Pellet Stove Fuel Selection

Pellet stoves are designed to use plant based biofuel that are derived usually from discarded products such assaw dust, wood chips, even used pallets or other wood products that normally could be ending up in our landfills.. Small wood pellets compariable to what we link with rabbit food, The discarded products is squeezed into small wood pellets, similar to what we link with animal feed, to a size suitable for pellet stoves.

Pellet Stove fuel is available in two different grades of pellets.. The premium grade is the most common, producing up to 95 percent of the pellets produced, where as the standard grade makes up the balance which quite frequently is used in agriculture as animal bedding. To decrease jamming and or bridging from occurring in a pellet stove, manufactures attempt to meet the best grade standard for range. The most favorable deminsion is as a rule smaller then 1.5 inches long and better to be even smaller then 1 inch to avert bridging from occurring of the augar of the pellet stove where the pellets drop onto the auger. The best grade pellets will have no more them 1 percent ash content once the pellets are burned. High ash content is typically caused by an excessive amount of bark mixed with the pellet. If there is less bark the pellets will be lighter in color, e.g. very dark indicates a lot of bark, with little or no bark the pellets are very light in color. High grade pellet fuel can be made from both hard and soft wood. The type of wood that will be used will be determinedby the available source of wood that the pellet mill has available for their production process.

It normally is a good idea to try several manufactures of pellet fuel before making your finale pick to determine, which brand works best for your pellet stove. Before you purchase a large quanity of pellet for your winter supply. Different brands of pelletscan have different price tags. Often the less expensive pellets sometimes is a better value for your money, don't decide strickly on cost Do a visual on the pellets as you empty the sack into your the hopper of your pellet stove, be sure there is not a lot of loose saw dust in the bottom of the bag although some saw dust fines will be normal. Some pellet stoves do not feed these loose fines very good, nor do these loose fines create very much heat value as saw dust usually just turn into fly ash, means more intensive cleaning is essential to keep you pellet stove air flows from being reduced. Some consumers actually screen the loose saw dust out of the pellet to assure the pellet stove feeds correctly. Check to make sure the pellet fuel you are purchasing are compairable to or are premium grade, as this information should be listed on the bag. Most pellet fuel manufacturers belong to an organization called the Pellet Fuel Institute./p>

A not so uncommon question that is ask quite often, can my pellet stove burn corn kernels. The answer is yes maybe, but in a mixed corn / pellet mixture with the corn. Corn kernals generate more heat and is possible to shut off the stove, by tripping a saftey switch from the high heat from the corn, be cautious with high heat setting. Remains from the burnt corn has a lot of a clinker that areleft in the burn pot. Manual removal of the hard clinkers that have built will be necessary, usually with a scraper, causing frequent removal of the clinker then would be experienced with buildup from wood pellets. If these clinkers are not removed, air flows are disrupted and the pellet stove will not work correctly. almost all manufactures of pellet stoves do not recommend corn to be used in their appliances as they are aware of the likely problem the consumer may have. If corn is something that you need to try, commence with a limited quantity mixed thoroughly with your pellets. The rule of thumb is not to exceed a ratio of corn to pellet of 30 percent to 50 percent. You need to understand, why do I want to burn corn? There really is only two answers. First, if there is a shortage of pellets in my area. Second is the cost of corn a lotcheaper than pellets to warrant the extra work.

The use of a pellet stove can save you a lot of money for heating your home when compared to the use of normal gas or oil type of products or electrical heat. Always be sure that you follow the owners manual provided by the pellet appliance manufacturer for all operating instructions with regards to the periodic maintainance (recommendations. It is always prudent to purchase your pellet stove from a company that deals mainly in hearth appliances. Often they will advise you to call the manufacturer or a dealer of pellet stoves in your area. You should realize that a hearth stores or internet site that did not sell you the pellet stove has no responsibility or desire to help you. often, when you want the most advice and or help is during the main part to the heating season when the manufacture is experiencing their greatest call volume and very often will not respond to your call swiftly. Price is very important, but if your pellet stove does not work the way it is supposed to, or you have to hire a tecnition to repair or fix your stove, how much money did you save? When you are having a problem with your pellet stove, a good service technition can help walk you thru the problem, and have your stove back up and running in a quicker period of time..