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1

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Looking aorund for a new OWB

« on: January 01, 2011, 08:52:00 PM »

Personally, I would look for the following in an OWB:  Heavy duty steel (1/4"+),  ROUND INTERIOR design has 40%? less welds and round from an engineering standpoint is desirable, simpler the design the better (how available are replacement parts?),  the DEALER who sold you the stove is very important if you have any problems or questions after delivery...

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General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Help fix my OWB's boil over problem

« on: January 01, 2011, 08:43:22 PM »

Nature's Comfort was referenced re: solenoids...  I thought that company was a "newbie" to the industry...

3

Home Made / Re: Gasification wood boiler build

« on: January 01, 2011, 08:28:08 PM »

 If the current Federal EPA gets its way...   mass storage- batch burning is one method to meet future EPA Particulate Matter emissions...  when current popular units are "smoldering" that is when most of the particulate matter is emitted.   By batch burning... P.M. can be lowered.   I think EPA's Phase 2 is .32...  WoodMaster has recently attained the Phase 2 rating with the EPA with .04....  way below the Phase 2 requirement...  so there is chatter that the EPA may eventually now lower the P.M. emissions allowed...
Luckily, with a changing of the guard in Washington, some of the wind may be taken out of EPA's sails (EPA currently has more power than ever in history) and this whole requirement will be delayed (probably will not go away though)  ...  check out the EPA website, it is scary...   It is extremely expensive for any company to make it through the EPA testing....

Current units purchased are suppose to be "grandfathered"...  at least those that meet the individual State's requirements (ex. U.L. listed, etc.)

Also,  when making your own or buying a home-made unit... note that many insurance companies will not insure the unit OR any damages caused by the unit (sparks) that is NOT U.L. Listed....    Just fyi..   

4

Site Suggestions / Re: Warranty, How the companys live up to what they promise

« on: January 01, 2011, 10:23:00 AM »

I would like to address the comment  pro-rated warranties.   I firmly believe that if any new OWB owner is going to have problems with workmanship and materials, it will be evident the first year or maybe the 2nd...     There are so many OWB owners that do NOT do ANY maintenance on their units....   do not use boiler treatment, do not clean ashes out of the firebox at shutdown, burn tires and railroad ties, ashes not maintained properly, etc.    I have even seen some that do NOT put a cap over the chimney during the summer when they are NOT burning...WET ASHES ARE HIGHLY ACIDIC AND WILL EAT STEEL.   If an owner complains about warranty after 5 years on any problem other than electrical, I would like to have the history of the units care....   I have spoken with owners from ALL different companies, and it does NOT matter if it is a 20 or 30.yr warranty..  there are loopholes....    Example of loopholes:   no record of a water sample sent in annually or water wasn't properly adjusted, no record of purchasing boiler treatment annually,  etc etc etc.  Typically, ash corrosion is NOT covered...   I have heard from owners that have found out that the factory does not warranty exactly as the dealer initially explained... 

In my opinion, a basic 1/4 inch mild steel unit that is properly maintained and burning factory approved materials, should last MANY years and a warranty is not an issue.   The key word is "properly maintained".  Yes, blowers, solenoids, elec., may need to be replaced...
Thanks for allowing me to get up on the soap box for a few minutes.