I've burned a little coal in an air tight wood burning stove back in the early 80s --- I had a little iron canister built with legs on it that I placed in the middle of the wood stove --- I'd build a roaring wood fire and put a few pieces in the canister.

The only reason why I did because my landlord got free or bought some coal from one of his cattle contacts, so it was free to me.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

It's also on the short list. However, after reading the experiences of those that have procured them, they appear to be electronic nightmares and quite poorly constructed. You pay $4-5K for the privilege of saving $800 per year in fuel and the ongoing service calls to support them eats up most of it.

The heavy and durable cast iron boilers of old are gone and their replacements leave quite a bit to be desired. There were some folks who had to replace the unit after only four years. The support from the manufacturer to the consumer is non-existent.

You are absolutely correct in your assessment of the new high efficiency boilers! Furnaces are just as bad, but better in the 90% efficiency range than the 94% and up units.

You might check out: Utica Boilers | Products: Gas Boilers | MGB
These don't appear to be the super high efficiency variety but I would bet that they are all they say they are. We have installed only Utica cast iron boilers in our multi-unit buildings since the 1980's. All of ours are oil fired but absolutely trouble free and easy to service. Best of all they are 2/3 the price, quieter, and less (electronic) maintenance than a Weil-McClain.

Jim

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2005 C240 4matic wagon (daily driver)
87 190D - 225K (on loan)
85 190D - 312K (on loan)
2011 Subaru Legacy AWD (Wife's)