oil cooker for heating?

[sphynx]

Ok.... another heating the boat question from a complete novice!

Having looked and asked about diesel fired central heating systems, I'm now wondering about an oil fired cooker with attached boiler for central heating. Something like a rayburn/aga type cooker. So far the only draw back i can think of is the size and weight of the thing (big ole cast iron type effort!) Since our boat has loads of space to store the oil tank and place the cooker - can anyone mention any pros and cons of using oil and this type of heating....

Cheers


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[pragmatist]

Come on - you still haven't updated your profile. What is this spacious giant of a boat ?

<hr width=100% size=1>a pragmatist is an optimist with a boat in the UK - but serious about not being in the UK !

 

[sailorman]

Simple, dont respond

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[boatmike]

No problem with a full AGA but the stone chimney breast might be a little heavy. Why not go the whole hog and have a wood burning one? Much better!

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[Trevethan]

The only draw back it has other than size and weight is that they don't like moving around. Your 70 odd foot barge should be stable enough and presumeably you'll be in a marina/river/canal.

You'll need to provide ballast you bring the vessel back to trim. The burners like being level.

I would suggest you taklk to a second hand Aga Rayburn centre. Another good brand is Esse.

Had one in a cottage in Devon and and gave great heat and plenty o hot water.



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[cliffb]

I've got one in my house... not an AGA, but a look-a-like...a Stanley. Cheaper than an AGA and better, 'cos I think AGA's don't do radiators...just cooking and hot water. But it pumps out a serious amount of heat. Far too much for a boat/barge I'd think. Mark you... they do do smaller models.
I'd think the weight would be a major consideration...and you would need to take some meaurements of the bits. I'm not at all sure you'd manage to get the biggest bit down a companionway...even if you had the strength...or a block and tackle!
And then...if you're going to sea. On even a modest heal I'd think there'd be a good chance it would pull out of it's fixings...not that there are any, of course. Being so heavy it just sits there. So you'd need to cobble up something to hold it down. You'd really not want that thing crashing about below. In fact the more I think about it, the more I'd be inclined not to do it. I'd be v.worried about the hull structure being able to take the weight. Let alone anything else. Just my opinion, of course.

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[sphynx]

Thanks for the replies - The boat is a 74 foot x 16ft mostly open plan - hence the space. could probably get a smaller sized aga down the companionway (with loads of beer and strong mates!) my main concern is the use of oil on boats, are there any regulations ect on the use of oil (I will do some research) The boat is mainly moored and used for river cruising - nothing hectic!

Cheers

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[tugboat]

If this is to be your only cooker, have you thought about the practicalities of using it in the summer. By the time it has been flashed up, done the cooking, then taken ages to cool down, you are going to be putting a lot of heat into the boat. Also is it practical to light up just for a cuppa?

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[robind]

I ditched a Perkins cooker that had the facility to run central heating, as I went over to gas. It was well built (and like a small AGA ) but according to the previous boat owner it occasionally sent a 20 foot flame out of the side vent causing much consternation to close by plastic boat owners (mine being steel) ))
Rob

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[Trevethan]

He must have been running it fairly low and the flame blew out... hot oil vapurising in the pot, then re-ignited. Happned to my Dickinsons once when I turned off the fuel then turned it on again.

Probably less likely to happen with a longer vertical chimney and proper chimney cap.



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[sphynx]

The cooker will really be used for heating and oven use - and cooking while it's on for the heating, Cuppa tea and summer cooking can be done with the electric hob already installed!
cheers dudes and dudettes!!!

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