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Types of Pellet Stoves

Pellet-burning appliances are simpler to operate and more convenient than other wood-burning appliances. In fact, they are almost as easy to use as gas, oil, or electric heaters. These stoves and inserts burn wood pellets–compressed wood which resembles rabbit food.

Pellet stoves generally range in price from $1700 to $3300, depending the quality and features of the stove. Installation costs are relatively low, usually ranging from $350 to $550, because the stoves require a simple 3″-4″ venting system (not a chimney). Many stoves can be vented horizontally, directly through an outside wall – no special materials on the surrounding walls are required. Here’s a quick sampling of different brands of pellet stoves.

Flick-now the owner, with husband Ron, of Heavenly Hearth in Amelia, Ohio-may be an extreme example, but a lot of homeowners share her enthusiasm. Perhaps it’s because of the energy savings these stoves provide, or the fact that they offer an eco-friendly heating option. Fueled by pellets made from recycled, super-compressed sawdust, they not only conserve trees, they also burn hotter and cleaner than conventional woodstoves or fireplaces, producing minimal smoke and ash.

According to retailers, sales of pellet stoves are, dare we say it, on fire. The Washington, D.C. based Pellet Fuels Institute says around 67,000 of them were sold to U.S. homeowners in 2004; 118,000 in 2005; and about 200,000 are projected to sell this winter. “This is definitely going to be the year for them.

When purchasing a pellet stove you must look for quality if you’re looking for a stove that will last. Stoves made from real thin metal obviously won’t last long. But be aware that some of these stoves have electrical components that control the rate the pellets are released into the stove by gauging the temperature or on a timed cycle.

Now that we’ve told you all of the advantages of pellet stoves, there’s something else you should know. Last year, some people had a heck of a time finding pellets. Even our secret-source-savvy editor in chief, Scott Omelianuk, couldn’t track them down, resorting to tossing in dried feed corn, little bits of dowels, and scraps of cedar shingles. (Ed. note: The only thing you can burn in one of these is pellets.)

Burning wood with a pellet stove or insert is usually convenient, neat and safe. These devices usually don’t require refueling more than once a day and the fuel is compressed and bagged for clean and easy storage and handling. Pellet stoves produce virtually no smoke, and produce less odor than other wood-burning appliances. Moreover, the exteriors of these appliances are not used for radiating heat and stay relatively cool, preventing you from burning yourself if you accidentally touch the stove.

Pellet stoves require certified double walled venting, normally three or four inches in diameter with a stainless steel interior and galvanized exterior. Because pellet stoves have a forced exhaust system, they do not usually require a vertical rise to vent, although a three to five foot vertical run is recommended to prevent leakage in the case of a power outage. Like a modern gas appliance, pellet stoves can be vented horizontally through an outside wall and terminated below the roof line, making it an excellent choice for structures without an existing chimney. If an existing chimney is available, manufacturers urge use of a correctly sized stainless steel liner the length of the chimney for proper drafting.

© 2009 Finding Who We Are.