This thread is for those considering a gasifier

[heaterman]

If you purchase a gasifying type boiler what are the expectations you have concerning length of time between firing, length of burn time, wood consumption and BTU storage capacity if planned?

Will you do a heat loss for your structure(s) before you buy your boiler?

Do you currently own another type of wood burning stove or OWB?

 

[Eric Miller]

Well, I am seriously contemplating an EKO or a Tarm to tie into two forced air Heat Pumps. I have 4000 sq ft to heat and I would like to design my system so that I could fire it once a day. I currently keep my thermostat set to 70 for about 10 hours out of the day and 60 the rest. I have no idea on the burn time but some where around 8 hours seems possible with good wood. I'm hoping I will go through no more then about 4 or 4 1/2 cords a year. Storage wise, I would probably go with an 800 or 1000 gallon SSTS tank depending on boiler size.

I've done a heat loss. It came to 65k btu but I've been told that looks low. I don't know how to answer that, the numbers are what they are. I was careful to enter good data into the calculator but I have no experience with this sort of thing.

I currently have a Jotul F400. This is the first year I've ever used a wood stove but I'm hooked. I was researching the possibility of putting in a second stove or a wood furnace when I learned about the gassifier boilers.

 

[heaterman]

If you would, please define "firing once a day". As in........one load of wood, or two or three loads of wood in one continuous burn?

 

[sdrobertson]

Currently using a CB 6048 in a small village. Love the OWB as I don't burn any natural gas and I really don't have any complaints with the neighbors as I burn dry wood and I only fill the stove in the evening after dark. It smokes during the first two burn cycles but during the day it has burned down far enough that I get mostly heat waves with less smoke visible from the stack than others using their wood stoves in their houses. I have a EKO 60 purchased and four 500 gallon propane tanks ready for spring to start a pole barn to house them. I expect my wood consumption to drop allot (like 50% or more) and I should be able to start a fire when it is convenient with the 2000 gallon pressurized storage.

 

[Chris S]

I am planning on purchasing a gasifier this summer for my new home- under construction. I did a heat loss, and see 2 burns on the design day each of about 5-6 hours. This may mean adding fuel into the initial burn- we'll see. My wife works from home, and would handle this- she did it before, and likes a warm ( hot ) house. My calculations were based on 500 gallon ( I know it's small) storage. I anticipate a 10,000 initial cost, 2-3 year payback as I don't pay for wood. My nearest neighbor will be 1000' from my chimney so that shouldn't be a problem. But the new NY regs are uncalled for.
CS

 

[Eric Miller]

If you would, please define “firing once a day”. As in........one load of wood, or two or three loads of wood in one continuous burn?

I'm hoping for one load of wood. Because of the operating requirements I'm placing on the system I'm considering a unit that it over-sized for my needs (e.g., EKO 60 instead of a 40).

 

[KZIEBARTH]

I have 6000 sq ft to heat (2000 house and 4000 shop). The heat loss calcs out at 160,000. I would not have to heat the entire shop and can turn down the heat so I
have some flexibilty there. The house insulation is fair and the shop is sprayed foam, awesome stuff.

I am planning on at least 1000 gal storage. It will be 12 hours between firings during the week, morning and evening. Length of burn time I am hoping to get 8 hours
but six may be more realistic. It should not be as important with the storage. I should be able to burn shorter and hotter and let the storage do its job.

I am guessing I will be using 7-10 cords per year. I do not have a wood burner at present so I am basing it on what I have seen on this forum

Gotta run, I think the Easter bunny hid some chocolate eggs around here somewhere!!

 

[SE Iowa]

I currently do not burn wood in a newly constructed very high efficeint 4600sf home. Our heat requirements are low, averaging b/w 125-175 therms/month, with the house at around 70F. I would like to heat my garage and increase the house temp to 72-73F though.

Thing that are important to me:
1. I would like to load/fire it once per day. We spend alot of time away from home on some days so either a reasonable about of storage is necessary or a large load could be added once daily (like a OWB). If there is enough coals after 12 hours, and second load of wood just needs to be added to the top, that would be ok too.
2. I do not want to cut wood 24/7 to feed it like an OWB. A reasonable amount of wood per year is desired, maybe 4-7 cords. Smoke is not too big of an issue where I live but I realize that is lost btu's = more wood to cut/haul.
3. Ease of use is important. I think that is why OWB are so popular. The goal is not to be a slave to the gas company, but not at the expense of being a slave to the boiler.
4. Boiler longevity/durability is important on this large of an investment.

All that being said, my dream machine:
Outdoor, sealed, insulated gassifier with internal storage of b/w 750-1000 gal with a large wood hopper. I would like at least a 10 year all inclusive waranty (excluding my stupid errors) as I would hope for payback within that time. I would love to see a smaller version of the GARN!

 

[firebird400]

hi everyone heating approx. 2700 sq. ft. did a heat loss 110,000 btu's hve no room for storage would like to get 8 hr burn time + or- i have look at alot of diffent gassers on line and listen to what everyone here has to say tarm and eko seem like the place for me to be but un decided due to the cost factor mite just be able to get anon gasser will have to see


burning an old buck fire place insert this year from dec. to now about 4 cords