you saying your friends are blowing hot air into the house or hot water hooked up to a forced air furnace in their homes? thank..Poorboy
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 21, 2013, 09:41:15 AM
The fans on an air furnace blow air, they have a duct fan that ties into the duct work.  There a joke


In regards to the ridge wood stove, it's not capable of burning off the gases.  It's a conventional boiler, conventionals that have forced air under and over the fire can burn some gases, but this model no. 


Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 21, 2013, 09:47:00 AM
Can I find one of these at Toys R Us?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: poorboy on January 21, 2013, 10:02:08 AM
I know 2 guys that have these stoves. A wise man once told me " You get what you pay for".
With all due respect you have not answered my question...and you haven't backed up your words...Poorboy
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: poorboy on January 21, 2013, 10:31:12 AM
The fans on an air furnace blow air, they have a duct fan that ties into the duct work.  There a joke


In regards to the ridge wood stove, it's not capable of burning off the gases.  It's a conventional boiler, conventionals that have forced air under and over the fire can burn some gases, but this model no.
Scott...thanks for the info on smoke reburn...all I am trying to do is to find accual pros and cons on ridgewood stoves...I am sure if you google you will find something wrong or a customer dislike on any brand...thanks Scott...Poorboy
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 21, 2013, 10:37:22 AM
I know 2 guys that have these stoves. A wise man once told me " You get what you pay for".
With all due respect you have not answered my question...and you haven't backed up your words...Poorboy

I am sure the stove will meet your needs. For the price of the stove it is definently worth a try. They seem well built and I probably woulda bought one if I woulda looked around longer. I know they use a propane tank for the firebox which I don't know what that can handle as far as heat. I mean you figure 10grand for a whole setup for any other brand and maybe 6 grand for the whole setup from ridgewood. I would think they are just as good but not big overhead compared to the big name stoves.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 21, 2013, 10:37:31 AM
That's true..  No one has ever built the perfect stove. 

However there are some that have more issues than others.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 21, 2013, 10:42:03 AM
Small companies come and Go all the time.  It's a toss up as to whether they'll be here next week or not. 

Natures comfort does have an economy boiler, it has everything it needs to work as long as your not heating over 2500-3000 square feet.  It has an aquastat, forced draft, all the things it takes to make it work.  The only thing it doesn't have is an ash pan.  However for those wanting a economy based stove from a bigger manufacturer, there hard to beat.  $3880 plus shipping
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: poorboy on January 21, 2013, 11:16:27 AM
Small companies come and Go all the time.  It's a toss up as to whether they'll be here next week or not. 

Natures comfort does have an economy boiler, it has everything it needs to work as long as your not heating over 2500-3000 square feet.  It has an aquastat, forced draft, all the things it takes to make it work.  The only thing it doesn't have is an ash pan.  However for those wanting a economy based stove from a bigger manufacturer, there hard to beat.  $3880 plus shipping
Scott7m...thank you very much...there is a rep in my town of Caro mi. he is going to put a packet together and will meet him on wed...he has a md 80...my house is under 2000 sf...Poorboy
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Hartwa on January 22, 2013, 08:23:05 AM
I am getting a ridgewood on Monday....  What sold me is the thickness of the firebox and of course the price.  When I started reading reviews and what to look for everyone said you want the thickest firebox you can afford....well it just so happens that outside the shaver boiler the ridgewood has the thickest firebox at 3/8" and the price is 3500.

I am a little concerned about the small company...but all companies start small and maybe do there best work when they are trying to build a name for themselves....

I hope I made the right choice.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: fryedaddy on January 22, 2013, 08:42:58 AM
A thick firebox isn't necessarily a good thing.

I've read many companies posting the thickness of fireboxes but with a conventional (no experience with a gasser)
as long as you MAINTAIN your stove they can last a very long time. The stove I ran in my house previously
was built around 1984 and was taken out of service this winter and had a 3/16" firebox.

My father has the same style stove as my previous and is as old as I am 30+ years. If you maintain
these stoves by keeping the proper treatment in them they should last a long time. This is assuming
the firebox and stove has been welded together and installed properly.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 22, 2013, 09:27:28 AM
Yep the thick firebox thing will bite you in the butt.   1/4" is plenty thick enough to give you longevity to last as long as need be as long as your doing your part.  it takes btu's longer to travel through thicker materials, hence giving them more time to exit the stack.  thats an analogy but one that hopefully most can understand.  my neighbor has a 3/8" firebox, and i can attest its noticeably harder on wood than other models
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 22, 2013, 09:30:18 AM
Yep the thick firebox thing will bite you in the butt.   1/4" is plenty thick enough to give you longevity to last as long as need be as long as your doing your part.  it takes btu's longer to travel through thicker materials, hence giving them more time to exit the stack.  thats an analogy but one that hopefully most can understand.  my neighbor has a 3/8" firebox, and i can attest its noticeably harder on wood than other models

