The Central Boiler Classic is a wood furnace available in four models, with a tank capacity ranging from 140 gallons to 764 gallons. It features a ripple top design for increased heat transfer area and a vent cap designed to eliminate evaporation. The unit's large, insulated cast iron door is designed for easy loading and maximum efficiency, with a powder coating for increased paint durability. A water-filled HeatLock baffle will not warp or burn out, and sprayed-on urethane foam insulation forms an airtight seal around the water jacket. Due to the EPA's New Source Performance Standards, new Classic models will only be available until the end of 2015. Base models of the Classic start at $5,490, though prices can vary depending on shipping and options.
I bought a new central boiler in 2015. 3 years later its leaking water from a weld in the water jacket. Central boiler is telling me its a bad maintenance problem on my part. Not. I understand I can ship it back to them and they will look at it. About $3400 for shipping. I owned a Woodmaster for 20 years and anticipated it was due for problems. Never had a leak in water jacket! Should have bought another Woodmaster.
Ted Wallin
Minnesota
"CL-17"
5.0 rating
Very Satisfied
My Cl-17 Classic Central Boiler is the most reliable, rock solid piece of equipment I own. This system has never let me down. I have owned it for 18 years and still operates like it did when I bought it. System requires very little maintenance, like other brands. My Central boiler wood stove saves me $2500-3500 a year in propane cost.
Goose Larson
Eau Halle township
"Classic 6048"
1.0 rating
Very Unsatisfied
Had unit installed fall of 2010 worked great for 18 Months nothing but problems after that would overheat in summer & take 3 times more firewood in winter. Installer gave me very little satisfaction finally went thru legal process, wow this company is a disgrace their warranty is a selling scheme only. Beware never buy a classic boiler!!!!!
Harvey Miller
Ohio
"Very unsatisfied"
1.0 rating
Very Unsatisfied
I am still at a slow burn over the central 5036 boiler I bought 10 or so yrs ago. Never had any problems with it except it was a wood gobbling sob. I have had a cast iron stove in the house before I bought the 5036 boiler with 2 lean to's just outside the door for the stove…what will last me all winter in the stove, the boiler would use in less that 6 weeks..i also installed their recommended insulated piping that they bragged about laying on top of the ground…(very expensive stuff) I went with this because I couldn't go very deep with my piping.. About a foot. You could see just where the piping was installed since it would melt the snow on top of it. I loved the idea of the mess outside and supposedly not having to put wood in very often…it just didn't work out, I would have to fill this boiler 4 times a day when it got below 0 I called central boiler about this and got no satisfaction from them…..I Have read the horror storied about these units rusting out and sold mine a year ago… Fortunately with no leaking problems…I wouldn't purchase another central boiler after having one and reading the reviews.
P. Kuempel
Guttenberg, IA
"Great at first until start leaking and it will leak 7 years before mine did"
1.0 rating
Very Unsatisfied
Company can not survive. There customer service sucks always kept my water conditioned and controlled. 1st leaks on outside by chimney interface outside jacket. Now leaks on inside water jacket at typical ash line 8 inches up chimney side. I don't call customer surface any more. They have no good advice other you need to get somebody to fix leaks. They said must had been because of cardboard I used to start fire two or three times a year. Ask them if they have any recommendations they say talk to local dealer local dealer does not work on them and due to liability does not want to recommend any body . They are ready to sell me another $ 8000 dollar unit that I can only burn seasoned wood in. Are they serious???? All done with outdoor stoves if this one is unrepairable. Going back to indoor wood burning maybe you use plumbing for solar hotwater heater passive system. If you have one of these systems might be good idea to put some protective 1/4 in steel liner on inside now before it thins out and leaks like mine. Line up your guy to weld on it, make sure your back up heat sources are working and fuel available plan on repair budget or plan replacement budget. 15 Year shelf life if your lucky. I bought one will not by another not worth investment.
A homeowner on hearth.com was trying to choose between the Classic and a Heatmaster unit which was $2000 less. A couple of people said to get the Heatmaster because the price is so much lower, but a slight majority preferred the Classic because Central Boiler is a bigger company with more support. A homeowner on forestryforum.com deciding between the Classic and the E-Classic was told by most responders that the Classic is time-tested and that most customers have been satisfied with it.
Classic Warranty
Product registration is required for maximum warranty coverage. The warranty for the Central Boiler Classic wood furnace is comprised of the following:
1-year manufacturer defect & workmanship warranty
An optional 25-Year Warranty is available if a Limited Warranty Registration Form is completed and sent to Central Boiler within five (5) days of the original owner taking possession of the furnace AND provided that one thermostatic valve per set of supply and return lines is installed in the system.
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