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[jerkash]

This was the first winter with a OWF.  With spring coming, I should be shutting it down in the next 30 days or so.  I need ideas on the water.  Should I change it when I shut it down, leave it in until next fall or what?
All thoughts are appreciated.

[johnybcold]

good questions I am in the same boat, I am not sure what to do, one guy told me to spray the inside with wd40 to keep it from getting too rusty.

[jerkash]

I have seen post on here where people mix diesel fuel and motor oil to wipe down the inside.  I'm just not sure about the water.

[Bull]

I leave it full, no need to replace it

[wrudoing]

You change water every 3 years,  book says to spray fire box with new motor oil, after cleaning of course

[wood nut]

 You will have to drain to change anode rod.I just transfer water to one of those 280 gal. container's that are plastic with wire cage around it change rod then put that water back in with more chemicals top with fresh water don't know if its the right way just the way i do it.I spray firebox with diesel,motor oil mix after scraping it down real good then shop-vac it to get as much ash as possible out.Good luck!!

[PeteHughes]

You change water every 3 years

So basically as often as the hot dog vendors at sporting events change theirs?

[woodfuel]

I was informed to use hudson sprayer(garden sprayer) filled with diesel fuel and spray the whole inside walls after scraping the creosote the best you can. That way it will prevent rust, and when you fire it back up it will take off more of the creosote too with the hot burn.

[boilerman]

Jerkash, your question seems to be on what to do with the water at end of season. Not sure about your brand, but with my Central Boiler a corrosion inhibitor water treatment was put into the furnace on the first fill. My furnace came with a water test kit, which we are to use by testing water at suggested 6 month intervals. It balances nitrite, protects and eliminates any rust in the water jacket. Owners manual recommends not draining furnace in off season as it it protected. If drained, it would lose that protection as air would then come in contact with the unprotected metal causing surface rust inside. In my Classic I never needed to add water or water treatment until after 4 years of use and the water was still crystal clear. Had evaporated just about 1 inch of water and added about 1/4 jug of treatment.

As far as firebox, scrape all creosote lose from firebox walls and bottom. I shop vac then wipe down with light coat of new motor oil. Thow a bucket over the chimney. I even scrub down furnace front with Simple Green.  Furnace stays great looking for years of longevity and service.

[Roger2561]

boilerman - Your idea of using Simple Green to clean outside of OWB is great one.  I'll have to keep that in mind.

Also, thanks for the update on your water being in the OWB for 4 years without changing and testing every 6 months.  I was going to ask the same question when the time came to "summerize" the OWB. 

Roger

[clydem]

Would it be a good practice to top the water off to the point of overflowing to eliminate all the air space at the top of the water jacket?

just a thought
Clyde

[kjw58]

 I also put a timer on my pumps so they run about 30min a day just to keep things mixed up and keep the pumps from sitting all summer.  I don't know if it is really necessary but for the little bit of electric it takes to run the pumps, it seems like a good idea to keep things mixed up and ready to go.

[Scott7m]

Would it be a good practice to top the water off to the point of overflowing to eliminate all the air space at the top of the water jacket?

just a thought
Clyde

I would say yes to that

[lugnut]

I was just wondering about this very same subject this morning.  Given the warm temps are here early this year, wondering if I can go ahead and shut this thing down for the season.  Presently the pump is running along with the blower.  I have no switch to turn off only one but not the other.  The switch on the front of the unit shuts off the entire unit.

I know NOT to drain the water and I know about cleaning the inside of the unit and then spraying or wiping down with oil; and then of course running the pump once or twice a month to keep everything primed.

Just wondering if y'all think it's safe to shut down...I would think that the ground would be warm enough by now.


Lugnut

[tbone]

Lug,
Do you have another heat source?  I would think we will have some cold night still to come.  I run mine til mid april.  I'm burnin very little wood and relighting is a pain, so I keep mine going.