Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Wiz · By: **Wiz** On: Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:13 pm

Finally got code inspector approval on placing boiler in detach garage, all I have to do is install by manufacture specs. Current stove is a hs tarm mb55 that has gross Output 140,000 btu which has no problem heating house no matter how cold,stove doesn't work hard at all. House is 2300 sq ft well insulate, but I like to add on 25 by 50 garage. What brand and model?????I'm looking at a keystoker KA-6 .... Like to keep garage around 40- 50 degrees...

lsayre · By: **lsayre** On: Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:30 pm

An AHS S130 Coal Gun or an Axeman Anderson 130 would be good choices.

Rob R. · By: **Rob R.** On: Sat Mar 03, 2012 3:36 pm

Wiz wrote:What brand and model????? I'm looking at a keystoker KA-6 ....

This is kind of like asking everyone what kind of beer they like best.

Opinions will vary, and we all have our favorites.

Keystoker makes a nice boiler. If you have a supporting dealer nearby, that should make it an easy decision. A K6 is a nice boiler...very simple, large water jacket, and it should have enough capacity for the load you have described. Keystokers can burn rice and/or buck. A friend of mine heats his 2 story home and garage with a K6...his family loves it.

Underfed stokers like an EFM or a Van Wert are my preferred design, but the various designs all have pros & cons. The two units Isayre mentioned have a loyal following as well, but I think Axeman Anderson got it right the first time.

Wiz · By: **Wiz** On: Sat Mar 03, 2012 4:00 pm

I appreciate the input, and realize the opinions are just that.. My concern is getting a unit big enough to handle the job and one that is reliable.I got to 2 local dealers near me, Harman and Keystoker.

WNY · By: **WNY** On: Sat Mar 03, 2012 4:18 pm

Leisure Line has boilers now too.

You will get many opinions on what to buy, I think everyone on here owns each brand. if you do a Search on here, this question has been asked numerous times, and numerous answers, also, what works for one person, may or may not for another, depending on the heating situation.

jim d · By: **jim d** On: Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:35 pm

the output on the boiler looks like it would be lg enough to heat both venues especially if you were to install raddiant in the garage, beleive me you will love it , you can buy the tubing ect and instaall it your self , then get a pro to help you with the manifolds & near boiler piping

Pacowy · By: **Pacowy** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:00 am

post deleted

Rob R. · By: **Rob R.** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 5:04 am

Wiz wrote:I appreciate the input, and realize the opinions are just that.. My concern is getting a unit big enough to handle the job and one that is reliable.I got to 2 local dealers near me, Harman and Keystoker.

Are you only considering new units? Used/refurbished units can often be had for considerably less than new, but it depends on your comfort level with used equipment and installing it.

What are you planning for a chimney?

sterling40man · By: **sterling40man** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:19 am

Wiz wrote:Finally got code inspector approval on placing boiler in detach garage, all I have to do is install by manufacture specs. Current stove is a hs tarm mb55 that has gross Output 140,000 btu which has no problem heating house no matter how cold,stove doesn't work hard at all. House is 2300 sq ft well insulate, but I like to add on 25 by 50 garage. What brand and model?????I'm looking at a keystoker KA-6 .... Like to keep garage around 40- 50 degrees...

If you really want to buy new and go with a dealer near ya.......I'd go with the K6. The Harman is only rated at 80,000 BTU's. I have a K6 in my garage and pump water 120', one way, (60' underground) in 1" pex al pex piping. My house is 2,400 sf and garage is 1,200 sf. I have no problem heating the house even when it's -40* out. The heat off the boiler keeps my garage between 35*-55* depending on how cold it is outside. I installed a modine heater in the garage for when I want to do some work in there. Since you live in coal country, it won't cost you
much to heat. I'll bet 4 tons would do you.

If you want to buy a used boiler, PM member glenn harris.
Current Stoker Boilers For Sale 2/20/12

or, scrapper_23jr
Only the name has changed

You'ld save almost 1/2 buying used.

Wiz · By: **Wiz** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 11:39 am

sterling40man wrote:
Wiz wrote:Finally got code inspector approval on placing boiler in detach garage, all I have to do is install by manufacture specs. Current stove is a hs tarm mb55 that has gross Output 140,000 btu which has no problem heating house no matter how cold,stove doesn't work hard at all. House is 2300 sq ft well insulate, but I like to add on 25 by 50 garage. What brand and model?????I'm looking at a keystoker KA-6 .... Like to keep garage around 40- 50 degrees...

If you really want to buy new and go with a dealer near ya.......I'd go with the K6. The Harman is only rated at 80,000 BTU's. I have a K6 in my garage and pump water 120', one way, (60' underground) in 1" pex al pex piping. My house is 2,400 sf and garage is 1,200 sf. I have no problem heating the house even when it's -40* out. The heat off the boiler keeps my garage between 35*-55* depending on how cold it is outside. I installed a modine heater in the garage for when I want to do some work in there. Since you live in coal country, it won't cost you
much to heat. I'll bet 4 tons would do you.

If you want to buy a used boiler, PM member glenn harris.
Current Stoker Boilers For Sale 2/20/12

Thanks for reply, this is exactly what I'm doing ... Didn't give a thought on a used K6, I'll look around before buy new. I'm looking forward in giving my back a rest from wood
or, scrapper_23jr
Only the name has changed

You'ld save almost 1/2 buying used.

Wiz · By: **Wiz** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:11 pm

Rob R. wrote:
Wiz wrote:I appreciate the input, and realize the opinions are just that.. My concern is getting a unit big enough to handle the job and one that is reliable.I got to 2 local dealers near me, Harman and Keystoker.

Are you only considering new units? Used/refurbished units can often be had for considerably less than new, but it depends on your comfort level with used equipment and installing it.

What are you planning for a chimney?

Don't have chimney in garage, additional expense

Knowledge level on stokers is limited, so purchasing a used stove makes it difficult. Meaning wouldn't know if its good or just ok

EarthWindandFire · By: **EarthWindandFire** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:12 pm

Any of the boilers are fine and will give you decades of reliable service and heat, even Harman with their bad customer service. My best advice is to buy a large enough boiler, with plenty of reserve heating capacity.

coalkirk · By: **coalkirk** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 1:24 pm

You asked for opinions so here's mine. Don't buy a boiler with plenty of reserve capacity. Buy one that's sized for the normal heat load. One with reserve capacity will not be operating efficiently most of the time. I'm not saying to undersize it. But size it just right.

EarthWindandFire · By: **EarthWindandFire** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:11 pm

Few people, other than hvac professionals or serious heating hobbyists will put forth the effort to do a proper heat loss calculation of their home. Which is why I mentioned sizing a boiler with enough reserve capacity. Nothing worse than spending 4 to 10 thousand dollars on a boiler to only find out it's not large enough. Again, that's my opinion as I sit here with a coal stove too small for my home and have trouble keeping my house above 66 degrees on a warm day.

tikigeorge · By: **tikigeorge** On: Sun Mar 04, 2012 3:02 pm

Look at a Keystoker, simple operation and the controls are available at a supply house should you need them. The gear box comes from Keystoker. My fourth year and I have no regrets on my purchase.
I just added a auger to feed coal from my coal bin to the hopper. No more buckets from the coal bin to the hopper. I only have to remove the ashes, for now. If you are ever in the Phillipsburg NJ area, you can see a KA-6 in operation..

Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler

Re: Advice / Opinions on what stoker boiler