Between You and WillieG I have learned a lot.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 22, 2013, 09:44:58 AM
Yep the thick firebox thing will bite you in the butt.   1/4" is plenty thick enough to give you longevity to last as long as need be as long as your doing your part.  it takes btu's longer to travel through thicker materials, hence giving them more time to exit the stack.  thats an analogy but one that hopefully most can understand.  my neighbor has a 3/8" firebox, and i can attest its noticeably harder on wood than other models

Between You and WillieG I have learned a lot.

there is more to things than initially meets the eye, when i first started out i assumed thicker meant better made.  not true at all.  i have since seen that the thicker fireboxes are being made by the smaller companies, not because its cheaper, because it shouldnt be!  but because they dont fully understand the processes of how a boiler operates.  i even had one manufacturer who is popular on the forum tell me that his thick steel made it more efficent cause it held heat longer.   i was like wow, you really think that?  why dont we just have a block of steel in the yard and circulate water through it?  this game is about transferring the btu's into the water, the water is our medium of transport for the btu, if its not going into the water, its wasted. 

at the same time though, you have to be thick enough to withstand the wear and tear and folks slinging wood in there and all of that.  I feel with standard mild steel that 1/4" is a safe bet..  1/2" fireboxes require over 26% more wood to put the same number of btu into the water. 

stainless steel is another story.  Stainless can be less corrosion resistant, but has the tendency to reflect heat.  heatmaster uses 409 stainless, it can handle heat cycles really well and is more resistant to corrosion than mild steel, there fireboxes are 10 guage, or around 1/8"  They arent having any issues with them either...

Hardy is an example of 304, its even more resistant to corrosion.  but very expensive, about 4 bucks a pound on the market.  So when hardy builds a stove, its made thin.  For one reason to save money, another to allow better heat transfer as 304 tend to be more reflective than lower grades of stainless.  a hardy firebox is 16 guage, or roughly 1/16" thick.  Empyre has stoves available made from 304 that is around 1/8" thick, but they cost far more than there mild steel siblings.

Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 22, 2013, 09:49:20 AM
Yep the thick firebox thing will bite you in the butt.   1/4" is plenty thick enough to give you longevity to last as long as need be as long as your doing your part.  it takes btu's longer to travel through thicker materials, hence giving them more time to exit the stack.  thats an analogy but one that hopefully most can understand.  my neighbor has a 3/8" firebox, and i can attest its noticeably harder on wood than other models

Between You and WillieG I have learned a lot.

there is more to things than initially meets the eye, when i first started out i assumed thicker meant better made.  not true at all.  i have since seen that the thicker fireboxes are being made by the smaller companies, not because its cheaper, because it shouldnt be!  but because they dont fully understand the processes of how a boiler operates.  i even had one manufacturer who is popular on the forum tell me that his thick steel made it more efficent cause it held heat longer.   i was like wow, you really think that?  why dont we just have a block of steel in the yard and circulate water through it?  this game is about transferring the btu's into the water, the water is our medium of transport for the btu, if its not going into the water, its wasted. 

at the same time though, you have to be thick enough to withstand the wear and tear and folks slinging wood in there and all of that.  I feel with standard mild steel that 1/4" is a safe bet..  1/2" fireboxes require over 26% more wood to put the same number of btu into the water. 

stainless steel is another story.  Stainless can be less corrosion resistant, but has the tendency to reflect heat.  heatmaster uses 409 stainless, it can handle heat cycles really well and is more resistant to corrosion than mild steel, there fireboxes are 10 guage, or around 1/8"  They arent having any issues with them either...

Hardy is an example of 304, its even more resistant to corrosion.  but very expensive, about 4 bucks a pound on the market.  So when hardy builds a stove, its made thin.  For one reason to save money, another to allow better heat transfer as 304 tend to be more reflective than lower grades of stainless.  a hardy firebox is 16 guage, or roughly 1/16" thick.  Empyre has stoves available made from 304 that is around 1/8" thick, but they cost far more than there mild steel


I know when I had my stove custom built I requested a 3/8 inch back wall just for if I do ram a log in the tove and it whacks the back. The rest is 1/4 a36 mild steel.





siblings.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 22, 2013, 09:53:24 AM
I know when I had my stove custom built I requested a 3/8 inch back wall just for if I do ram a log in the tove and it whacks the back. The rest is 1/4 a36 mild steel.

If I am correct the ridgewood firebox is a propane tank cut in half.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Hartwa on January 23, 2013, 01:09:36 PM
Yep...they are propane tanks.... 

