Firing up the Outdoor Boiler

First thing I needed to do, especially with the sub-zero weather coming on Thursday, was to fire up the outdoor boiler.  Its been drained and dormant for  1 1/2 years and needed to be restarted.  This morning I made a trip to the stove store to purchase some rust inhibitor before filling the water.

After pouring the rust inhibitor in, I proceeded to fill the boiler. The boiler is filled from inside the house by connecting the existing underground heating pipes to a water spigot in the basement.  While the boiler was filling, I tested the pump, oh no it doesn't work, oh well I'll use the spare.  That didn't work either.  Both were frozen from non-use.  Took one of the pumps apart, cleaned it, WD-40 and just like new.  Back in business!.

Once filled with water and loaded wtih wood, I used my propane torch to light the wood.  Bingo! Fire!

Boiler & torch with tractor in background.  Tractor started first shot!

Front of boiler, loading door closed

Fire in the boiler

Now I am  just waiting for the water to reach temp and the circulating pump to kick in via the aquastat.  Then we won't be using oil any more for the rest of the winter. Sweet!

Boiler Update:  Took about 3 hours to reach high temp.  Circulating pump kicked in, furnace cut-out.  Heating the whole house (and hot water heater) with wood now.  Just in time for the frigid weather.

On a different topic,  our truckload of furniture appears to be in Worcester (on Rte 20 in Shrewsbury really).

Just got a call from the ABF dispatcher to schedule delivery of the truck.  Trailer will be here Wednesday between 8 and noon.  Driver will call as he leaves the yard, 20 minutes away.  We will have until Monday to unload the trailer.  Two guys in California took two hours to load it. I am sure it will take us longer.  Anyone want to help this weekend? It will be interesting to see how our stuff survived the journey.  It's all our fault if anything is broken since we packed it. We will see how good of a job we did.