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[Roger2561]

Yeah thanks for that mlappin  the more I read the more I may go with a boiler. Now I'm reading on everyone's thoughts about each brand and so on. I need to see what dealers I have near me. I live in Jackson Wisconsin everyone in my little old area burns wood but all indoor wood stoves. I want to be a first of my neighbors to get an outdoor unit. They should be allowed because down the road a mile or so a few of those guys have owbs. I just want to burn wood and come home after 10 to 14 hours and have a warm house. I'm not worried about wood, for the last 4 to 5 years I have had plenty. I'm still burning wood I made like 3 years ago I just wanna be able to make bigger pieces and save time on splitting and  loading every hour. This is going to be expensive I am going to redo my duct work and go with a boiler. At least my a.c. will be better in the summer than.

Before you drop bucks for an OWB, check with your local code enforcement officer regarding gasser vs non-gasser.  In my state (NH) we are no longer allowed to purchase a non-gasser.  All OWB's sold have to be EPA II compliant.  It has to do with emissions.  Good luck.  Roger

[ffbare]

Thanks on that roger  that will be my home work this week. The gasifire stoves look good I'm going to read up on them and see how people like them.  So I  guessing you have one how do you like yours?

[ITO]

 ffbare, Here's a place to start your homework in WI, the DNR take, it has some links for local regs and such, I don't think there are any restrictions on conventionals in WI yet but I would check on it.
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/OpenBurning/Boilers.html

[Roger2561]

Thanks on that roger  that will be my home work this week. The gasifire stoves look good I'm going to read up on them and see how people like them.  So I  guessing you have one how do you like yours?

ffbare- I have a central Boiler E-classic 1400 which is EPA II compliant.  This is 3rd season heating my 1840's, 3000sqft farmhouse and DHW.  For the past 2 years I went through6 to 6 1/2 cord keeping my house at a comfortable 70 degrees 24/7.  Due to the extreme cold we experienced in December and January, I'll use up 7 to 7 1/2 cord this year.  Keep in mind the important thing; the oil furnace hasn't fired up once all winter.  I've had no issues with mine (knocking on wood).  The problem I had early on was an oversite on my part.  I didn't keep the primary air holes in firebox open (creosote buildup) so I spent 3 hours one morning (1:30am) clearing those things.  Now that I know they need to be kept open, I run a piece of stiff wire through them every other week and clear the ash from the reaction chamber.  Also, the achilles heal of the CB design is the primary air elbow in the rear of the OWB.  It will fill with creosote too.  So, once a month I take 5 minutes to remove it (it's held on with a hose clamp) and remove the creosote buildup.  I know many people on here have had issues with their CB units but part of me can't help but wonder if it was due to negligence.  The gassers needs more maintenance than the conventional but for me that's part of the fun of owning one.     But, I had no choice in my state to buy the gasser.  Also, there is a learning curve operating one of these gassers.  Keep in mind there are many knowledgeable people(Scott, Slim, Boilerman, Yoder, etc...) on this site who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences with you.  You simply have to ask.

I'm not going to say Central Boiler is better than this one or that one.  I went with Central Boiler due to their proximity to me.  They are a short 25 minute drive away from me.  For me time is premium.  I work many long hours and some weekends so if I need something from my dealer, it's a simple skip, hop and very short jump to get what I need.  Plus, all I have ever owned is Central Boiler so it would be dishonest for me to say anything against the others.  Ii got lucky.  When I went to see the dealer he warms his shop and office area with one so I was able to see one in operation.  That's what sold me.  Roger     

[ffbare]

Ito - I saw that so I'm kinda happy that it shows Wisconsin should allow one I'm going call my town hall in the morning to see more. Thanks.  Rodger- thanks on that info this is a great forum everyone seems very helpful and looking at past threads have reinforced that boiler is my answer.