It is true that thicker steel transfers less heat into the water...I did not consider that but I ran some numbers...

mild steel has a thermal conductivity of 25 BTU/ft hr F....at 1/4" this is 1193 BTU/Ft^2 hr F and at 3/8" it is 795.  33% less.  This matters if I am comparing two fire boxes with the same heat transfer area.  The ridgewood fire box has a surface area of 35ft^2...I can transfer energy at a rate of 27400 BTU/Hr F°.  If the 1/4" firebox has the same heat transfer surface are then yes...it will put more heat in the water... the ridgewood stove has a 35Ft^2 transfer area...I think that is pretty good size.

Interestingly enough...if you look at the thermo conductivity of SST at 9.25 BTU/ft hr F...a 1/4" firebox made with SST only can put out 444 BTU/Ft^2 hr F...63% less than the mild steel counter part.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 23, 2013, 01:12:32 PM
I've saw numbers similar, that's why hardy is soo thin as it is a higher grade stainless

Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 23, 2013, 01:13:37 PM
Is a propane tank even destructable as far as heat and fire go? You would think it would last forever.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 23, 2013, 01:16:19 PM
Is a propane tank even destructable as far as heat and fire go? You would think it would last forever.

It's just steel, it's to thick for my opinion...   

It will rust, corrode, and go through all the normal processes any other steel would.

No magic in propane tanks.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Hartwa on January 23, 2013, 01:23:15 PM
Yes...the original propane tank welds will not be an issue.  Where I got to trust Craig (owner) is the the welding on the flue and the front panel of the firebox.  The water jacket too I guess.

At $3500, sure there is some risk but I look at it as the same as buying a used car from a private person for that amount.  I might get a lemon and never see the guy that sold me the car again.  If I get a lemon with this boiler...I will be able to let everyone on the different forums out there know about it.

In that regard this is actually less risk...I trust someone that is trying to grow a business and reputation more that I would someone trying to sell a one time used car.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 23, 2013, 01:50:30 PM
Good point...

Ask him about the scientific date you found in regards to heat transfer, intereted to hear his response.  Because u have actual numbers there, many folks have the best intentions and do help folks reduce utility costs, but don't know the science behind it, it could be that with the right info he could build a more efficient stove just as cheap

Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 23, 2013, 02:10:10 PM
If I recall craig worked for a big owb company and went his own way
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on January 23, 2013, 03:12:36 PM
He may have, I think the primary reason hes using tanks is he's likely getting them wayyy cheaper than having a new piece of steel rolled
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 23, 2013, 03:16:11 PM
I would love to take my current propane tank and cut that in half and build a woodstove and then send a pic to my propane servicer. :post: :thumbup:
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Hartwa on January 23, 2013, 03:32:33 PM
He may have, I think the primary reason hes using tanks is he's likely getting them wayyy cheaper than having a new piece of steel rolled

He says that by reusing the propane tanks he saves us about a grand. 

