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[slimjim]

NOT FOR SALE IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[sabercat]

I have a C/B, doing its 2nd year. With that said, not sure if I would buy another one. C/B 5036

[Coyote556]

Sabercat, what is it you don't like about the CB 5036?  I am still in the research/shopping phase so I'm curious.

[legg28]

Wheres dr pinard when you need him ?      CB 5036 here and i love it . I would buy another at the drop of a hat . I cant say anything about the gassers though ,never used one

[slimjim]

I miss he and boilerman!

[sabercat]

Coyote556

Not too many reasons, but I bought it, because of just about everyone around here has one. My brother did the factory tour, said what he noticed was great workmanship. I made my dicision to go with C/B for those reasons, plus I like the dealer, delt with him for supplies for my first OWB. Now my first OWB called a Pacific Western, 150 gal. loved it fan forced air, solenoid for air flapper never stuck open to cause a runaway, actually the only thing other then springing a pencil size leak, was it sheared the pin for the solenoid/draft. So with that said, I've had 2 drafts stick open, causing 210 degree steamover occuring naturally at 3am, thank god the dog had to go outside. I would assume its not the solenoid itself, though I'm getting a spare one, because I have read on here about some C/B's overheating. But other then that it seems like a good stove, you see alot of them out there so for the most part they do their job pretty good. Would I buy another one, well I wish I would have found this forum, sooner, there's alot of good stoves out there. Oh ya I keep the solenoid lubed up now. I know it a little thing, I just wonder why is this happeng with the C/B.

[slimjim]

 Sabercat, thanks for the explanation, as far as the 5036, I always thought that they were a pretty good boiler and I still think so, honesty and credibility of corporate I'm not so sure about! Hint, when you lube up that flapper, try using transmission fluid, it works wonders on metal parts that can become coated with creosote and it does not freeze up or get hard in the severe cold and protects metal parts from rusting. It's just a trick I learned from an old Indian I once knew.

[Coyote556]

Thanks for the info.  I'm still torn between a CB classic and a PM BL series.  I appreciate the response.

[CountryBoyJohn]

Mr. Coyote556, do you want a force air or a natural draft?  I put the forced draft at the highest priority when I was in the market for a stove, and I'm glad I did.  I am a big fan (no pun intended) of the forced air design.  Hotter fire, quicker recovery, more efficient burn.  I don't buy the argument "it's just another thing to go wrong" that the natural draft guys push.  I've heard of more problems with sticking solenoids than dead fans.  Sabercat's post is one prime example.  If those are your choices, I'd go with P&M.  BOTH units were too pricey for me, but I peg P&M over CB all day.  That evaluation is mostly from a design point, not a quality point.  I think too many guys on here focus on quality between these two units, when the design is clearly a larger difference.  Pick which DESIGN suits you better.

[MattyNH]

Ya forced air draft is the way to go.. Faster recovery time

[mtoll]

Coyote 556 I do agree with CountryBoyJohn he has a good point  you need forced air not draft and forced air under the fire. Just my opinion.. I certainly would not rule out Heatmaster. Heatmaster uses forced air under the fire as does PM, CB uses natural draft or forced air over the fire. Again take your time to choose one that fits your needs. Their all good units any one of those would be a good choice         

[Sprinter]

Simple answer, Portage & Main, and twice on Sunday. Components, quality, modular design, I've always thought of P&M as a more dependable boiler with higher QC control. I don't think the CB's of today are as good as the older ones.

[wissel12]

I have a oc4   What state do you live in?

[victor6deep]

I would take a round firebox over a square firebox with ripples any day. If I was gonna buy either of them I would get the P&M.

[Coyote556]

Thanks for all the help folks.  Farm show coming up in march.  Both companies will be there.  I plan on going to give 'em both a good once over.