Outdoor Wood Furnace Info
Outdoor Furnaces - Manufacturers WITH EPA-Certified Models => Portage & Main => Topic started by: Sloppy_Snood on February 25, 2014, 08:09:10 AM
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I just wanted to communicate that I have decided to "pull the trigger" on purchasing a Portage & Main Ultimizer BL 34-44 for my home. I am just full of excitement at present. ;D 8) My Portage & Main dealer Brian Cooper is going to help me with a good design layout for the uniqueness of my 5900 sq. ft. "open concept" home. I will post some pictures when the unit arrives at my dealer in the coming weeks. I intend to make an internet blog of sorts here in the Portage & Main sub-forum in order to document my installation (performing myself with design primarily originating from my dealer,,,, that is my intent any way).
Big thanks to slimjim, martyinmi, karlk, merrellroofing, and CountryBoyJohn for all the advice and helping guide me to what I believe will be the best OWB for my particular home.
More posts and pictures :photo: to come as the process "develops." :thumbup:
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Where in Indiana are you
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Congrats and welcome to the OWB family! It's a nice warm place to be!! :thumbup: Looking forward to your progress updates!!
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Where in Indiana are you
West Central Indiana around Putnamville and Greencastle.
Thanks for the OWB family welcome John! :) I know we'll be echanging much information over the coming years. :thumbup:
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Congrats also, from Southern Indiana near Evansville. I too have just purchased a OWB. CountrBoyJohn was also a big help to me, as well as this forum. I have not installed mine as of yet but hope to do so in a few weeks. Guess the propane truck won't visit me as much in the coming years. I'm sure we will have a lot to talk about in the future. Good luck with your new OWB.
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Congratulations! I don't have the P&M but from what I gather they are a quality unit. Good luck! Roger
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Thanks very much, keep in touch
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Another member of these forums asked me a legitimate question regarding why I chose the P&M Ultimizer BL 34-44 over the Optimizer 250 gassifier for my home heating and domestic water application. I thought I would re-post what I told the person in hopes that it will benefit someone else that may be at the same decision point I was. :thumbup:
When I first started looking at OWBs it became apparent to me that the P&M brand was where I wanted to be. Initially, I thought I was 95+% certain the Optimizer 250 was for me. P&M told me a story about a 250 that was working awesome in Canada for a 6,500 sq. ft. old farmhouse.... again I thought I was on the right track. What "turned" me to the Ultimizer was a combination of items (not in any particular order):
1. OWB cost: $9,200 versus $11,500
2. Burn Times: BL 34-44 longer burn times due to substantially bigger firebox.
3. Ease of maintenance: not interested in maintaining Opt. 250 nozzles and Scotch HX tubes (although it looks to be quite simple)
4. Peak Output: higher peak BTU output (BL 34-44 >350,000 BTU/hr versus Opt. 250 up to 190,000 BTU/hr)
5. Simplicity: the Optimizer 250 simply has more items that need tending to than does the BL 34-44
6. Learning Gassification: "learning" how to best load the 250 for best burn times and less tending; me no want to learn that right now
7. OWB Design: big plus for the modularity of the Ultimizer design (if the water jacket were to have an issue, it can be separated from the burn chamber for repairs)
8. Fuel Options: nice to have the option of having a shaker grate to burn coal (I bought the shaker grate version of the BL 34-44 8) ).
9. "No" Firebox Corrosion Potential: the refractive cement lining in the burn chamber (no corrosion at the ash line!);
10. Less Firebox Door/HX Door Corrosion Risk: the outer insulated door that keeps the loading door and HX cleanout door covered and protected from condensation.
11. Four Feet: There are four feet on the unit so a poured concrete pad isn't absolutely necessary. Four solid concrete blocks of appropriate size will suffice.
12. Efficiency: Simply put, the Ultimizer BL series is probably one of the most efficient conventional OWBs on the market.
Again, I'm sure both are fantastic units but those are my thoughts at this point in time. :)
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Hey Scott when will you get the new unit
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Hey Scott when will you get the new unit
ETA is unknown at this point in time but my P&M dealer Brian Cooper told me the trucks were to load by yesterday and probably arrive via tractor trailer truck sometime this coming week. :thumbup: I hope so.... I'm as anxious as a 5-year old waiting for Santa Claus to leave me a present! ;D
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My neighbor is getting his bl delivered this morning. I cant wait to see one in person
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My neighbor is getting his bl delivered this morning. I cant wait to see one in person
Well, Karlk, what did you think? Any pictures? Were they replacing a unit or is this a brand new install? Will they try and get it heating for this year yet or is the plan for next heating season? Enquiring minds want to know. (I have not pulled the trigger yet. Still working both sides of the fence - reading about gasifiers with inside install vs. the BL 2840 outside).
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I didnt get a chance to see it yet.My neighbor bought an apple orchard with a house a few miles from me and will be heating with the bl next year. He is keeping his home by me that he heats with a central boiler.
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Great move Sloppy_Snood. I did the same yesterday but with a BL2840. Looked at the 2840 at an exhibit in Eau Claire, WI, I was blown on the build quality & design, nothing was spared. I'll be picking mine up in a couple of weeks.
Bought mine from Dave Jacoby from Trego, WI, very pleasant guy to deal with. Dave is doing another P & M exhibit on March 14th-16th at the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center.
I'll keep an eye on your progress.
oaky
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Short Update: My Indiana Portage & Main dealer texted me a few hours ago... looks like the Ultimizer BL 34-44 should be in next weekend, March 14th, 15th, or 16th. WOOT! :thumbup:
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AWESOME!!!
oaky
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Short Update: Received a text from my P&M dealer. The Ultimizer BL 34-44 is in Crawfordsville, IN! WOOT! 8) 8)
I will be finishing trenching this week (delayed last week as I was pretty sick with a nasty cold) and getting the Logstor 1" Dual PEX-Flex insulated piping into the ground (probably going to buy the 145' from fellow OWFI.com member mtoll). Concrete pad will be poured when the weather will allow.
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Good decision talking with Mike and getting his pipe. I was at his place last week and I think he's making the right call. Whenever I get my board stretcher invented, a pipe stretcher is next on my "to do" list!! I'll make a fortune!! :thumbup: Glad you two are getting it worked out! Win Win!
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Short Update: Received a text from my P&M dealer. The Ultimizer BL 34-44 is in Crawfordsville, IN! WOOT! 8) 8)
I will be finishing trenching this week (delayed last week as I was pretty sick with a nasty cold) and getting the Logstor 1" Dual PEX-Flex insulated piping into the ground (probably going to buy the 145' from fellow OWFI.com member mtoll). Concrete pad will be poured when the weather will allow.
I saw your stove last night when I picked mine up. I waved to it as I pulled away. I was gonna leave a lefty surprise in it for you but I needed it for the long ride home.
Hoping to get mine fired by the weekend!!!
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Something here smells funny!
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Something here smells funny!
That's CBJohn burning his "black nugget compressed wood." :P
BTW CountryBoyJohn,,, new EPA rules for 2015 will increase manufacturing costs for board stretchers and pipe stretchers in an effort to reduce emissions and preserve clean water. Make them tools a 'plenty soon! ;) ::)
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I saw your stove last night when I picked mine up. I waved to it as I pulled away.
Dangit! It is weird how things work out (you getting your stove before me). LOLOLOL! Oh wells....
...did my BL 34-44 wave back? Is it pretty like momma's new shoes? I just GOTS to know!!!! ;D :P :thumbup:
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No wave, she left me hangin. It was getting dark and I was in a rush and forgot to look in it to check out the coal grates.