Essex boilers
I/ve had an Essex wood boiler for over 25 yrs. which is also a smoke burner. During this time, I have sent a brush through my chimney once. A small shop in Mass. can still make them but at considerable cost. Used units rarely come on the market. I can give you a list of pros and cons if your interested, but I've saved a fortune with it. Some questions you might ask of the units being suggested are:
1. How frequently is a clean out needed, and what is the procedure. Considerable ash dust may be generated.
2. If the burn of the smoke is accomplished with heated refractory bricks, how often must they be replaced, and what do they cost. Are they off the shelf items at any brick store, or are they available only through their dealer.
3. Is there a mechanism for handling excess heat? Does it cycle on and off? Is it controlled by electricity? Having to open the windows in the Winter really puts a crimp on efficiency.