In regards to the heat transfer being less with the thicker firebox.... you can still get the same overall heat transfer out of a this boiler as one with a thinner firebox.  Since heat transfer is per surface area I might be making it up with a bigger firebox.... I have not looked at the transfer surface area to thickness on other stoves to see how it compares.  If I get some time I will do that.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 23, 2013, 03:48:01 PM
No matter the differences you will save money and love it. Bottom line
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: superdave on January 25, 2013, 07:51:55 PM
Just my 2 cents,
I bought a ridgewood 3 weeks ago and love it.  I have talked to Craig several times after the sale with questions and he is always helpful and easy to get a hold of.  I bought the smaller model, and heat 3500sqft loading twice a day with 6 month seasoned wood.  I have no regrets.  Worst case he (Craig) goes out of business and warranty is no good, I don't forsee any problems, but if I have one, its not a Swiss watch, you just fix it yourself!
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on January 26, 2013, 01:22:28 PM
I was told by a buddy that these ridgewoods are selling like crazy, 40 stoves in a month.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on February 03, 2013, 11:58:28 AM
I just orderd the 6000 yesterday. I talked with several people that own the ridgewoods and there all very happy with there stoves. I'll be heating a 1,650 sf ranch with basement. I'm going with the thermopex 120 ft run.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: 6pacmac on February 04, 2013, 05:49:17 PM
I've had the 6000 job for a couple of seasons.  It works fine.  My burn times are all over the place, depending on the wood and temps out side.  I burn junk, rotted and dead wood.  Mostly dead, rotted cherry and dead, rotted poplar.  I have a lot of it.   That stuff burns quick, like about 8 hour quick.  At about 0 to 10 degrees outside.  Now dead and rotted oak, beach and locust,  which I don't have a lot of,  the burn time seems to be about 12-15 hour per load.   My loads seem to take up about 60-75% of the firebox.   What I do not like about my boiler:   The paint lob on mine is crappy.    Like some spots with  a complete lack of paint.  So I touched it up.  Wiring is a joke, but very simple.    I built a shed around mine, which I planned from the get-go , to keep the boiler and log splitter out of the weather.   But as I said, it works ok.   The damper flapper door needs to be lubed with WD40  from time to time, about once every 2-3 weeks,  so that it does not hang open a fraction of an inch.   If it hangs open a bit, it'll run hot.   One fellow on here, mremm,  has a Ridgewood stove but has had some trouble with his running  hot.  I don't know if his ever got sorted out.     Oh well, good luck
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on February 04, 2013, 07:19:29 PM
Just hope someone is home if the flapper don't seal.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on February 05, 2013, 04:45:00 PM
Talked with a guy that has the same stove and he said they fixed that problem
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: woodstovemomma on February 07, 2013, 06:03:44 PM
Ridgewood Stoves are a great outdoor boiler. Good solid construction and they warranty for 10 years!. My husband and I read many forums and this was by far the best option. We went right to where they were made and watched them being made. The recycled propane tank has 2  purposes: thicker gage steel and it saves the purchaser a ton of money so its a double win. Also Make sure you use good insulated pipe underground for your water transfer, keeping your water as warm as you can from stove to heated structure is what makes all the difference. Over all we love ridgewood and we have many friends and family members who have purchased after seeing how well the stove met our needs. Even my widowed mother in law bought one, it's a common sense buy, not rocket science.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: drillkru on February 17, 2013, 06:59:11 PM
I've been burning a central boiler for the past 12 years, we BUY our wood instead of propain and i've figured i have saved over $30 thousand.  My central boiler is close to being burned out.  I have done lots of research and i've been to the facility where Ridgewood stoves are made.  I believe that Ridgewood stoves are a better stove for half the money of a central boiler. I have know Craig the owner, personally for over 10 years and he is one of the most honest and hardest working people that i know. You can believe whatever he tells you and that means a lot to me.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: 6pacmac on February 18, 2013, 07:03:40 AM
What happen to Tim ? I thought he was the main man at Ridgewood.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on February 18, 2013, 04:03:17 PM
I've been burning a central boiler for the past 12 years, we BUY our wood instead of propain and i've figured i have saved over $30 thousand.  My central boiler is close to being burned out.  I have done lots of research and i've been to the facility where Ridgewood stoves are made.  I believe that Ridgewood stoves are a better stove for half the money of a central boiler. I have know Craig the owner, personally for over 10 years and he is one of the most honest and hardest working people that i know. You can believe whatever he tells you and that means a lot to me.

Ridgewoods are a legit stove I wish they would add a bypass handle instead of eating smoke.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: golffanman on February 23, 2013, 02:32:57 PM
Hi,  I'm a newbie on this forum and want to put in an OWB this year. Ridgewood is about 12 miles from me. I'm going to visit their shop. It seems like this stove might be just right for me as we have a smaller house and a small workshop to heat. Is the firebox on this stove round and does the water circulate all around it?  This sight is very informative, glad I joined.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on February 23, 2013, 02:54:59 PM
Hi,  I'm a newbie on this forum and want to put in an OWB this year. Ridgewood is about 12 miles from me. I'm going to visit their shop. It seems like this stove might be just right for me as we have a smaller house and a small workshop to heat. Is the firebox on this stove round and does the water circulate all around it?  This sight is very informative, glad I joined.

Buy one. I wish I knew about them before I paid 7 grand for my stove.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on February 23, 2013, 04:09:27 PM
Hi,  I'm a newbie on this forum and want to put in an OWB this year. Ridgewood is about 12 miles from me. I'm going to visit their shop. It seems like this stove might be just right for me as we have a smaller house and a small workshop to heat. Is the firebox on this stove round and does the water circulate all around it?  This sight is very informative, glad I joined.

Yes it's round, 3/8" thick propane tank.  Well built, and for the money, hard to beat
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on February 23, 2013, 04:33:49 PM
Have one being deliverd in the morning
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: mikey37 on February 26, 2013, 05:54:39 PM
just wondering if automan got his stove hooked up?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: golffanman on February 27, 2013, 07:21:31 PM
Stopped by the Ridgewood shop today and got a chance to talk with Craig. I will be buying a stove from him. Not only is the stove a nice unit,  but Craig is a great guy. He didn't try and talk me into buying his stove and wouldn't say a bad word about anybody else's.  He took me around his shop and answered all of my questions. He told me about a guy that had one of the "old"  ridgewood stoves  that developed a water leak (from an old assembly process that has since been changed).  Long story short,  Craig delivered a new updated stove to the guy no charge. He believes in servicing his customers and I believe in his brand.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on February 27, 2013, 07:56:30 PM
For 3500 bucks I would replace them for free of charge also.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on February 28, 2013, 02:56:27 AM
They dropped my stove off Sunday but It will
Be a while before I hook it up.  The stove really looks great.
I went with a dark tan color
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: golffanman on April 06, 2013, 05:15:14 AM
Automan77........how's your install coming along?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on April 06, 2013, 07:40:29 AM
I was able to speak to a couple owners who had their stoves litterally catch on fire due to the solenoid chain hanging up causing the air flow to not stop. Both these were replaced free of charge. I ain't knockin the stoves but wonder if the flaw has been fixed?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on April 06, 2013, 07:50:32 AM
What caught on fire?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on April 06, 2013, 07:54:02 AM
It boiled over all the water and the foam around the water jacket went up in flames. Hopefully the flaw is fixed.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on April 06, 2013, 07:56:21 AM
Yea that wouldn't be hard to fix.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on April 06, 2013, 07:58:10 AM
Now I know what was happening when I was coming home from work and seen steam shooting out of someones stove :bag:
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on April 07, 2013, 07:00:55 AM
waiting for some extra cash to come in so i can  purchase my underground pex and other things.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Bull on April 07, 2013, 07:36:11 AM
what kind of aquastat do they use on this owb?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on April 07, 2013, 07:37:01 AM
what kind of aquastat do they use on this owb?

