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[nasman]

Hi All, I am new to this so bear with me. I am looking to buy an outdoor wood burner. I am looking at Heatmor and Central Boiler. Can anyone give me the "Pros and Cons" of both of these.

[Scratch]

I know both of those companies produce a great unit.  Either one will be a good choice.  I've had a CB 6048 for about 4 years now with no problems.  My brother has an earlier version of the same stove for about 12 years now.  Also no problems.  (he burns garbage in it, boils it over about 3 times a year cuz he leaves the door open and forgets, and has only put the additive in it once.)

I know that CB doesn't use a fan and Heatmore might.  Alot of people like the fan cuz it gets up to temp faster and shuts the damper faster.  Makes sence to me.  Some people say the fan blows alot of heat up the chimney instead of keeping it in the stove... also makes sence... 

I can't give you any advice on Heatmore since I don't have one, any I'd bet you wont find someone who has had both stoves,  and even if you do, that person probably hasn't used them each long enough to form a valid opinion on them since most people keep them for at least 10 years or so.  And if they have used both stoves for 10 years or so, the first stove may have changed in construction so much in the past 10 years, that the new model is completely different by now.  Good luck in your search and maybe someone else can chime in.

[nasman]

I am leaning toward the Heatmor because they offer an option coal grate. Does anyone know if CB offers this as well?

[mikenc]

Don,t own either of the OWB's you are considering but have a friend that has a central boiler. He is very pleased with it. Do your research  before you buy. There are so many good boilers on the market now. It is amazing how much they have been improved in the last couple of years. Wish you the best in making decision.

[scissorbill]

Lots of good choices out there. Just stay away from Heatmaster,this one is garbage in my opinion and the company sucks!

[Scratch]

I haven't heard of a CB with a coal option. I looked at their website and it shows no mention of a coal option.  That might just make up your mind right there... Might want to give them a call for sure though.

[nrford]

 Looked at outdoor for a while. In MHO you should at least consider a european style gassifier with water storage. Your wood consumption will be way less than these outdoor wood hogs. I have found at least 2 in my local area that heat there homes and DHW with 15-17 face cords of wood per year, burning 24" wood. That's at most about 9 pulpcords. Look at effecta.us or paxo. I believe there are even a few US makers but they lag behind in technology. I'm seriously considering having an Effecta Lambda 35kw with 1000 gal storage ready for next winter.

[bruey]

one thing i would consider in making my decision would be to choose someone close. someone who stocks parts. there will come a time when you need something or need repair work and the closer they are i think the better it would be.

[rosewood]

read the posts in each mfg ,some seem to have more issues than some. if your down to the two only ,seems like central boilers is a better choice.don't see many complaints about them.

[tulenutn2o]

Looked at outdoor for a while. In MHO you should at least consider a european style gassifier with water storage. Your wood consumption will be way less than these outdoor wood hogs. I have found at least 2 in my local area that heat there homes and DHW with 15-17 face cords of wood per year, burning 24" wood. That's at most about 9 pulpcords. Look at effecta.us or paxo. I believe there are even a few US makers but they lag behind in technology. I'm seriously considering having an Effecta Lambda 35kw with 1000 gal storage ready for next winter.

Do u burn now? How can u push towards one over the other if u have no experience with either. Firebox too small on most indoor units which makes PITA to cut and split wood for. If buying all your wood, maybe look for absolutely top efficiency. My opinion says, time and effort prepping wood for indoor unit is worth something. I have air tight indoor unit and an outdoor gasifier. (bases for argument on wood prep) Have burned indoor unit only 2 times this year. OWB, definately easier.

[nrford]

I burn indoor, with a Quadrafire stove. And have burned for 40 years! I have several friends and relatives that burn outdoor. The indoor wood gassifiers I speak of burn one fire of 4 to 6 hours a day only, not all day long. You need to study them and consider them as an excellant option!

[MattyNH]

Buying a outdoor wood boiler is like buying a car... Alot of money invested...Like anything all brands have pro and cons etc..Some are epa phase I or II qualified.. some arnt.....also you got to be willing to do the wood....bottom line beats paying the oil man and u dont worry about turning the dial on the wall up

[tulenutn2o]

I burn indoor, with a Quadrafire stove. And have burned for 40 years! I have several friends and relatives that burn outdoor. The indoor wood gassifiers I speak of burn one fire of 4 to 6 hours a day only, not all day long. You need to study them and consider them as an excellant option!

Could do the same thing in an OWB if wanted too, but I prefer not to, it can idle. While a stove is definately an option to supplement, not necessarily the best for heating a large multi-room home. If that were the case, everyone wood go for a stove only because they can be cheaper than OWB. Although Quads are a little pricey in my book. As long as you stay warm and are happy with what you have, that's what counts.

[red devil]

I love my heatmaster! he 5000 3500 sq ft home heated to 75# coldest winter in along time northeast pa. Ill be using around 8 cords this year probably less due to testing coal and wood together looking really promising probably cut that down to5cord and 1 ton off coal we'll see what happens next years total.

[tulenutn2o]

Another good reason to go OWB is the multiple building capability. Like most, I heat the shop, the house, and domestic water. I got a stove in the family room too, just does not get used often now.