Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: hrc200x on March 02, 2015, 08:29:43 PM

Title: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: hrc200x on March 02, 2015, 08:29:43 PM
When I put wood in the boiler an occasional piece will slide on the other logs and hit the back of the boiler, and other times they will stop dead and I'll have to use my hand, foot, or ash rake to push the log in. Has anyone ever seen any damage to a boiler thats had wood thrown in it? I'm assuming it would take many years of doing this before it was a issue. It probably helps that there is water behind the steel to help absorb the blow.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: mlappin on March 02, 2015, 08:57:59 PM
Depends on the boiler, some of the stainless ones that used 10 gauge or thinner for the firebox could be damaged, if a 1/4" mild steel one could be damaged it was either a subpar weld or was getting thin anyways. I built mine out of 5/16" and still avoid chucking wood in.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: kommandokenny on March 03, 2015, 07:23:50 AM
I try toss smaller, lighter, sticks, to the back,, then push them home with a long shovel.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: userdk on March 03, 2015, 03:20:04 PM
Not usually a problem. It'd have to be a bad weld.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: BeaconWoods on March 03, 2015, 04:55:10 PM
I've had the same question.  I feel kind of sorry for the unit when I hit the back wall.  Kinda strange I suppose.  Anyway, I try not to do it.  Mine did spring a leak at the bottom of a transfer tube at the back of the unit.  Don't know if that's a direct result or not.  It's the 5th or 6th (and last ever) leak this thing has sprung.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: real bill on March 03, 2015, 06:53:02 PM
I know the feeling of when I toss a stick a little to hard and it hits the back of the firebox, I think it's a sickening  sound for sure.  I don't think hit hurts once in a while.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: tawilson1152 on March 04, 2015, 03:16:40 PM
It usually stops my blower soleniod from buzzing.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: kommandokenny on March 04, 2015, 03:19:23 PM
nice :thumbup: :thumbup:
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: mlappin on March 04, 2015, 09:28:12 PM
It usually stops my blower soleniod from buzzing.

/sigh

a buzzing solenoid doesn't mean a thing unless it's right next to your bedroom window. Solenoids will vibrate 60 times a second unless you're in a country that uses 50 hertz then it's 50 times a second. Mines been buzzing since day one, that was almost fifteen years ago. While annoying, it doesn't indicate pending solenoid failure.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: woodywoodchucker on March 05, 2015, 04:04:05 PM
When I got my 5036 i was told that I could and should burn 30"/36" wood.When throughing those in aand hitting the back of the boiler. Thought this cant be good for anything. Over the past few years ive found that 18/22" wood works better and acually burns longer.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: walkerdogman85 on March 05, 2015, 04:35:24 PM
Same here I can burn 30" stuff and as big as the door but for the most time I burn shorter smaller stuff. Much easier on me and I don't have to shove huge pieces in causing the walls on my hardy to dent or rupture..
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: Amankman on March 06, 2015, 05:47:11 PM
It usually stops my blower soleniod from buzzing.

/sigh

a buzzing solenoid doesn't mean a thing unless it's right next to your bedroom window. Solenoids will vibrate 60 times a second unless you're in a country that uses 50 hertz then it's 50 times a second. Mines been buzzing since day one, that was almost fifteen years ago. While annoying, it doesn't indicate pending solenoid failure.
I've found that fine sand paper or emry cloth ran where the solenoid makes contact quiets it right down!
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: tawilson1152 on March 06, 2015, 06:51:19 PM
Mine rattles at the pin that connects the damper to the solenoid. No biggy.
Title: Re: Possible to damage boiler from throwing wood into firebox?
Post by: ijon on March 08, 2015, 04:46:34 AM
Get the traps the rats have crawled back in.