Posted by: Tony on May 29, 2002 at 11:48:07

In Reply to: Outdoor Furnace With Water For Heating House Posted by: Andy on March 23, 2001 at 22:15:13

I'm lookin to purchase an outdoor furnace. I've seen several models. I see pros and cons about each. Is there anyone out there that doesn't deal, (sell), with them? Please give me any advice! What to look for and what to watch out for, brands, models, stainless, not stainless? Thanks!

Answer:
JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS EVER BUILT THEIR OWN OUTDOOR WOODBURNING FURNACE WITH WATER HEAT? WOULD LIKE TO FIND SOME PLANS TO DO SO. PLESE LET ME KNOW.

I've built several such devices. With experience gained from employment with Spencer Heater, manufactures of world class commercial boilers I felt over qualified for the projects.
After my third attempt, and all three boilers functioned well, and heated homes and shops, I was less than satisfied with the efficiency of the home made boilers.
Looking at all the "Store bought" devices for several years I found none that were any better than my own design. In one last attempt, I located a unit made in Canada that I thought might work better than my own designs.
I purchased one, it burnt a third the wood of any that I had constructed, and provided more heat. The cost of the unit was very reasonable.
All the units I constructed cost in the range of $1500 to $2000 for heavy materials, another $300 for a stainless steel insulated chimney made by a local tin shop. Sideing and insulation added about $200. I value my time at $15 per hour, and each home made device took around 100 to 150 hours to construct. All the costs were 1986 to 1993 dollars, today they would be much higher. In reality, my "store bought" boiler, was more efficient, eaiser to maintain, and cost less than home made. It probably will serve longer than any of the home made devices too.
I would recomend for even those with boiler construction experience that they evaluate "store bought" more seriously. You might save a lot of money, frustration, and wood.