Gravity fed oil stove for back up & supplemental heat source-suggestions?

catia1313

Purchased a rural home with a great hearth, in the basement, which used to be the original house. It already has a wood/coal stove, but has not been used for 20 yrs. Chimney is in the center of the house. All chimney cleaning/lining-whatever is needed will be done by a chimney sweep.

We want a reliable, simple to use non-electric heat source for when we loose power, which happens, according to the neighbors 1-2 times per year & lasts usually just a day or so, but has lasted up to 2 weeks before.

We are wanting to not have to chop wood, right now. We are post 50 yrs, & just need something easier in the even of an emergency.

We have access to a couple of older gravity fed oil stoves, Efel & Franco Belge, that have been left unused for many years, & are in decent condition.
I've looked at new Kuma's but they are PRICEY, & it is the same basic technology.

We do have wicked kerosene heaters, but if we need to go a few days to a couple of weeks, I want a chimney vented system with a fresh air intake for combustion air, plus I don't want to stink up the house.

Anyone here have any experience or tips for the gravity fed oil stoves?

Jamie Hall

Obsolete technology, but... if they are in very good condition, and maintained meticulously, they are fine. However, you fire marshal may disagree. In any event, you should -- for your safety -- have a Fireomatic shutoff valve on the oil feed line. They don't take electricity -- just a fusible link -- and they will shut off the oil supply if anything gets too hot (like a fire...).

catia1313

I agree with having a safety shut off definitely-never saw one on any oil stove or furnace, in my lifetime-but now since I know I'm glad to know I can get one.

Kuma & Nestor Martin still sell in the USA, pretty sure Franco Belge is going strong across the pond & sometimes imported here. I am questioning what you mean by obsolete technology? Is there a better type of technology for an oil stove that is both vented to a chimney and does not require electricity? I'm here to learn.

Big Ed_4

Safety features would be a concern running an old Kelly pot .

Jamie Hall

What I meant by obsolete technology is that there is no really good way to regulate the fuel/air mix ration, and so the combustion efficiency may -- or may not -- be quite what one would want. I did NOT mean to imply that it didn't work or was inherently unsafe or anything like that!

Big Ed_4

I went to the Kuma website , it showed a nice fire .. The units I worked on are the old cold water flat models. They all use heat to vaporize the oil for combustion . Being an old oil guy, they do scare me .