Love
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on April 07, 2013, 07:49:37 AM
Its not the aquastat its the chain that holds the draft door. Kinda like a toilet chain when it gets hung up the toilet uses lots of water.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Slick on April 07, 2013, 06:17:03 PM
Hello everyone, My name is Brent and I live in northern Saint clair county, Jeddo area and I am on vacation this week because I am in the market for a outdoor wood boiler and I was looking at the Ridgewood outdoor boiler.. I notice that allot of people had went to his shop and checked out his operation so I kinda feel I dont nee to do that. But I would love if I could come and check out ridgewood 6000 in action so if any of you would not mind educating a stranger on these boiler and letting me look at your ridgewood boiler I would very much appreciate it.. You can call me at  I am headed to Bens in Brown city in  the morning, I dont mind driving to come check it out.. Thanks Brent 
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Bull on April 07, 2013, 10:05:29 PM
Haven't heard of love aquastets, how do they compare to ranco?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on April 08, 2013, 06:07:20 AM
There is no more chain on the draft door, it is now a spring. Craig told me the chain links would tangle and hang up when solenoid slams open. Automan, I'm Avoca, if you want to look at mine. I'll try calling you also. I did have one solenoid go bad, this winter and hold door open, but since it is not made by Ridgewood, can't fault them. Neighbor has a woodmaster that uses same part. After letting Craig know that solenoid stuck open he sent me a new one, even after I told him he didn't need to. I feel so far he will stand behind his product.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on April 08, 2013, 06:14:21 AM
Oops, I misread, I should have addressed slick not automan.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on April 08, 2013, 09:35:00 AM
Haven't heard of love aquastets, how do they compare to ranco?

There probably one of the most popular, woodmaster and empyre as well as others use them

Compared to ranco, they did have a bad batch in about 2010 that came out on some heatmasters, but other than that particular batch, I've not had any trouble with them
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Slick on April 08, 2013, 04:46:58 PM
Thanks speed for letting me check it out very much appreciated..
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Bull on April 08, 2013, 05:06:23 PM
Thanks Scott
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on April 08, 2013, 09:08:34 PM
No problem, glad I could help.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: golffanman on April 27, 2013, 05:20:58 AM
Drove out to Hersey and purchased my new Ridgewood yesterday.  They are on sale right now for $3000.00 (spring special) . Always good to talk with Craig.  Again, he took the time to answer my many questions.  Delivery in three weeks.  I'm going to use 5 layer Z supply pex for my install. 
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on April 27, 2013, 06:57:46 PM
Good deal Craig seems to be a real good guy. He's delivering my insulated pex and pump next week.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: golffanman on June 28, 2013, 03:40:42 PM
Gary delivered my stove on 6-11 along with the accessories for the install. Perfect delivery, touch down on the cement pad I poured. Trench was dug Tuesday, I rented a jack hammer and punched a hole in the garage floor. Dug out under the house to get the pipe through there.  All of the wiring (12/2 for the pumps, 14/2 for a light, 3 cat 5 wires, 2 RG-6 wires) is in the trench and the pipe will follow. Gotta get the trench filled in, it's a pain walking around that. Then the hook up begins. I'm very happy with the Ridgewood team and the support.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on June 28, 2013, 07:03:22 PM
I"ll have my install complete this weekend
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: bzbranch on June 29, 2013, 10:27:15 AM
In regards to the ridge wood stoves, you get what you pay for. My mother tried one and it would not heat her home. Stove could not maintain temperature, had a burn time of 5 hours. Not a good designed stove. She now has a e-classic by central and what a difference. She loves it. Incredible burn time, usually 2 to 2 1/2 days. I've had my central boiler for over 20 years and still going strong. When it comes to stoves there is no comparisons. NO TO RIDGE WOOD.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on June 29, 2013, 08:45:43 PM
 Mine will maintain temperature with two buildings and dhw, below zero with a stiff wind with good hardwood in it. Can't maintain temp and out of wood in 5hrs? I can't imagine what kind of load it would take to do that with a full load of hardwood. Especially if a CB can run 2 days with same house? Something isn't adding up here. What's the rest of the story?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on June 29, 2013, 08:51:16 PM
The rest of the story is he is prolly a central boiler dealer  :bash:
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on June 30, 2013, 08:17:33 AM
Yea...  2 days on any stove shows it being grossly oversized to the point of lots of problems due to creosote formation and a lot of other things.

