I am in need of a new indoor wood burning furnace???

I have had an Energy King for years, only because I could not afford to replace it right after I bought it and they would not take it back. I cannot put up with it for another year. It is the worst furnace I have ever had. I have owned 5. The best was a Decton Russel but they are no longer made. The Energy King uses twice the wood of any other furnace and the chimney has to be cleaned every 3 weeks [MAX] I used the Russel 16 years and never cleaned the chimney and when we sold the house the inspector said the chimney was very clean.
I am now 74 and can no longer climb on the roof and clean my chimney. All that smoke plugging the chimney is fuel being wasted.
DOES ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS ON A GOOD FURNACE OR KNOW SOMEONE TO REBUILD MY RUSSEL?

 

Well, you already have my recommendation...a Kuuma.
I don't think you're going to find anything for that Russel...it's just too old, and heating people just don't want to mess with anything they aren't dealers for. If you do find one for sale it'll probably be halfway across the country...a risky trip for something 40-50 years old!
I know you didn't like the price of the Kuuma, and I think they have since gone up even more (steel prices!) so here's another option...there's a new uninstalled 2017 model just NW of here in Ohio for $5k, OBO...it has a bit of minor shipping damage (dent in sheet metal, easy to fix) but I'd grab that thing today!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BeyqMqoTR/
The only difference is that the new ones, since maybe '22, have all SS firebox, where all previously were partially SS, no big deal IMO, thousands of these things out there made of mild steel, no issues.
If you get it call Lamppa and update that machines address, so they can contact you if there was any reason to ever.
Probably not too many this time of year, but there are a bunch of happy Kuuma owners on FHC... yooperdave is one that might be on here today/this weekend...he had a smoke dragon forest eater previously too...

 

Have you searched "Russell wood furnace" on FB marketplace? I did and 3 came up...1 in Walker WV, one in Goshen OH, and one in Cambridge OH...not sure if it's the same one you have or not, but they all look kinda old/crusty...might have all the same issues as yours?
Edit, the one in Goshen says it was only used for 2 years...might be decent yet?
I'd still snag that Kuuma on FBMP though personally...sounds like he's looking for a reasonable offer on it...

 

That Kuuma for sale is gonna be gone by the time Jim Chandler checks back in here again...opportunities like this one come along too seldom to miss when they do show up...heck I went clear to Wisconsin for mine!
You (or anyone else) have his # walt?

 

brenndatomu bending over backwards to help a hoarder out!!

 

Indoor wood furnaces, recommendations


(This is the same request from Jan of this year.)

Sorry, but the price is now $1000 higher than it was back in Jan.


Beginning Monday, August 3, 2026, the factory-direct price will be $8,895.

 

Yup, I got rid of the energy king I had.....

 

Kuma has always been my fist choice but the price has kept me away. I have outlived my retirement

 

I have a Russel lined up between Zanesville and Cambridge but I think it is worn out like my old one

 

So that new unused 2017 model on marketplace is out then too...what if he took $4k?

 

If you can find an old Brunco scoop it up. Those and the Fire Cheifs are the best wood furnaces I've seen. Both have forced induction, overhead draft diverters. I like the cold air induction setup better on the cheifs. The brunco ash pan is superior and looks like it'd go a week between emptying. I see them now and again for sale but do not currently have any need. Zero epa gadgets on either unit.

 

Those are not bad old school burners, as long as you stick with the older Fire Chief models...the newer "EPA approved" models are a well-documented complete and udder disaster!! There is a good reason you see so many for sale that are 6 months old, or less) But if he is looking for a clean burn unit that you only need to check/clean your chimney once a year, these older models might not fit the bill...unless there is a pretty good heat load and they can be run pretty hard (shoulder season is still a PITA though!) Maybe would be one or two steps better than what he has now.

Did you check on that one that was listed in Goshen OH? Sounded like it was very low hours...and is probably the closest one for you too.

 

A friend has one of the big Firecheif units. He does get some sote, but thats mostly due to his crappy wet wood he feeds it. He could mitigate via forced induction but chooses not to because 'it makes the wood burn too fast'.

 

One like this but bigger is what my friend owns. It's impressively heavy where it matters. Don't care for the scoop type ash pans. Will take a 2' + split/round.

 

Yup, that's one of the old ones that were ok...

below is the new "EPA approved" (not really...turns out they scammed the test) FC1000E model best to RUN away from!!


I see FC still has the old models...they just call them "coal furnaces" now...skirting the EPA requirements. I just have a really bad taste in my mouth for anything from FC (HY-C) after how they did people with their "EPA furnaces"...junk junk junk!

 

That just looks all wrong.

 

The FC1000E? Apparently it is...most people HATE them! I personally know of exactly ONE person that gets along with his.
Early on they had a couple larger models too...they apparently just gave up on those...NLA.

 

I am picking up the Kuma this Sat.

 

Excellent