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[gravel roads]

Three years ago I purchased an outdoor wood boiler. It was a start up company out of Grand Rapids MI, and I'm now having regrets.
I'm looking for something that gets good reviews. I understand that everyone has their own tastes, but I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on units that you all are happy with.

Thanks

[Scott7m]

Here comes a ton of opinions......

Read here and read a lot, its whats the forum is good forum. 

A lot of folks will spout what they purchased so just read read read

Best advice I can give, this forum is an excellent source

[Sluggo]

I've owned two Heatmasters.  Only sold my first one cause my neighbor wanted it and I could upgrade to a higher efficiency model,the 10,000e.  I will be purchasing my third in the spring or summer due to the addition of a large shed I am building.  First and foremost find a good dealer of whatever stove you pick.  Don't just talk to the dealer,find people in your area and see how their dealer has treated them.  When your stove breaks down in-20 weather I don't care which brand you own,the company will not be there to fix it,it will be your dealer!  Anyway,I've really enjoyed my Heatmasters.  They have the shaker grates and pull out ash pan for easy cleaning and large fireboxes which I really like.  In my area there are several other models but to be honest they seem archaic in comparison to mine.  I'm not here to start a war so we will leave them unnamed!  Keep in mind you will have problems and a learning curve no matter which model you pick. 

[gravel roads]

I'm realizing how important service is. I also have been reading consumer reviews of OWB systems. I was ready to go with a very popular brand (not mentioning the brand because I'm not looking to start fights), and then I read how both the company and the dealer were awful to deal with. I read review after review that said the same thing.
I'm just trying to find something that is dependable. I own a Heiss Heater now, which is built from heat tempered cement. After three years, it leaks smoke from so many places. I just want to make a better choice the next time.
Thanks for whatever advice you can all give me.

[Scott7m]

Read this forum, most reviews are paid advertisement

Also fakes are sites claiming to rank outdoor boilers, its all bull

Read the forum is your best bet to find any accurate info

[chaikwa]

Three years ago I purchased an outdoor wood boiler. It was a start up company out of Grand Rapids MI, and I'm now having regrets.

Could you tell us who that company was/is? I didn't realize there was one in GR besides the one that makes HUGE commercial type log boi... uh, I mean big ones! Being in Kalamazoo, I'm curious who is around this area.

To answer your question; Central Boiler makes a good unit. I dislike them myself, but that's because I'm an old, stuck in my ways welder and I don't like some of the things they do. That said, I have several friends who have them and love them. They've had no issues with them even tho one of them is pushing 20 years old. Portage and Main is an excellent unit too. Unfortunately, the rep in this area of Michigan is a ... well, he could be more attentive. Ridgewood is another good unit, made here in Michigan. I might have one of them if they made one big enough for my application. Heatmaster is also good, despite their use of stainless steel in the firebox. Again, it's that old welder thing!

I have a Hawken. So far, I like it. The main reasons I bought it were, 1) it was big enough, 2) it was ultra simple - no electronics, 3) I was able to meet the owners of the company and they answered ALL of my questions, (even tho it might not have been in their best interests on a couple of them), and they allowed me to have free run of their manufacturing facility for a couple hours talking to their employees and watch their processes, and finally, 4) if this thing ain't all they said it was, and they won't MAKE it all they said it was, I can take an hour trip and back it thru their front office window!

If I had it to do all over again, I might do a little business with one of the fine people right here on this forum!

[Sprinter]

What are your options, most important requirements, budget roughly?

[mlappin]

Service will be the main thing, no point in buying the best if the service is the worst. Google the brand as well, I found a lot of complaints to the BBB about a brand that usually has a stellar rep.

[gravel roads]

Chaikwa, I sent you a PM. Like most people, I'd rather not pay more than I need to, but being as I have all the pipe work done, I'd like to stay under 10K. I'm not sure how long I'll stay in this house, and not everyone considers a wood burner to be an asset. I worry about recouping my investment.
Thanks for all your input. I'm just looking for something that isn't going to need a lot of maintenance. One of my concerns is chimney cleaning. I have about 8 feet of stack, and I have to clean it out several times per season.

[Sprinter]

Well if you want an OWB that actually adds value to the home, or has a very high resale value used. The Econoburn outdoor boiler is right in that price range, depending on when you buy, under $10. As far as I know its the only OWB that is built to ASME boiler specifications. A true 25 year warranty, built in NY and uses 1/4" American made type 36 boiler plate steel. Meets all EPA emissions now and the new ones. It's pressurized like real boilers and doesn't need flat plates, so elevation or where the boiler sits doesn't matter.  It's tested just like real ASME boilers as well to a true 87% thermal efficiency overall. That's huge when most OWB's hover in the 25-40% range overall thermal efficiency.
There's more options if resale, increased value  and good efficiency are important, you'd have to consider some indoor type models.