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It sounds like we both agree that lower isn’t good and this is why I don’t like people relying on auto-feeders. They spend too much time at lower levels

Totally agree with that.

"And yes I think the upper inside of the sections is getting constantly bathed in boiling water…that is the point."

So if the point of a higher water level is for the upper surface to run "cooler", that would be measurable, yes? An infrared thermometer should be able to pick it up. My bet is, once the water is boiling and steam is being produced, there will not be any difference.

"So my question is why aren't you running your water level higher?"

Mine has been at the recommended water level (it's clearly marked on the front of the boiler) once the mistake was understood.

Since I replaced the return piping below the witer line with copper, I'm just not seeing a lot of dirt and sediment in my boiler. I see a little when I drain it for the summer, but in the heating season I only add a little water. I never need to drain it. I haven't used my handy-dandy gauge glass blow-down valve in a couple of years.

Does dirty water make it harder to boil? I think sedimentation might impede heat transfer to some exteent, sending more heat up the flue, but I don't think it raises the boiling point. Dissolved solids (e.g. minerals) can elevate the boiling point, but not suspended particles or colloids if I remember my chemistry.

Since this thread got reanimated, I will take this opportunity to share a video I made the other day about this topic. It shows my current practice to keep my boiler water clean and to minimize corrosion

Adding in some questions here as it ties in to a situation I have. Appears I've finally located most if not all leaks in my one pipe system. Make up water has been reduced to very little (about a quart over 2 weeks of pretty cold weather here). So I'm in the situation where my boiler water is pretty dirty, likely from the make up water added in the past. Is there any option on getting the water cleaner without draining and flushing the system? Doesn't appear so, my plan once the heating season is over was to flush out the entire system including the inside of the boiler and return lines.

Would adding 8 Way be something done at the same time I replenish the system after flushing it down? BTW Peerless boiler replaced in late 2011.

Reddit can be good, but moderation is always a challenge everywhere on the internet. Here we are lucky to have Erin.

the Burnham Independence line seems to not be lasting as long as it once did decades ago and lots of people around here including me would be hesitant to install or recommend one today. I haven't seen a conclusive reason but my favorite theory is that they have changed the boiler castings perhaps to make them better at transferring heat in the name of increased efficiency, and their lifetime has been greatly shortened.

They also make what I think is called a "three-pass" design called the MegaSteam that is highly regarded (but is sold only as an oil-burning boiler). I have no direct experience with either product.

Yes! Mikey Pipes! I was a little uneasy with his advice on draining once a month to the point the low water shut off activates. He argues it cleans the water and you get a safety check all-in-one. What's the deal with Burnham steam boilers. I've seen people say they were trash on the message boards. Yet, I have also seen people say they were the best residential boilers?! Go figure. Do they make a great ones and crap ones depending on the model? Again… anyone can post anything. Hard to discern good from bad. Thank you for taking the time to reply.