Wood Heater - Aussie sources

[skuthorp]

Well, with the new house and the new block and TONS of wood I'm in the market for an efficient wood heater with a heat exchanger for ducting and a water heating capacity. Any recommendations or sources for me to look at? We have power but water will be our own storage so low pressure.

[The Bigfella]

We put a Masport (Kiwi-made) slow combustion fireplace in 20+ years ago. Still going - but not quite as good as new - the adjuster broke a few years back and the door needs new insulating rope around the glass. I'd buy another one though. It is an order of magnitude better than the pot-belly stove it replaced.

I wouldn't mind having a heat exchanger on it. I might start looking too.

[PeterSibley]

I've been running a Rayburn for the last 30 years as a cook stove /heater . It will give a hot shower in 30 mins and heat a 30 gallon tank in about 6 hours .
Here's what one looks like ..
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RAYBURN-WOOD-STOVE_W0QQitemZ190224840681QQihZ009QQcategoryZ2071 2QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Horrible colour !
I don't know if it would produce enough to heat a baseboard or radiant heaters,they are very good bits of gear though .Lots on Ebay as people modernise old houses and get gas .
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RAYBURN-WOOD-STOVE_W0QQitemZ190224840681QQihZ009QQcategoryZ2071 2QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Pretty well like this .This one is the same colour as mine .About the only thing that wears out are the firebricks , about $300 per set ,good for 10 years or so .Parts are available .

Our stove is probably 60 or so years old .A consumer durable .

[rufustr]

Had 10 years experience with a Masport slow combustion stove.
Same issues as Ian plus we warped the internal backplate a couple of times through too much heat.
Parts were cheap and easy to get.
A very efficient stove.
We sold that house about 18 years ago, I was there recently and the same stove is still going strong.

[skuthorp]

Only bottled gas Peter, not an option when there is so much fuel on the block. I suspect water will come eventually, it's not far away and gas when they put the pipe in to Phillip Island.

[shamus]

We had a Bosky stove for a few years. It did cooking, HW and produced sufficient heat to run 15 panel heaters as well (we didn't have 15) but that was claimed. Very efficient firebox with draught control by bi-metallic mounted flap for even temperature.

They also made at that time a boiler version, non cooking which I think would be even more efficient for heating.

[skuthorp]

Bosky, hadn't heard of that one, thanks. They look OK but I can't find an Aussie distributor at the moment though.

[PeterSibley]

Only bottled gas Peter, not an option when there is so much fuel on the block. I suspect water will come eventually, it's not far away and gas when they put the pipe in to Phillip Island.

A misunderstanding Sku ? I meant the Rayburns are wood burning ,people replace them with gas in these faster times .

[doorstop]

We had an "Everhot" at the church Jeff, had an electric backup but never needed it, would have been easy to connect a solar panel too. Worked like a train, always hot water, warmed the kitchen beautifully (15' x 30' x 14' ceiling). Why low pressure? Run your water on a pressure pump for mains pressure , easier than pumping up to an overhead tank... doesn't need be a big pump, just don't buy a bloody Davey!
I can recommend a Husqvarna chainsaw too
I could do with a week or so over your way, should I bring the tool trailer???

[PeterSibley]

Yup ,I've T ed a solar panel in too .Hot water went the suns out , hot water when it's cold .

As to a header tank .Jeff,it's a great idea ! Mine is high enough to put the bottom of the tank at top plate level ,quite sufficient .Pump it full when its down every few weeks .....no horrible pressure pump kicking in all the time and you still have water in your taps when the powers off ..

[doorstop]

Peter, the pressure pump doesn't "kick in and out all of the time", it's constant pressure, hot and cold so there is no pressure drops or differentials... my house here at the beach runs virtually entirely on rainwater. Nothing like a lovely hot shower in beautiful rainwater. Would be great for my hair if I had any! And no ugly, awkward to plumb tank stands and the like.

[PeterSibley]

How does that work ? A pressure bladder ? or something new I haven't heard of ? Does it work when the power is off ?

[skuthorp]

Chris, how generous, we don't get possession till August if he cleans up, later if he doesn't. We'll accept the offer, do a deal on petrol for you too. I need to pick your brains on this I think. Thanks for everyone else's input too.

[shamus]

Re Bosky: an oz website
http://www.webfx.au.com/homeheating/fuelcooking.htm

Also Thermalux on that site.

The Bosky had an interesting firebox, which surrounded the fire on three sides with waterjacket- v. efficient. Too efficient unless you use some heating panels. We used to dump heat outside in summer, though the stove itelf didn't overheat the kitchen. This avoided boiling in the water cylinder.

The firebox is the full depth of the stove, but the grate is moveable. This allows you to stoke up for a 12 hour burn, or if the fire is low and you want to cook on the hotplate, you simply pick up the fire to the appropriate height.

[PeterSibley]

Re Bosky: an oz website
http://www.webfx.au.com/homeheating/fuelcooking.htm

Also Thermalux on that site.

The Bosky had an interesting firebox, which surrounded the fire on three sides with waterjacket- v. efficient. Too efficient unless you use some heating panels. We used to dump heat outside in summer, though the stove itelf didn't overheat the kitchen. This avoided boiling in the water cylinder.

The firebox is the full depth of the stove, but the grate is moveable. This allows you to stoke up for a 12 hour burn, or if the fire is low and you want to cook on the hotplate, you simply pick up the fire to the appropriate height.

Hmm ,a fair bit more sophisticated than a Rayburn .Rayburn's were the standard up here but that sounds much better .A bit like a Franco Belg .

edited to add ...........a little too modern looking for my taste

[skuthorp]

I hadn't intended it to be a cooker really, but why not if the fire's lit.