Frequently asked questions about EZ Boilers Stoves
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Are concrete pads required?
No, concrete pads are not required.
A firm level ground with a solid concrete block under each leg is all that is needed.
Will the stove corrode?
The stove is made out of mild steel which, if left untreated, will corrode. We use a sodium nitrite based solution for corrosion protection. You can purchase it directly from the manufacturer: Corrosion Control 800 For your convenience, we no longer require you to submit a water sample for testing every year. Simply send us a copy of your dated purchase receipt every year, by email or text, or even old fashioned mail. We will then place that proof in your file in case warranty issues ever arise. On average you will need to add one quart per year, which will be about $30.00. We also keep it in stock at our shop in Hersey, Michigan, if you prefer to pick it up in person.
Read more about Corrosion prevention
What materials are used to make the stove?
We use 1/4″ steel in a rounded cylinder shape for our fireboxes. Our water jacket is a round design as well and is 3/16″ thick. The jacket is insulated with spray foam for greater efficiency; and it completely surrounds the firebox. The larger outdoor stove has a large steel 24” x 24” door and is insulated with 2200 degree ceramic fiber insulation. The chimney is 8″ schedule 40 steel, 5/16” thick. Welds are 100% penetration. These are some of the heaviest built outdoor furnaces available – anywhere!
What are the daily operations for an outdoor boiler?
Following simple daily operations will increase the performance of your stove. Everyday, before you load your outdoor stove, you will want to pull the ash and coal pile to the front of your firebox. Make it into a heaping pile, then load your organic fuel on and behind the coal pile. The fire will burn through the coal pile and into the fresh organic fuel, burning coal to ash much better.
Another benefit of raking ashes forward each day is that it will make it easier when you need to empty the ashes, ever 4-6 weeks. The ashes will already be in the front, and more of the firebox is available for heat transfer to the water jacket. This will make your outdoor stove work faster and burn less fuel! If you allow your outside furnace firebox to fill half way up with ashes, you will minimize the heat transfer area and will have a tough time finding room for fuel. How To Videos
How many square feet will the stove heat and how often do I have to fill it?
The 5,000 Square Foot Model will heat the average home, pole barn (up to 30′ x 40′) and hot water heater. Using good quality fuel, this model should give you a burn time of 15-18 hours in the middle of winter. Spring and fall seasons, the fuel will last much longer. The quality of insulation, windows, type of fuel used, etc. could affect the burning time. We recommend that you experiment with the amount of fuel that you fill the stove with so that it needs to be filled once every 12 hours. It’s more convenient to just pick the same time every day for adding fuel. If you pick 8 AM, it’s easy to remember to do it at 8 PM, 12 hours later.
Because of all of the variables, we cannot tell you exactly how often you need to fill your stove. Ideally, we hope to only need to fill the stove twice a day. However, the amount of fuel to add needs to be adjusted according to the weather. You need to experiment to find the correct amount of fuel for your particular situation. If you aren’t getting a 12-hour burn time, you need to add more fuel. During extremely cold weather, you may have to add fuel more often, but try not to waste fuel by simply stuffing it full regardless of the weather.
How does the outdoor stove heat my home?
The furnace is a burning stove that sits in your yard, usually 50′ – 100′ away from your house. It burns organic fuels and heats the water in the water jacket that surrounds the firebox. The water is pumped through an insulated line that is buried in the ground and attaches to a furnace coil (like a radiator) that is mounted in the duct work of your home.
When your thermostat calls for heat, only the furnace blower turns on, forcing air through the furnace coil and warming your house with the heat created in the stove.
Can the stove begin heating my home as soon as I light the fire for the first time?
No. It is very important when you first fire your stove to allow the water to come up to operating temperature (160° to 180°) before you actually start heating your home or other structure. If you start drawing heat out of the water too soon, the stove will not be able to catch up, and creosote will probably clog your chimney. Keep the water pump(s) operating, but don’t turn the indoor thermostat for the outdoor stove up until that operating temperature is reached. It should take about an hour or less to reach the proper temperature.
Wouldn’t it be better to have a larger water capacity in the stove?
The water capacity of each stove has been engineered for maximum efficiency and operation. A larger water tank would allow the stoves to cycle on and off less frequently; however, during milder weather, the time period between cycles would become great enough to result in a smoldering pile of ashes and wood that struggles to come back to life when needed. It would also cause more smoke and damaging creosote formation. Our stoves are designed to produce a smooth, steady transfer of heat that keeps your home warm and comfortable 24 hours a day.
Can I heat my swimming pool with your stove?
We cannot offer expert advice on this, but it certainly can be done. It just requires an additional heat exchanger designed for heating pools and spas. Here is a link with good information: Pool Heating
What issues have you had with your stoves?
The biggest point of failure is the electrical solenoid. We strongly recommend keeping a spare solenoid on hand in case of failure. This is an inexpensive part which is simple to replace. However, it can prevent the stove from operating correctly if it fails. Routine proper maintenance can protect it.
Why are EZ Boilers’ prices the outdoor boiler industry’s lowest prices?
Most stove manufacturers sell to a dealer who then marks up the price for resale to the customers. We sell our stoves factory direct to the customers, eliminating the middle man dealer, and saving our customers a lot of money.