DS Aqua Gem 1100
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ASea
- Member
- Posts: 1156
- Joined: Thu. Nov. 27, 2014 8:55 pm
- Location: Athol Massachusetts
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Alaska Kast Console II
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Coal Chubby
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114, Glenwood 30 "Estate" Warm Morning 120
- Coal Size/Type: Sherman Anthracite Nut/Stove from C&T Coal
- Other Heating: Peerless Boiler with Cast Iron Baseboards
Does anyone out there own an Aqua Gem Boiler? What are the advantages to a hand fired? Will it work if the power goes out?
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franco b
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 11417
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 05, 2008 5:11 pm
- Location: Kent CT
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: V ermont Castings 2310, Franco Belge 262
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114
- Coal Size/Type: nut and pea
Looked at the pictures and I would not have it as a gift. All the lessons learned in turn of the century parlor stoves pertaining to efficient combustion have been forgotten or ignored.
If you want a boiler go for a stoker.
If you want a boiler go for a stoker.
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StokerDon
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 7496
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
- Location: PA, Southern York County!
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
- Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
- Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood
I don't know about the Aqua Jem but yes, a hand fired boiler keeps burning if the power goes out. That can be a problem though. If your hydronic system does not gravity flow. The good news is you can design your hydronic system so that it gravity flows.ASea wrote:Does anyone out there own an Aqua Gem Boiler? What are the advantages to a hand fired? Will it work if the power goes out?
-Don
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coaledsweat
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 13767
- Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
- Location: Guilford, Connecticut
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
- Coal Size/Type: Pea
If you want heat with no power, get a hand fired coal stove. If you want comfort with no power, get a stoker and a small generator.
Trying to heat a house with a natural draft boiler and gravity is not going to be an experience you will be back here bragging about.
I'm with franco, go with a stoker.
Trying to heat a house with a natural draft boiler and gravity is not going to be an experience you will be back here bragging about.
I'm with franco, go with a stoker.
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coalder
- Member
- Posts: 1501
- Joined: Mon. Dec. 16, 2013 1:48 pm
- Location: somewhere high in the catskill mountains
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: harman sf 160
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: wood parlor stove
This will be my 3rd season heating with a Harman hand fed boiler. For at least 30 years prior I used a wood boiled. Never had a problem. All were plumbed to operate on gravity in case of a power outage, and all functioned well during power outages. In fact rather than rely on the T-stat I crack the flow valve and allow the hot water to flow just enough to warm the living space. This creates a constant mellow heat while also keeping pressure in check at all times.
Also, IMHO, the DS boiler appears to be a pretty good unit, as far as hand fed boilers are concerned.
Jim
Also, IMHO, the DS boiler appears to be a pretty good unit, as far as hand fed boilers are concerned.
Jim
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jremington
- Verified Business Rep.
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Wed. Aug. 26, 2015 6:43 pm
- Location: Belleville, New York
- Stoker Coal Boiler: DS Machines. Keystoker
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: DS Machines Aqua Gem
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Koker 160
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Anthra Glo
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Anthramax Comfort Max
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: DS Kozy King
- Coal Size/Type: Nut, Rice and Stove
- Other Heating: Gas and pellet stoves
- Contact:
The Aqua Gem is a nice hand fired boiler. I've never seen a boiler built this well for the price. And I've spoken with numerous people that have them in PA and they love theirs. And as was stated earlier, if installed properly they will circulate with no power. We've sold three in the last two weeks.
