Erin Stove - remove back boiler?

vidapura

Hi,
We have a Waterford Stanley Erin Stove with back boiler.

Our plumber wants us to do away with back boilers (we've one in another fireplace as well) and just tidy up the plumbing and maybe move the tank upstairs.
The Erin is a big ole yoke too so it takes up a good bit of space in front of a fireplace.. so we'd be able to replace with an insert stove..

But I wouldn't have the budget to replace the stove entirely this year.

Would it be possible to run the Erin without the back boiler?
Presumably we can't just cut the pipes and carry on ..like...

Anyone know if its a bolt-on or integral to the stove?


Thanks

blackbox

I think you should be safe enough to cut the pipes and drain out the water. As long as you leave the water pipes on the boiler open it won't build any pressure.

Wearb

blackbox wrote: »

I think you should be safe enough to cut the pipes and drain out the water. As long as you leave the water pipes on the boiler open it won't build any pressure.

I think I remember reading of a tragedy when someone did just that. Without the water the back boiler just expanded and warped and knocked down the fire front. I know this is a different setup, but it just illustrates the possibility of unforeseen problems.

TomOnBoard

blackbox wrote: »

I think you should be safe enough to cut the pipes and drain out the water. As long as you leave the water pipes on the boiler open it won't build any pressure.

Not advised!!! the steel in the boiler would have no cooling mechanism and would distort and warp all over the place. This could put pressure on the stove casing and create CO leaks.

Some folks try and fill them with sand to act as a kind of heat sink and to help prevent warping. I don't know how well that would work, but its possibly worth researching. In the same vein, perhaps filling the boiler with a slurry of refractory cement could work- again worth researching.

The Erin stove would have technical drawings available that would allow you to consider removing the boiler entirely. Also worth thinking about if you're a good DIYer.

Finally, if the stove is in good condition, consider removing and selling it. You could then use the dosh to replace it with something more suited to your needs. Remember, without a boiler, you'd need a much smaller stove than an Erin to heat the room.

HTH

vidapura

Thanks for all the replies folks..

Yeah.. probably just better to see if I can sell it ...

Wonder could it be traded in... hmm...

Thanks

9935452

TomOnBoard wrote: »

blackbox wrote: »

I think you should be safe enough to cut the pipes and drain out the water. As long as you leave the water pipes on the boiler open it won't build any pressure.

Not advised!!! the steel in the boiler would have no cooling mechanism and would distort and warp all over the place. This could put pressure on the stove casing and create CO leaks.

Some folks try and fill them with sand to act as a kind of heat sink and to help prevent warping. I don't know how well that would work, but its possibly worth researching. In the same vein, perhaps filling the boiler with a slurry of refractory cement could work- again worth researching.

The Erin stove would have technical drawings available that would allow you to consider removing the boiler entirely. Also worth thinking about if you're a good DIYer.

Finally, if the stove is in good condition, consider removing and selling it. You could then use the dosh to replace it with something more suited to your needs. Remember, without a boiler, you'd need a much smaller stove than an Erin to heat the room.

HTH

The boiler on the erin is basically the whole frame of it.
Remove the boiler and there is basically nothing left

vidapura

Thanks,
Yeah, I've decided to sell it on when I can.
Don't have money to replace it just at the moment (redoing the bathroom first) but will probably stick it on donedeal coming closer to the winter..
Thanks again.