Cast Iron Radiator Replacement

Brad White

The Steam Radiator Co. makes excellent products but as Steamhead said, they are steel, thermodynamically different than cast iron. Fine products if all the radiators are of the same material/type. You will feel cold in that room between cycles.

I contacted Steam Radiator (a Runtal cousin company) on one job in particular where the owner wanted to use these in her apartment, replacing all her CI. Of course the rest of the building was on cast iron so this was a no-go.

The company they told me that these are compatible with cast iron but could not back that up; it might be true on district steam with individual control and constant presence but not on one-pipe cycling steam.

Stick with cast iron, find out why she failed.

Drew S.

Cast Iron Radiator Replacement

We have a 1 pipe steam system and our bedroom radiator has been leaking throughout the heating season from two of the sections. I consulted a plumbing and heating contractor with steam installation experience and there was not good news.

I would like to replace the radiator (old Burnham Fero) with the attached radiator from a company called Steam Radiator. Has anyone had any experience installing/promoting this type of radiator for a one pipe steam system?

Also, how do I size the new radiator? The existing Fero radiator has an EDR of 3 sqft of steam per section, with a total of 12 sections. How do you convert from square feet of steam to BTUH?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Steamhead (in transit)

The Charleston is a steel radiator

not cast-iron, and its thermal behavior is quite different. Steel heats up rapidly but cools just as quickly, whereas cast-iron holds its heat longer. So if you use the Charleston, you might be chilly.

I suspect the push nipples in the Fero rad are rotting out. These can be replaced, I think Oneida County Boiler Works makes them.

My question is, why did the nipples rot out? I bet you have an acid-condensate problem, which can be caused by inadequate main venting. See chapter 8 of "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" for details.

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Drew S.

Recommendations for where to purchase a CI Radiator

Thanks for the great info. Can you recommend quality Manufacturer for Cast Iron Radiators. I know Burnham still makes them, but to get a radiator with the same output the dimension (height and length) don't seem to work out. They either seem longer than the existing radiator or longer than the exisitng, conflicting with the window stool trim or placing the radiator off center under the window.

Again, thanks for any advice you can pass my way.

Eric Johnson

used?

There are some good sources for refurbished, used ci radiators. There's one in Boston that has just about anything you could want, as I recall. I think they pressure test them, sandblast and paint them. Don't know the web addy, but I'll bet somebody around here does.

EDIT: Here's the link:

http://www.antiqueplumbingandradiators.com/