To say one stove won hold fire for 5 hours and another one does from 48-60 hours is self explanatory.

I carry the Ridgewood line to give folks in my region more options, they are at a totally different price point than all the brands in my area and seem to attract a whole other type of customer.  I see nothing wrong with the build or design, especially when you are shopping on a budget.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on June 30, 2013, 05:48:30 PM
Hey speed I got mine all hooked up this weekend . Did a pressure test and all went good. I might fill it and start heating my water next week.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on June 30, 2013, 08:21:38 PM
 :thumbup: Cool! Glad to hear it. I guess disregard part of my PM then. Just make sure your pumps are circulating before you get a fire going and you're in business! And let your water level get where it wants to be before adding treatment, day or two of it operating should be fine. Then send us a picture of your permanent smile around next Christmas when you realize the propane man hasn't visited yet, and won't be visiting any time soon!
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: golffanman on July 01, 2013, 05:12:55 AM
 :thumbup:
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on July 01, 2013, 05:14:18 AM
I had 2 ridgewoods and they both started on fire.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: sabercat on July 01, 2013, 08:36:31 AM
I had 2 ridgewoods and they both started on fire.

Tell us more, I've had a couple chimmeys get hot. Was it electrical?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on July 01, 2013, 03:07:12 PM
:thumbup: Cool! Glad to hear it. I guess disregard part of my PM then. Just make sure your pumps are circulating before you get a fire going and you're in business! And let your water level get where it wants to be before adding treatment, day or two of it operating should be fine. Then send us a picture of your permanent smile around next Christmas when you realize the propane man hasn't visited yet, and won't be visiting any time soon!

I will have a smile for sure. Next time your in my area stop in for a cold brew
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: slimjim on July 03, 2013, 06:54:58 AM
Does that invite include all of us, did I hear PIG ROAST and free BEER
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on July 04, 2013, 06:29:53 AM
We can have a wood splitting and stacking party
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on July 04, 2013, 03:23:00 PM
Does that invite include all of us, did I hear PIG ROAST and free BEER

I like the way you think!
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on July 04, 2013, 03:25:49 PM
We can have a wood splitting and stacking party

I usually have one everyday at home, I like the pig roast idea.  ;D
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on July 04, 2013, 03:28:57 PM
I actually did look at my first ridgewood stove yesterday and imo you get what you pay for. The stove works fine im sure but they don't even compare to any other stove above them. Exposed pump, door handle is a bitch, flapper door with lots of creosote blocking it up from closing tight tc. Once again im sure it works great but compared to my burnrite it can't come eeven close for quality.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on July 04, 2013, 09:16:55 PM
I actually did look at my first ridgewood stove yesterday and imo you get what you pay for. The stove works fine im sure but they don't even compare to any other stove above them. Exposed pump, door handle is a bitch, flapper door with lots of creosote blocking it up from closing tight tc. Once again im sure it works great but compared to my burnrite it can't come eeven close for quality.

