Looking for Coal Steam Boiler

Hi all, new to the forum.

I am burning Natural Gas to generate steam through a Weil McLain boiler rated at a net output of 168,000 BTU/Hr. I am looking to buy a Dual fuel (Coal / Gas, Riello makes oil and gas burners, I will substitute oil burner for gas) Steam boiler. I have called some places. The AHS WOC 55 sounded great, but $5800 for the boiler, $995 for the steam fittings package (can do that myself for less) 300+ for the Riello gas burner (understandable) $580 for the controller to automatically switch from coal to gas provided the fire goes out (seems expensive) and some other added expenses with shipping comes out to around $8200 , and that doesn't even include the optional ASME certification of $1500 . All that and a 7 month wait. The price mysteriously went a lot higher from the first quote which is not great either. When I had first called it would have been cheaper, but at that time I hadn't had enough saved. Now that I do, it is almost double in price . That is a real morale killer. I called marathon, they do not offer their boiler in steam trim, Keystoker no longer manufactures their hand fired dual fuel boiler, Harman - no steam, New yorker - no steam. I am at a loss. I have noticed the boilers that went up for sale here have been so at some very good prices to which I applaud those that have listed their boilers and are interested in helping , not price gouging.

The only other option right now it seems is for me to fabricate my own dual fuel steam boiler. I have been drafting some plans so far. If anyone has a coal boiler for sale please let me know.

Thank you for your help.

We offer the Steam boiler package at efm and it is ASME coded, but I would guess that steam is about 2% of sales these days.

A used EFM or Axeman-Anderson hot water boiler can be can be converted to steam fairly inexpensively, that is the route I would take. Stay away from dual fuel devices as they are very inefficient on the oil side, keep your present W-M for backup.

I'm surprised that even 2% of new boilers are steam. Other than those select few that have a single pipe steam making it expensive to change over to hot water, why would anyone want steam? Simply put, a steam system uses more fuel than the hot water system that would replace it. You also are more comfortable with hot water as temperature swing is less.

With two pipe steam systems the cost of switching to how water is usually paid back in a few seasons via lower fuel cost savings.

There are often problems when switching steam to hot water. Sludge, for one. Another is that steam operated at 1-2 PSI and water is 11 and up, often causing leaks.

Steam also tends to be local. Whoever was the predominant plumber in an area often installed all steam or no steam at all.

The same efm boiler is used for steam or hot water, only the controls are different, probably about $500 difference between the two systems.

Hi all, thanks for the replies.

My steam system is one pipe, and it was here long before I was. Many large older houses are steam, the 2% makes up for replacements, and in rare cases new installations as far as residential goes.

Don't knock steam though. Schools, Large apartment buildings, Hospitals, and district heating rely heavily on steam. Steam powers the world . If it was up to me, I would build a small high pressure boiler, generate steam and pipe it to a Tubine Generator, to power my house and feed back to the grid .

Back to boilers. If anyone has a hand fired boiler for sale let me know. I think I will keep the gas boiler, the reason I was looking for the dual fuel was to replace the Weil-Mclain completely. I can always order the WOC 55 and have it coded, and go without the burner and save some money. But, if the 24 can be made for steam, I would be very interested in that boiler . I have no problem shoveling coal. Thanks again for the help.

efm is welding the prototype of its hand fired wood/coal boiler soon. We expect them to be available before Fall.

LS,

There is always the old school Vacuum/Vapor Steam system, but even that requires a two pipe system . My concern is getting the coal boiler right now. Will call some plumbers and see if they are ripping any old ones out. Thanks

The coal man is itching to make a delivery:
Did you get it yet? Hah, hah Didja Didja? Whens your boiler coming?...come ooooooon, I want to sell you my coal


Stoker Man. So, are you hinting that I can get it in steam trim? WOO HOO . Hurry up and weld that sucker up and send it on over....available before fall, so that means I will be able to save some money prior to and wont have to get the AHS WOC55 becuase they will be only available in february? I hope this is true stoker man. What will the dimensions be...this way it will fit through the ole door.

The hand-fired boiler won't be steam, just hot water. The regular efm DF520 can be steam.

What are the dimensions of the EFM 520? If I would install it next to the Gas boiler I would have to use a 55 gallon Drum but the space is limited where the boiler will go, that is kind of why I was considering a hand fired boiler. Thanks for your help stoker man.

I would avoid a hand fired steam boiler.