You have come to the right place to get information about the best outside wood furnace in 2017
People can say what they want and even use the chart found below at bardworld.com (copied here, with permission) but this is not always reality.
One thing not shown in charts and stats is QUALITY!
Numbers tell a lot but they don't talk about quality and precision!
What is the best outdoor wood furnace for the money????
Hyprotherm Boiler appears to be above the rest, with lots of
GREEN in the charts (see bottom row).
Another outdoor furnace that is outstanding is Nature's Comfort Boiler, in my opinion,
is built by the
AMISH and we all know about the fine quality of their furniture, with specialty
stores dotting the country!
They even have an ash tray (below in photo) and a shaker grate for coal (left side of photo).
Some of their doors are about 25" x 27" to easily load your wood!
The folks at bardworld did not review the Nature's Comfort at the time because the company was only 4 years old then but now they have really grown and blossomed and are well talked about in forums and blogs!
They even have a new EPA approved and certified White Tag Boiler.
Ignore the chart below and I say have a look at Nature's comfort Boiler!
WNC Stoves at http://www.outdoorwoodfurnaceboiler.com also sells Nature's Comfort Boilers, as does http://naturescomfortboilers.com !
We only review manufacturers with a track record of 5 years or more. There are so many companies that come and go, it is wise to stick with established companies that will likely be there when you need them.
GREEN denotes BEST
RED denotes WORST
| Model and Manufacturer | Firebox Material & Design | Firebox
Thickness Information taken from their website or forums if not found on their website |
Water Capacity | Qualifies for up to $1500 Energy Tax Rebate? | WEIGHT
(tinned or sheltered models) |
Ash Pan? | Fan? Yes/No Front/Back |
Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? (Built-in coil) |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty
& Years covered 100% |
Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Notes and comments | Manufacturer/Brand |
| Listed alphabetically | Why is the metal & design important? | Why is the firebox thickness important?? | Why is water capacity important? | Why
is this important? (besides the money) |
Why is the weight important? | Why is an ash pan important? | Why is a fan important? | Why should you pay for a pump? | Why is this important? | Why would you want a pressurized boiler? | Why is the warranty important? | Do you want to crate it up? | Listed alphabetically | ||
| Aqua Therm
1983 |
Firebox
Material & Design Stainless
Steel Round 42-55" |
Firebox
Thickness Models 275 and
345 have a 3/16” firebox |
Water
Capacity 48-76 |
$1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT 630-1050 1080-1590 |
Ash
Pan? NO Auger |
Fan? YES Back |
Is
a pump included? YES |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System Closed Requires pressure tank and antifreeze |
Colors Available | Warranty Effectively 10-years "Lifetime" |
Furnace
needs to be shipped back for warranty service? Yes, Ship |
Aqua Therm | |
| Central
Boiler
1980 |
Firebox
Material & Design Mild Steel Box |
Firebox
Thickness Their website only says "heavy gauge" but forums say 1/4" or .250" |
Water
Capacity 140-393 |
$1500 Rebate? NO
Only E-Classic
model |
WEIGHT 1350-2450 |
Ash
Pan? No |
Fan? NO (optional) (Front) |
Is
a pump included? No |
Heats Domestic Hot Water? | Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System OPEN |
Colors
Available 8 + Camo |
Warranty The "Classic" furnace has an optional 25-year limited warranty but You have to pay shipping. |
Furnace
needs to be shipped back for warranty service?
