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Zachary Hoyt 07-11-2012 05:53:49 184.12.75.87 Report to Moderator	I know this is somewhat off topic but I seem to recall that there are some folks on here who have experience with gasification boilers. We have a ~20 year old TARM Solo Plus 40 that developed a pinhole leak in a weld on a stay in the water jacket, had it welded and now that one is good but the next stay over has developed 2 pinhole leaks in the welding process and we have decided it is probably time to replace it. We burn it year round to heat a 3 story converted barn and for domestic hot water. We have no external water storage, just the SP40 and a Utica oil boiler of the same vintage and a coil heat exchanger type water heater that can be run by either boiler. The TARM has run fine through the summer loading twice daily, the fan shuts off when the water hits 200 and then comes on again as needed. There are a lot of options in the indoor wood gasification market and I am not sure what to do. We have been happy with the TARM but it is the only one I have ever used so I have no basis of comparison. I am also wondering if the water storage tank helps the boiler to last longer or work better or if it is more of a convenience thing. We would have to make room for one somehow and I would rather save the expense, but if it would make the boiler life longer it might be worth it. Any advice will be very much appreciated. Zach [Reply]   [No Email]
IOWA NORTHEAST 07-12-2012 20:50:31 173.22.59.217 Report to Moderator	Re: Wood gasification boiler questions in reply to Zachary Hoyt, 07-11-2012 05:53:49   All wood stoves use gasification to burn the wood....there is no magic science or new inventions......Early cave men used gasification...just new words to sell a product by catching your attention. Any wood stove is a gamble with no fixed results....it takes time to know if you chose good or bad. [Reply]  [No Email]
TomH in Pa 07-13-2012 16:19:18 67.235.13.230 Report to Moderator	Re: Wood gasification boiler questions in reply to IOWA NORTHEAST, 07-12-2012 20:50:31   While it's true that the wood has to convert to gas before it burns, the temperature inside the firebox (and secondary combustion chamber if there is one) makes a big difference in how clean and efficient the furnace is. Smoke is fuel, at 500 degrees it goes up the chimney and stinks, at 1200 degrees it's burned. [Reply]  [No Email]
Bill in IL 07-11-2012 12:51:23 132.3.49.68 Report to Moderator	Re: Wood gasification boiler questions in reply to Zachary Hoyt, 07-11-2012 05:53:49   The extra storage space allows your fire to burn longer cause you have more water to heat which should allow it to burn more efficently and store more BTU's. (Instead of smoldering) It would allow you to possibly go longer between burns but firing 2 times a day seems reasonable since then your fire never really goes out. [Reply]  [No Email]
jackinok 07-11-2012 10:46:28 162.58.82.136 Report to Moderator	Re: Wood gasification boiler questions in reply to Zachary Hoyt, 07-11-2012 05:53:49   i really cant answer your questions either,but i know theres been quite a improvement in boilers over the last few years.As far as a storage tank goes ,IN MY OPINION (worth nothing), since your burning wood,and not heating your water directly like a say gas or electric water tank does,it may make sense,simply because you could recover more btus from your wood,that may be wasted when your blowers shut down.if that makes any sense,basicaly if you could heat x amount of water on a cord of wood,heating xx amount with the same wood might be worth the investment.sort of run your boiler longer on one load of wood instead of loading twice. recover more heat so to speak.dont know though you would have to look at your system closely i would think.i haven't messed with a boiler in 25 years though and those werent systems like yours so i would get more expert advice,like ray says. [Reply]  [No Email]
Ray in Mich 07-11-2012 09:12:37 66.92.211.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Wood gasification boiler questions in reply to Zachary Hoyt, 07-11-2012 05:53:49   Zach, I have a 6 yr. old Tarm Solo Plus 30, and am very happy. I would very highly suggest you going to the Hearth.com, Forums, The Boiler Room, and searching there. I have seen much discussion regarding all the topics you've brought up; your head will start to hurt from all the information available from experienced users. I can't help you compare boiler manufacturers as this one is my only to date, but as far as your storage questions, (I don't have any storage either, by the way), the quick answer is "all of the above". [Reply]  [No Email]
Cjk 07-14-2012 08:05:32 206.126.209.6 Report to Moderator	Re: Wood gasification boiler questions in reply to Ray in Mich, 07-11-2012 09:12:37   I plan to install a GARN boiler in the future. It has it's own water storage, and appears to be very efficient. There are a few videos on YouTube showing how they operate. [Reply]  [No Email]