Ultimizer BL 34 44 vs Heatmaster MF 7000

 

PortageandMain 34 44 versus Heatmaster MF 7000 

Making an Informed Choice.

We Measured How Much Wood You Would Save

in this ‘9 Hour Case Study’ Featuring a Side-by-side Comparison of both boilers   

Are you exploring ways to heat your home more efficiently ? Let us guide you through the benefits of outdoor boilers, a heating solution you might not have considered yet. Our team has conducted extensive tests comparing different outdoor boilers to demonstrate their effectiveness.

We’ve meticulously prepared both boilers and stayed with them for 9 hours, ensuring they start at the same temperature and use equal amounts of wood with the same moisture content. This precise setup allows us to accurately assess their performance.

For nearly 50 years, we’ve been crafting the Portage and Main boilers, renowned for their multi-pass heat exchanger that significantly reduce wood consumption. In contrast, Heatmaster boilers, are often reported to require a lot more wood. Many of our customers have switched from Heatmaster to Portage and Main, noticing up to a 50-60% reduction in wood usage!

It simply means LESS wood burnt = MORE savings 💲 💲 💲 and

LESS time spent loading & operating the boiler = MORE time with your family and farm friends ⏰ ⏰ ⏰

Our goal today is to validate these claims. We believe that even a 20-25% reduction in wood usage is a substantial benefit. We’ve gathered data, and the results are in. So read on …

📝Part 1 of 3 : Introduction

In this three-part case study, we embark on a detailed examination of two outdoor boiler systems: The time tested – Portage and Main Boiler and Heatmaster. Our primary focus is to assess their performance under specific conditions, using Tamarack wood with a moisture content of 15-30%.

This report, being the first installment, sets the stage for an in-depth analysis, aimed at providing valuable insights for both consumers and industry professionals.

📝Background

The Importance of Moisture Content in Wood Burning Explanation of how moisture content impacts combustion, efficiency, and emissions. Relevance of testing boilers with wood in the 15-30% moisture range.

📝Methodology

Selection of Wood Criteria for choosing Tamarack wood, including its properties and common usage in boilers. Process of ensuring the wood’s moisture content was consistently within the 15-30% range.

📝Test Conditions

Description of the controlled environment where the tests were conducted. Detailed explanation of how the wood was weighed and prepared for each boiler. Key Performance Indicators for Boiler Efficiency Analysis

🔥 Fuel Consumption: Maximizing Efficiency and Minimizing Costs -Importance of Wood Conservation: Emphasizing the significance of saving wood, which directly correlates to reduced time spent in collecting firewood. Economic Impact: Highlighting the monetary savings achieved by using less wood, a crucial factor for our audience’s budget considerations.

🔥 Water Temperature: Ensuring Optimal Heat Transfer and Comfort -Temperature Consistency: Evaluating how effectively each boiler maintains a stable water temperature, essential for consistent heating performance. -Efficiency in Heating: Analyzing the ability of the boilers to reach and sustain desired water temperatures with minimal energy expenditure.

🔥 Stack Temperature: A Gauge for Combustion Efficiency -Measurement of Emissions: Stack temperature as an indicator of how cleanly and efficiently the wood is being burnt.

Below, you’ll find detailed charts and observations that will help you make an informed decision before purchasing an outdoor boiler. Discover how you can heat your home more effectively and efficiently!

 

 

📝Part 2 of 3: Introduction

In Part 2, this detailed account provides a comprehensive comparison between two outdoor boiler systems, Portage and Main and Heatmaster, focusing on their performance under specific testing conditions using Tamarack wood with a moisture content of 15-30%. Here’s a structured summary highlighting key user pain points and findings:

📝 Methodology

The wood’s moisture content was meticulously maintained within the 15-30% range to ensure consistent testing conditions. – The tests were conducted in a controlled environment, with careful preparation of the wood for each boiler.

📝Key Findings Portage and Main Boilers

🔥 Refractory Brick Advantage: The use of refractory bricks around the firebox enhances combustion, leading to more complete burns and finer ashes. This design helps maintain higher temperatures essential for efficient combustion, aligning with the fire triangle principles (fuel, oxygen, temperature).

🔥 Stable Performance: The boiler demonstrated consistent performance with less need for user intervention, like knocking down wood to prevent bridging. The design allows for even burning and efficient heat transfer, minimizing smoke and emissions.

🔥 Efficient Heat Transfer: The boiler effectively maintains water temperature, ensuring optimal heat transfer and comfort. It cycled on and off every 15 minutes or less, showing superior temperature regulation and efficiency.

📝Key Findings Heatmaster

🔥 Bridging Issues: The boiler experienced repeated bridging, where logs would not fall properly, leading to uneven combustion and reduced efficiency. This issue necessitated manual intervention to knock down the logs, which is impractical, especially during the night.

🔥 Inadequate Combustion: The design, which lacks refractory bricks and relies solely on air from underneath, resulted in incomplete combustion. This led to lower temperatures and inefficient operation, as evidenced by the boiler’s struggle to maintain set temperatures and longer cycle times.

🔥 Heat Loss Concerns: Observations indicated potential heat loss areas around the boiler, affecting its overall efficiency since it doesn’t follow the “Fire Triangle” for optimum combustion.

📝Conclusion

The comparative analysis highlights significant differences in performance, efficiency, and user convenience between the two boilers. The Portage and Main boiler, with its refractory brick design and efficient combustion, outperforms the Heatmaster boiler, which faces challenges with bridging and heat retention. These findings are crucial for consumers and industry professionals looking for reliable and efficient outdoor boiler systems.

source:  https://portageandmainboilers.com/2023/12/15/portage-and-main-boilers-versus-heatmaster-an-observational-case-study-2023/