Yes, Ship |
Expensive: $5490 - 7830 |
Central Boiler |
| Clear Flame
NEW? |
Firebox
Material & Design Stainless Steel |
Firebox Thickness | Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT | Ash
Pan? NO Auger |
Fan? | Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty | Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Clear Flame | |
| Mahoning
Outdoor Furnaces 1988 |
Firebox
Material & Design Steel PLATE Box |
Firebox
Thickness (approx 3 gauge) 1/4" |
Water
Capacity 228-352 |
$1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT 2350-3300 |
Ash
Pan? Yes |
Fan? Yes Back |
Is
a pump included? Yes |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Optional Built-in Coil |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System OPEN |
Colors
Available NO "Looks like a fridge sitting outside" |
Warranty Only |
Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | - Has
electronics that WILL fail -Ugly "Looks like a fridge sitting outside" as one forum writer reports. - 2" insulation board
(Poor insulation) |
Mahoning $5695 for a 4,000 sq. ft. model |
| Freedom
Outdoor Furnace LLC 2002 |
Firebox
Material & Design Steel PLATE Box |
Firebox
Thickness 1/4" |
Water
Capacity 185 - 291 |
$1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT 2150-2950 |
Ash
Pan? Yes |
Fan? Yes Back |
Is a pump included? Yes |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System OPEN |
Colors
Available NO Also looks like a fridge sitting outside |
Warranty 11-year warranty |
Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Freedom | |
| Hardy | Firebox
Material & Design Stainless Steel Box |
Firebox
Thickness Uses
both 14 gauge .0747"
1/16" and |
Water
Capacity 100 -
160 |
$1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT 650-1000 |
Ash
Pan? No |
Fan? Yes Back |
Is
a pump included? Yes |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Yes Built-in Coil |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System OPEN |
Colors
Available NO Also looks like a fridge sitting outside |
Warranty 10-year warranty |
Furnace
needs to be shipped back for warranty service?
Yes, Ship |
Many firebox failures reported due to cracking because the firebox is so thin and made of stainless steel. | Hardy |
| Heatmaster
2001 Manitoba, Canada |
Firebox
Material & Design Stainless Steel Round |
Firebox
Thickness N/A |
Water
Capacity 100-150 |
$1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT 1000-1400 |
Ash
Pan? YES |
Fan? Yes Back |
Is
a pump included? No |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System OPEN |
Colors
Available NO |
Warranty Some websites say 10-year warranty |
Furnace
needs to be shipped back for warranty service?
Maybe ship - some area have a repair facility |
Heatmaster | |
| Heatmor 1984 Warroad, MN |
Firebox
Material & Design Stainless Steel |
Firebox
Thickness 10 gauge .1345" |
Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT | Ash Pan? | Fan? | Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty 20 years Claims "Lifetime" but they only pays 20% at year 9 |
Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Heatmor | |
| HeatSource 1 | Firebox
Material & Design Stainless Steel |
Firebox Thickness | Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT | Ash Pan? | Fan? | Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty 10 |
Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | HeatSource 1 | |
| Hydro Fire | Firebox Material & Design | Firebox
Thickness 10 gauge .1345" |
Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT | Ash Pan? | Fan? | Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty | Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Hydro Fire | |
| Lil'House Outside Wood Heater | Firebox Material & Design | Firebox
Thickness 16 gauge .060" |
Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT | Ash Pan? | Fan? | Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty | Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Lil'House Outside Wood Heater | |
| Nature's Comfort Boilers |
Mild Steel Oval and Round |
Firebox
Thickness 1/4 - 3/8" |
Water
Capacity 120-400 |
NO | WEIGHT
Up to a massive |
Ash
Pan? Yes; removable |
Fan? Yes; a REALLY BIG ONE standard; in the back, blowing air in from the bottom, like a blacksmith's forge, |
Is
a pump included? Yes |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Yes, with a smaller and less expensive plate exchager |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System Open (safer) |
Colors
Available Yes |
Warranty 10/20 years |
Furnace
needs to be shipped back for warranty service? NO! |
Built with the extremely HIGH QUALITY of the AMISH! (Look at the photot of the door, at top of page) |
Nature's Comfort Boilers |
| Portage &
Main
Since 1973 |
Firebox
Material & Design Mild Steel Round |
Firebox
Thickness 1/4" (.250") |
Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT | Ash
