Tell me all about it.

Harvey Ramer

This copper tank. I just removed it from a basement. It was installed vertically and plumbed inline prior to the electric water heater.

Steamhead

That's called a "range boiler", and it used to be fed with either a side-arm heater on a boiler or a coil in a stove. Hot water thus generated was stored in the tank.

They may be using it as a tempering tank now, for incoming water to warm up a bit before it hits the WH.

Harvey Ramer

I haven't checked it out closely yet. I assume it's not insulated or anything?
I have a notion of cleaning it up and putting it in my shop. I think it would make a dandy radiator.

EBEBRATT-Ed

What @Steamhead said. Used to see them in old kitchens connected to the stoves. My grandfather had something like that heated by some type of kerosene heater that stored the kero in a glass bottle. My father was convinced they would break the bottle and burn the house down.

Jamie Hall

Had a setup like that in the place I care for (it's been gone many years now). It was heated from a coil in the wood/coal stove (a Glenwood) which was used for cooking. I can't for the life of me figure out how anyone could stand cooking in a kitchen on a day like today (85 and 90 percent humidity) with a coal stove going... but they did.

STEVEusaPA

Jamie Hall said:

Had a setup like that in the place I care for (it's been gone many years now). It was heated from a coil in the wood/coal stove (a Glenwood) which was used for cooking. I can't for the life of me figure out how anyone could stand cooking in a kitchen on a day like today (85 and 90 percent humidity) with a coal stove going... but they did.

And they were dressed head to toe to boot!
Reminds me of those old pics of people on the boardwalk in 3 piece suits-90+ degrees, high humidity...

ChrisJ

I've got the heater from a wood stove if you want a matching set.

HVACNUT

I know we sometimes get sentimental about the older equipment, controls, burners, etc. but I would go straight to the scrap yard with that to ease the burden in my wallet.
Did I just commit heating blasphemy?

Steve Minnich

@HVACNUT - I went to the scrap yard with two 55 gallon drums of scrap copper yesterday. Cha-ching.

KC_Jones

I must polish all that copper....it's calling my name. @ChrisJ

ChrisJ

> @KC_Jones said:
> I must polish all that copper....it's calling my name. @ChrisJ

The stove attachment I have is cast iron or something. Not copper.

KC_Jones

I was referring to the tank posted by the OP, I only tagged you for the funny about polishing.

Now if you want to challenge me to polish cast iron I will accept that challenge.

GBart

I saw on in a basement standing up on a stand, below it was a gas burner, when you wanted hot water you went down, struck a match and lit the burner, in a little while you had hot water, then hopefully you didn't forget to go back down and shut it off.