Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: oaky on November 05, 2015, 09:59:59 AM

Title: Question on P&M BL condensation
Post by: oaky on November 05, 2015, 09:59:59 AM
I'm curious to know why the location of the condensation (puddle of water) is always just behind the ash door, about 4 inches in area? Where does the condensation originate on the BL? I understand that condensation occurs at initial start  up for the season and whenever the boiler water temp or the water return line is around 137 degrees. My return line is connected on the bottom port.
Title: Re: Question on P&M BL condensation
Post by: tinfoilhat2020 on November 05, 2015, 11:50:08 AM
return temps should never reach 137 unless shutting down....i am going to assume the puddle formation is due to moisture from the wood u are using...i have a heatmore and there seems to always be some sort of moisture in the ash tube ( i assume it is from the moisture in the wood)
Title: Re: Question on P&M BL condensation
Post by: schoppy on November 05, 2015, 09:21:08 PM
Check your door gasket to be sure you're not leaking air in that is then condensing. One more thing to check is that it is not condensation running down from above and collecting there.
Title: Re: Question on P&M BL condensation
Post by: tinfoilhat2020 on November 06, 2015, 02:23:08 AM
burning in mild weather can cause condensation within the fire chamber relatively easy....this is one of the reason that i dont burn year round...i like to burn HOT and OFTEN!!!
Title: Re: Question on P&M BL condensation
Post by: Watt2323 on November 12, 2015, 07:45:45 AM
He is right its from the moisture in the wood it should eventually clear up as the wood drys out. Other than that how do you like the BL?
Title: Re: Question on P&M BL condensation
Post by: oaky on November 12, 2015, 08:33:36 AM
I like my BL very much, really efficient. I don't care much for the old style bricks that they used earlier in this model which the bricks stand on edge, bad idea. Now they have a new version where they are more flat with built in spacers to keep them evenly spaced apart, instead of making your own 1/2" spacers out 1/2" round bars.
Title: Re: Question on P&M BL condensation
Post by: Uponthehill on November 12, 2015, 06:28:56 PM
I like mine as well. Came with the new style spacers. However, I removed mine a week ago and added a 3/8" piece of angle on the front brick. All bricks are now spaced at a 1/2" and they are all snug. I saw on another thread that someone placed a brick in front of ash pan and it worked well. I've also insulated the protruding lower portion which helped last year.  Helped reduce if not eliminated condensation.
Title: Re: Question on P&M BL condensation
Post by: edspdog on February 12, 2016, 03:08:14 AM
New member here from the hills of Western NC, temp going to 0 tomorrow.
Have a P&M that's been up and running for 3 years. Excellent OWB and customer support.
I have the shaker grate option an it was money well spent.
Back to water condensing. Mine will weep just a small amount out the ash door when out side temp is pretty warm, say above 50 degrees.
Wood is cut and dried for 2 years. Experts say not burning the firebox hot enough. P&M says
to starve the boiler for best results, don't put in too much wood at a time so that it will not just set and smolder.
Sales pitch if it is OK, P&M has a special on their boiler with grates going on right now.

Have a great day and stay warm.