I've never seen someone as all over the map on a topic. You started bad mouthing these, then said you wished you'd have bought one, then you had two that caught fire, now you're bad mouthing them again, and saying this is the first time you've ever seen one. And, all in this one thread. Wow. Funny stuff. Door latch ain't all that bad, check out Portage and Main's latch. There's one that will make you work for it. Exposed pumps? Can't see mine. Never saw creosote keep door from closing, but I know it will stick closed from creosote. I've told several people about this, its not a big deal. Keep a putty knife handy, scraping it when built up takes 30 seconds. Maintenance. Easier than sweeping a chimney! Heck, I also have to clean the windows on my truck. That mean the truck is junk? I'm sure they all have their own little quirks, if everyone is honest. I was actually going to build one last year, but I ran out of time, so I bought one. I figure its just as good as I would have built, without any learning curves. And for what I have into it, it does what I want it to do, I have no complaints at all. In one season the entire install has paid for itself. What possible reason could one give me, as to why I would want to spend 10k+ for a "better" big name unit? Efficiency? I know guys with big name units that are burning just as much wood as I am. Durability? My cousin has a big name unit that just sprang a leak. They are not above problems either. Are there features on high dollar ones that make them better? I suppose. But double the money better? I highly doubt it. These things are simply not that technologically advanced. They heat water with a wood fire. I'm happy with mine. You seem happy with yours. I don't recall ever reading any on going problems with these units. And, the few major things I've read about, it sounds like Craig stepped up and made them right. Why the nay saying against Ridgewood? Just curious.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: andyhowardcity on July 05, 2013, 05:37:18 PM
Anybody heard whether he is going to get UL listing for these?  My insurance company requires it.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on July 07, 2013, 12:48:28 PM
Andy, I believe I saw on his website that it has been UL tested now.  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: automan77 on July 07, 2013, 06:26:46 PM
Hey speed it does say there UL tested on the site. speed I put in the water treatment and let it circulate for a couple hours. Everything looks good no air in the lines and no leaks.  Thanks for stopping by I appreciate the help.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on July 07, 2013, 09:38:39 PM
UL tested but not UL listed, be sure to know the difference if your area requires the listing. 
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on July 08, 2013, 05:09:58 AM
I wondered about the wording. So its been tested, but not listed. I imagine it costs more money out of a manufacturers pocket to get listed?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: andyhowardcity on July 08, 2013, 05:01:57 PM
Well, I imagine the testing is a start at least. I believe my insurance requires a listing with sticker/placard
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on July 08, 2013, 06:24:50 PM
Scott, since you are carrying them now, can you shed some light on the difference maybe?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on July 08, 2013, 06:45:48 PM
The wiring obviously is not UL listed since it is stripped out of the sheathing. I doubt he used approved connectors on the pumps etc.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on July 08, 2013, 06:55:56 PM
He tested them yes.  They did pass the UL listing test, however for them to be put on the its would cost at least 25,000.  A lot of money for a small business. 

Now, that being said, I haven't talked to Craig in 2 weeks but that's what I was told then.  Same thing you guys are seeing.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: andyhowardcity on July 09, 2013, 07:32:59 PM
Thanks for the update, Scott. I have been to the factory and was very impressed at the transparency.  I got to see the welding being done and everything.

Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: golffanman on August 02, 2013, 09:55:00 AM
I visited Craig a couple of weeks ago and we talked about UL Testing and Listing. He took one of his stoves to the UL testing lab in Wisconsin. They spent three days there and passed the UL test. Craig gave me a copy of the UL testing on his stove. I'm sure if you asked him, he would send you a copy.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: fryedaddy on August 02, 2013, 10:40:41 AM
The company that made my stove has an option to provide the UL listed certifications but charges an
additional $700.00 if it's required.

He tells you that upfront, I wonder if this is the case with Ridgewood but they just haven't completed the
process.

If he hasn't had enough people require the listing it may not be worth it.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: chillyhiker on August 21, 2013, 09:01:00 AM
any one shed any light on the recovery time for these stoves since its not fan induced? and victor6deep dont even bother responding I dont care about your thoughts
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on August 21, 2013, 09:31:25 AM
They do well, many stoves don't have forced draft and still get the job done.  Central boiler for example has made tens of thousands of them with no issues.  Fans can make it burn cleaner and smoke less, but all in all, they work and save you money and make you less dependent on "the system"

I received a load of ridgewood stoves yesterday and I'm more than impressed with the fit and finish and overalls design of the unit, there a great deal
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on August 22, 2013, 08:13:00 AM
As Scott7m said there are others without fans. The fan will just make it get going quicker and have less smoke. I prefer the natural draft, as there is one less thing to maintain, and one less piece to keep on the shelf as a spare.

Recovery time has lots of variables, is there a load on the stove or is it just building back up after load stopped? Is there just a bed of coals, fresh load of wood, or a full load that has cycled a dozen times? Is the load on the stove just the house furnace? Or is the garage heater on also? Along with the shower on in the house and someone washing dishes , too? I can say that it has never failed recover in a timely fashion, I've seen all the draw hit it at once, and yes, it will dip if the fire isn't already going when everything hits it at once, but when that fire gets going, it has never failed to gain ground and hit the 180° mark while still being under load. I will be working close by it today. I can try to time its recovery with no load, if you'd like, but there isn't a big load of wood in it. It won't be the same as a big rolling winter time fire recovering.

 One thing I have found with this stove, if firebox is empty, and you know a good load is going to hit it soon(i.e. teenage daughter taking hour long shower as soon as you fill with wood). Don't fill completely with cold wood. If you throw say 1/4-1/3 of a load of wood, let it get burning, come back a little later and fill completely. This does two things, the full firebox of cold wood doesn't suck heat out of the water while the house is drawing, and the smoke is kept to a bare minimum. And if you don't have the time to split the fill, well it'll still do its job just fine, if filled completely. Just thought I'd pass along something I learned while I was thinking about it.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on August 22, 2013, 08:17:48 AM
any one shed any light on the recovery time for these stoves since its not fan induced? and victor6deep dont even bother responding I dont care about your thoughts

