1920's Birchfield Steam Boiler

Tom Gates

I have a home in central Washington that was built in the late 1920's and we still have the original heating, a Birchfield steam boiler. Originally coal, then heating oil, and now gas. I found a link to a Birchfield company in Tacoma Washington that also made military and fishing boats but didn't know if this was the maker of my boiler. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks Tom

Tom Gates

History wanted

I have a home in central Washington that was built in the late 1920's and we still have the original heating, a Birchfield steam boiler. Originally coal, then heating oil, and now gas. I found a link to a Birchfield company in Tacoma Washington that also made military and fishing boats but didn't know if this was the maker of my boiler. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks Tom

Paul Pollets

Birchfield

made cast iron, steel tube and steel scotch marine boilers in Tacoma. They went out of business in the early 60's. Many of their boilers are still working in the greater NW. I replace them often with a new high-efficiency boiler and control that inevitably drops yearly fuel costs by 20-30%.

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Dennis

Now, now Paul

Somes times we must all give something up to keep history alive. A 30% savings on ones fuel bill may not be the best thing when you think of the historical loss to this persons home and the community at large. If we were not all selfish, model T Fords would not be collectors items, they'd be in our driveways.

Ron Schroeder

Dennis

You are correct, and I could still go out in the morning and make that car run without calling a tow truck

tim smith

birchfield

As Paul said, there are many Birchfields still out there, They still get repaired over and over again as they are steel and can be welded by approved methods. I met the great grandson or nephew, (I don't remember for sure) with the same last name just by chance. He was the head of maintenance at Seattle Childrens home. When I met him,while working on there boiler, I asked are you related to the Birchfield boiler family, and yes he was. I like the old Birchfields but as Paul said, there are some efficiencies in upgrading the old beasts to new boilers with less mass and better combustion processes available today.