These EFM Coal Burners Sound Great

HOW GOOD ARE THESE UNITS?? They sound like a great alternative to wood,oil, etc.

i think that my used efm 520 was one of the best things that I have done in our home, we went from a hand fed coal wood boiler that was always needing to be restarted to our efm 520 that is always burning and keeping house warm... just keep the feed barrel full of coal and dump the ashes havent been this comfortable in this house over last 18 years as we have been since we lit efm 520 in november
our boiler was a used unit 1966 vintage
Ted

I bought mine used last year, I lit it in October and it hasn't gone out since. Plenty of heat and the thing is easy to maintain and repair if ever needed, the parts are all heavy duty and the stoker is very simple in operation. It is by far the best thing I have bought for the house, and the best part is that it has almost paid for itself already in propane savings, for certain it will be earning money come next winter.

They have been in production since 1951 and many are still in use from the '50s. The serial numbers are up to 99,1400+ and almost all parts are interchangeable no matter when it was made.

is there a prize for whoever orders the 100,000th boiler?

Shssssssssss.Everyone will want one. Scott

Maybe we'll have a contest and give it away !

While I ultimately decided to buy an AHS unit I have nothing but the highest regard for the EFM units. I know several people who have them and have had an excellent experience.

Hey stoke man May be you can answer this Question when figuring out the specs on the 520 What is the B.T.U value that They are using for the coal per lb BTU's Because when looking in the manual under Specification Output Per Hr.
Gross Output is 214.690 BTUH At 25lb Per Hr with a 10 Teeth feed Setting Net Output BTUH is 186.690 BTUH When you do the math Just Taking The Coal at 25 lbs Per Hr With the coal burning at 13.500 BTU's Per lb That would be 337.500 BTUH so there is like a 122.810 BTUH loss with the 520 what I am I missing in you specs Other then Heat loss in the water & chimney Just wondering what BTU's They are using for coal Per lb With these Numbers you are looking at like a 60% efficient rating what I am I missing here Thanks

I wondered the same thing, all I can figure is that a pound of coal contains 30% fines, dirt, water, rocks.

This is for steam, but it will give you an idea of what they are doing to get those numbers.
**Broken Link(s) Removed**An EFM 520 should run in the 80-85% range.

My sump pump failed while I was away and when I returned the basament was flooded! Pumped about 3 feet of water out of basement!! The efm stoaker was totally covered by water. When I went down to the basement to assess the damage I heard the stoaker running!!!!Naturally the fire was out so I shut the unit down and drained the water out of the motor,Put fresh oil in the top gear oiler and fired it up.That was 3 weeks ago and it just keeps chugging away.I think these efm stoakers are indestructable.This stoaker is close to 40 years old and I don't think it is ever going to wear out but if it does I will buy another one. Stoakerdude

You can install an L6006 aquastat and the stoker won't run if the fire goes out. This prevents you from coming home to an ash can full of good coal.

Thanks for the tip on the aquastat.I have filled up the ash bin with coal several times over the years. If I use the l6006 aquastat will I still have to use the timer to keep the fire going on warm days? Stoakerdude

Yes. The 6006 only senses the out-fire and prevents the stoker motor from starting.