Shut your mouth boy.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on August 22, 2013, 10:13:00 AM
victor6deep, you can't really blame him. You're all over the place on this topic. I don't recall you ever answering any of the questions I asked either, now that I think about. Not trying to be a ####, just sayin'.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: chillyhiker on August 22, 2013, 12:52:42 PM
scott and speed thanks for the replys. i read somewhere else its not always good to fill the stove full if there is not much demand and your explanation serves that point. I was just worried about the fire going out completely.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on August 22, 2013, 05:19:58 PM
Once you develop a coal bed you don't have to worry about that, even in warm weather
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Speed on August 23, 2013, 06:25:15 AM
As long as its being tended, and not left two weeks empty, you'll be amazed. It may look empty and dead, but give the coal bed a stir and put some wood in it'll go. Those coals stay hot for a long time. Heck, when digging out ash there are always some coals mixed in, I usually stir ash bucket to get them to the air so they'll burn up and die. I've had hot coals surfacing out of the ash 48hrs after being in bucket.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: chiselchain on September 19, 2013, 10:51:19 AM
has anyone tried to extend their  stack on their  ridgewood? I would like to add three feet to stop the smoke from blowing down at me but double wall stainless doesn't fit over the stack. any ideas? thanks
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on September 19, 2013, 11:36:43 AM
A 3' piece of 8" stainless single wall should wedge into the top pretty tight
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Chas on September 19, 2013, 12:12:51 PM
I bought an adaptor from Menards that goes from the 8" Ridgewood stack to double wall pipe. Super vent is the brand name they sell. I went with the double wall because I put the boiler under a steel carport (wood shed), so the pipe goes through the roof. But if it's out in the open a piece of 8" single wall will slide right in.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: chiselchain on September 19, 2013, 01:18:33 PM
yes its outside. I just bought a 3ft piece of double wall. do you think double wall would be better since its insulated or should I just buy a single wall section?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on September 19, 2013, 01:29:54 PM
Exhaust temp on this design should be pretty high so were not all that concerned with it cooling and condensing in the stack, I think either will work fine
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Chas on September 19, 2013, 01:31:20 PM
That's a question better answered by a more seasoned OWB veteren. I'm a newbie also and still learnin'. And this is the best place to learn that I've found. My guess would be the single wall because it will stay hotter and less apt to have creasote issues??
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on September 19, 2013, 01:34:53 PM
Nope chas, the single wall cools faster, because its uninsulated...   But I really don't see it being a problem on this design, if we were talking a gasser or a stove with a heat exchanger in the top then yes, but exhaust should be plenty high on it for a 3 foot piece


If it goes up past 3' then use double because to much single wall will cool fast and cause comdesning
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Chas on September 19, 2013, 01:37:52 PM
That's good to hear, mine is 7' total and I was concerned about that. Once again you've put my mind at ease... Thanks!
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: andyhowardcity on September 19, 2013, 06:25:06 PM
Timberwolf owner advised me to use double as single could corrode quicker and corrupt the firebox.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on September 19, 2013, 06:40:19 PM
Yea I dont buy into it to much

a good stainless single wall should last a long long time but like I said its only for certain situations

I dont know about it "corrupting" the firebox but I would have loved to hear that answer ;D

Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on September 19, 2013, 06:47:47 PM
Go double wall insulated it wont collect/plug with creosote as easy.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: slimjim on September 20, 2013, 04:58:32 AM
Another thing that I have seen when using the single wall is that rainwater will travel down the outside of the pipe and run right into the inside of the boiler, I suggest to you that if you use single wall that you should seal the pipe at the boiler to prevent this from happening. To me the best answer is the insulated pipe as it hangs over the edge of the boiler stack and the rainwater simply falls off onto the roof, besides a nice peice of stainless looks better for much longer.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: chiselchain on September 20, 2013, 06:31:38 AM
chimney cap or no?
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: victor6deep on September 20, 2013, 06:33:33 AM
I only use a chimney cap when I burn in late fall or early spring where we might get a heavy rain. Other than that it stays off during the winter.
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on September 20, 2013, 09:37:14 AM
Another thing that I have seen when using the single wall is that rainwater will travel down the outside of the pipe and run right into the inside of the boiler, I suggest to you that if you use single wall that you should seal the pipe at the boiler to prevent this from happening. To me the best answer is the insulated pipe as it hangs over the edge of the boiler stack and the rainwater simply falls off onto the roof, besides a nice peice of stainless looks better for much longer.

Yea Jim, the bad thing is that many of these stoves simply have a random piece of pipe as a chimney and a lot aren't easily adapted to use a double wall. 

I'm not in any way trying to argue that double wall isn't better, just that trying to find the right adapters and such to switch a mild steel pipe used as chimney over to double wall stainless ain't easy.   I have sold a lot of boilers that used that method tho and most my customers use a short piece of single wall stainless
Title: Re: Ridgewood stoves
Post by: Scott7m on September 20, 2013, 09:37:55 AM
chimney cap or no?

I run them on mine.....  It never comes off