Seeking Coal Boiler

Nate5266 · Post by **Nate5266** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 8:08 am

Hello, I am currently trying to find an auto feed coal boiler that uses rice coal. I have been looking into the Keystoker KA-6 and the Leisure Line WL-220. I need something that has about 140,000 BTU to heat my old farm house. Boiler will go in my basement with limited amount of ceiling space. 8" clay flu is at 5' from the floor and inserted in a brick chimney so it will have to have a rear flu instead of a top due to the low inlet. Any suggestions and prices would be greatly apprecieated. Next option would be to get an outdoor boiler that will take wood and coal. Suggestions and prices on that would be apprecieated as well.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 8:32 am

Only rice coal...why so?

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 8:36 am

You ought to fill out your info to include where you are from ... as in Spanishtown,Jamaica ,well I know that if you lived there you wouldn't be looking for coal heat.Outdoor wood/coal burner......... forget about that idea,we just went thru 8 winters with an OWB,never again. Imagine the worst blizzard you have ever seen,now go out in that & tend the stove 2 or more times per day,dig thru the snow/ice to find the wood/coal ,when something breaks.....it breaks during the worst weather & you have to fix it... OUTSIDE IN THE COLD !!!!!!!!! We did !!! Jan.8,2014 3 a/m -5*, 35mph winds

Check out the forums classified for used coal burners.

Nate5266 · Post by **Nate5266** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 9:01 am

Northwestern pennsylvania. And rice coal is what is closest to me dealer wise. I live about an hour from Erie

Post by **Rob R.** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 9:04 am

How did you arrive at the 140k BTU figure?

Nate5266 · Post by **Nate5266** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 9:20 am

I live in a 1874 drafty 2000 sqrt house. Basement not heated or included in sqft. Plans to install dump loop in basement...currently I have a 150,000 but propane boiler built in the late 70's to early 80's inefficient and propane is too expensive. My father in law is a contractor and gave me figures to go off of.

EarthWindandFire · Post by **EarthWindandFire** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 10:04 am

Both boilers you mentioned are very similar in most aspects. However, I would favor the Keystoker due to its dual-fuel capability.

Nate5266 · Post by **Nate5266** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 10:21 am

Keystoker only has duel fuel with oil. Leisure Line can duel fuel with propane or oil...but the problem with the Leisure Line is my flu is toO low to accept it's flu...I would have to drill into my chimney through 18" cut stone...a lot of work...

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 10:39 am

How much headroom will there be to load the hopper for a KA-6?

Nate5266 · Post by **Nate5266** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 10:59 am

Its about 6' ceiling in the basement...

Post by **Rob R.** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 12:50 pm

Scratch the outside boiler idea. By putting the boiler in your basement you will burn less coal and be more comfortable.

If a KA-6 has the capacity you are looking for, it would be a fine choice. If you have the space, leaving the propane boiler in place for an automatic backup would be a nice feature. You could power vent the propane unit and use the chimney for the coal unit.

Have you considered an EFM? A reconditioned 520 is usually priced under a new KA-6, it has the low flue outlet you require, and a wider range of capacity.

Nate5266 · Post by **Nate5266** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 1:22 pm

EFM?? Would an older KA-6 without the secondary combustion burner be good...I'm looking price wise...we have 2 flues in the chimney so no need to power vent the propane...

jridings · Post by **jridings** » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 9:25 pm

i just had the keystoke k4 dual fuel installed in june by the manufacturer, the cost was 6900.00. my home is a 1600 sq ft home with two zones. 134 ft of baseboard. im told the k4 will be mor than sufficient for my demand. its been lit since the day it was installed to heat my dhw. suprised with how well the jacket is insulated, its not over heating my basement. I was comparing to the liesure line wl 110. didnt like the heat exchanger design for cleaning purposes or the cpacity of only 12 gallons vs the 34 gallons of the k4, and the over all height of the unit. my ceiling is 72inches. plenty of room with the k4. right now its only using like 2 1/2 five gallon buckets in 7 days, half of an ash pan. so far so good, the real test is yet to come! cant wait until winter! good luck with your decision!

Post by **Rob R.** » Fri. Aug. 29, 2014 7:44 am

Nate5266 wrote:EFM?? Would an older KA-6 without the secondary combustion burner be good...I'm looking price wise...we have 2 flues in the chimney so no need to power vent the propane...

EFM = Electric Furnace Man, here is a thread with a few pictures of one.

New Life for a 1980 DF520

A used KA-6 could be a great value if it is in good shape and priced reasonably.

It is great that you have 2 flues in the chimney, I would definitely leave that propane boiler in place for backup. If you break your ankle and can't tend to the Keystoker you will be glad you have the propane.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Fri. Aug. 29, 2014 8:07 am

Nate5266 wrote:EFM?? Would an older KA-6 without the secondary combustion burner be good...I'm looking price wise...we have 2 flues in the chimney so no need to power vent the propane...

If you have an older KA-6 within reach for a good price...grab it.