Pan? Yes |
Fan? Yes Back |
Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty | Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Portage &
Main
Since 1973 |
|
| Empyre Wood Burning
Furnace
Pro-Fab Industries |
Firebox
Material & Design Stainless Steel |
Firebox
Thickness 10 gauge
.1345" |
Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO
Only
EMPYRE Pro Series Wood Gasification |
WEIGHT Website only says, "large" |
Ash
Pan? YES |
Fan? NO |
Is
a pump included? NO |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty | Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Empyre Wood Burning
Furnace
Pro-Fab Industries |
|
| Shaver
Outdoor Wood Furnace CLOSED their doors! OUT OF BUSINESS beware; reopening in a new name; Hillbilly Manufacturing |
Firebox
Material & Design Mild Steel Round |
Firebox
Thickness Thicker than 1 Gauge; .427"- 3/8" (Optional 1/2") |
Water
Capacity 170-300 |
$1500 Rebate? YES |
WEIGHT 1600-3194 |
Ash
Pan? Yes |
Fan? Yes Back |
Is
a pump included? Yes |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Yes Built-in Coil |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System Open |
Colors
Available 20 |
Warranty 20 On-site warranty |
Furnace
needs to be shipped back for warranty service? NO, |
Off-the-shelf parts. Has an on-site warranty |
Shaver
Outdoor Wood Furnace
Since 1972 |
| Taylor | Firebox
Material & Design Stainless Steel Square |
Firebox
Thickness Models 275 and 345 have a 3/16 (0.1875") firebox, and the model 145 has a 1/8 (.125") |
Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT | Ash Pan? | Fan? Yes Front |
Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Yes Built-in Coil |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty | Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Many firebox failures reported due to cracking because the firebox is so thin and made of stainless steel. | Taylor |
| The Homesteader | Firebox Material & Design | Firebox
Thickness 7 gauge or approx. .1793" |
Water Capacity | $1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT | Ash Pan? | Fan? | Is a pump included? | Heats Domestic Hot Water? | Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty | Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | The Homesteader | |
| Wood Master
Northwest Manufacturing, Inc. |
Firebox
Material & Design Mild Steel Round |
Firebox
Thickness 1/4"
(.250") |
Water
Capacity 100-112 |
$1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT 1340-2100 |
Ash
Pan? NO |
Fan? YES Front |
Is
a pump included? No $231 each |
Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System OPEN |
Colors
Available 4 |
Warranty Only a 10 year warranty with only 70% covered in 6th year. Ninth year is only 10%
On-site |
Furnace needs to be shipped back for warranty service? | Wood Master
Northwest Manufacturing, Inc. |
|
| Wood Doctor CLOSED their doors! OUT OF BUSINESS but beware; reopening in a new name! |
Firebox
Material & Design Mild Steel and Stainless Round Has water tubes which can leak |
Firebox
Thickness 1/4" (.250") |
Water
Capacity 130-310 |
$1500 Rebate? NO |
WEIGHT 1700-3400 |
Ash
Pan? No |
Fan? YES Front |
Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? Only with
sidearm and anti-scald valve |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System OPEN |
Colors
Available 1 |
Warranty
-30 YEAR REPLACEMENT
WARRANTY ON CERTIFIED 1/4" BOILER PLATE UNITS |
Furnace
needs to be shipped back for warranty service? NO |
Found online: "Have a wood doctor stainless not any good cant get fixed leaking" |
Wood Doctor |
|
Model and Manufacturer Listed alphabetically |
Firebox Material & Design |
Firebox
Thickness Information taken from their website or forums if not found on their website |
Water Capacity | Qualifies for Tax Rebate? | WEIGHT
(tinned or sheltered models) |
Ash Pan? | Fan? Yes/No Front/Back |
Is a pump included? | Heats
Domestic Hot Water? (Built-in coil) |
Open
or Closed (Pressurized) System |
Colors Available | Warranty
& Years covered 100% |
Furnace needs to be shipped for warranty service? | Manufacturer/Brand | |
| Hyprotherm Boiler | Mild Steel FORMED Firebox with one piece of metal |
3/8" and 1/2" | 185-350 | expired | 1790-4170 | Pull-out pan | YES , 75 CFM with auto damper | YES, installled with flanges | YES | Open (safer) | 21 colors at NO EXTRA Charge | 20 -YEAR on site |
Hyprotherm Canada Home Page
Hyprotherm Manufacturing LLC
Outside Wood Boiler Review Comparisons
CONTACT WNC Stoves
Stainless vs Mild Steel
PHOTOS Outdoor Boiulers
Outdoor Wood Boilers for Sale
USED Outdoor Wood Boilers for Sale
Aqua Therm vs. Bryan Furnace
Central Boiler vs. Mahoning
Freedom vs. Hardy
Heatmaster vs. Heatmor
HeatSource 1 vs. Hydro Fire
Lil'House Outside Wood Heater vs. Empyre Wood Burning Furnace
Shaver Outdoor Wood Furnace vs. Earth Stove
Taylor vs. Hardy
The Homesteader vs. Wood Master
Wood Doctor vs Greenwood