An outdoor boiler has many names. Some call them an outdoor furnace, while others call them outdoor stoves. Some burn wood some burn corn others are multifueled. Some have shaker grates and augers and some have a smooth barrel in a barrel.

The typical outdoor boiler looks like a small utility shed with a short smoke stack. In reality, the shed protects a water-jacketed firebox where fires burn at approximately 1000 degrees F. The combustion in the firebox heats the water reservoir, which is then pumped to the house, shop, swimming pool or any application that requires heat. The hot water is transferred to the home through underground-insulated pipes.

The boiler is often located 50 feet or more away from the home or buildings for insurance purposes. Outdoor boilers are usually seen in rural or remote parts of the country where wood or corn are plentiful.

Outdoor boilers can burn clean if you burn well seasoned wood. Green or wet wood will create more smoke. If you are going to burn your trash be kind to your neighbors and burn it while everyone is at work. Burn your well-seasoned wood in the evenings when neighbors are home they will like you more. Rubber tires should never be burnt in an outdoor boiler because they are not good for the environment.

There are a number of manufacturers that are beginning to invest in cleaner technologies, although the availability of these improvements may be a while in coming.

A typical outdoor boiler installation often costs between $5,000 - $8,000 including installation.

Several of the more popular outdoor wood boilers include: