In principle you can burn wood in a pellet stove and also use wood pellets in a wood stove, but in what form is this possible? There are a few important factors to consider during the burning process in order to produce optimal heating energy and not waste solid fuel. Typically, pellet stoves can only burn pellets of a certain size, depending on the stove model. In addition, the use of wood in such stoves must have a certain consistency in terms of energy input and the way it is supplied to a fire. To learn more about this, below is some useful information to help you use fuel sustainably.
Pellet stoves are an interesting form of fireplace and are considered solid fuel appliances. This means they produce heat by burning solid fuel with real flames. One of the materials used as fuel for pellet stoves can also be wood. It is often in the form of wood chips, but traditional wood stoves use logs as a fuel source. So what wood can be burned in pellet stoves? You can do conventionalFirewood for heatingDo not burn in a pellet stove, neither in the form of logs nor in the form of kindling. Normally, pellet stoves should only work with wood pellets, which are a certain size depending on the stove model. However, wood is one of the main materials that make up a pellet for use in a pellet stove.
Pellet stoves still burn wood as a material, but the fuel must be of a specific type and consistency. This is because pellet stoves work differently than wood stoves. This applies in particular to the type of fuel and the burning process. In some forms you can burn wood in a pellet stove, but not with traditional means such as kindling and logs. As the name suggests, pellet stoves burn fuel in the form of wood pellets. Such wood pellet stoves still produce heat from wood in the same way a wood stove uses the material to produce heating energy.
Possible fuels for pellet stoves
Although pellet stoves are technically a form of wood-burning solid fuel appliance like a wood stove, firewood logs or even small pieces of kindling cannot be used in them in the usual way. Wood pellets are a compressed form of material that is usually sold in bags of a certain weight. These can be made of different materials, but the main material is wood. There is also thatPossibility to make your own wood pelletsby making them from sawdust, shavings or other wood scraps using a pellet press. This gives a pellet a certain size and shape.
So why can'ttraditionally stored firewooddifficult to use in a pellet stove? The main reasons why kindling or logs, such as those used in wood-burning stoves, are not suitable for pellet stoves include:
- The combustion chamber is too small.
- Pellet stoves automatically add fuel to the fire and require it in a specific and consistent size.
- The solid fuel must be stored in a hopper to be burned. You cannot add fuel to the stove by opening the door.
- A motorized screw, which can only hold a certain size of fuel, conveys the wood pellets into the combustion chamber.
Optimal use of energy with pellet stoves
Additionally, pellet stoves are electronic devices that require electricity to function. They have a number of electronic components that all work together from a central control panel to automatically add fuel to the fire in the form of pellets. The stove adjusts itself how often it sends fuel into the combustion chamber based on information from a series of sensors. This ensures that the optimal amount of heat is generated and the fuel is burned as efficiently as possible. The combustion chamber of a pellet stove is typically much smaller and takes up much less space on a pellet stove than a traditional wood stove.
A pellet stove is still able to generate large amounts of heat from so little fuel. This is because the pellets, even with minimal moisture content, are compressed. This means you can burn wood in a pellet stove and store a lot of energy in a small area. This energy is then converted into heat. Additionally, fuel in the form of pellets must be delivered into the combustion chamber of a pellet stove through an automated delivery system using an internal storage area known as a hopper and an auger to provide optimal energy utilization. It would therefore not be possible to use traditional firewood in the form of logs with such a system.
Can you burn pellets in a wood stove?
Wood pellets can be burned in a fireplace, fire pit, or wood stove, but they are not easy to light. A good option is to cover a small pile of wood pellets with lighter fluid and light it. Once they catch the flame they burn pretty well. However, you should make sure that there are enough pellets to maintain a nice heat. Surprisingly, wood pellets actually burn better than wood because they are denser. However, if wood pellets are even slightly damp, they are very difficult to light in an open fireplace or fire pit.
With a suitable basket you can easily experience the benefits of burning wood pellets, with 6 to 8kg should be enough for one load. Accordingly, the pellets can be easily lit with a firelighter and some lamp oil. Once lit, the lot will burn for 3 to 4 hours depending on the oxygen supply to the wood stove or fire pit. The wood pellets burn very cleanly and economically in a fireplace or wood stove. Solid fuel can therefore be a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to firewood. By using pellets, you can also heat in a completely CO₂-neutral way. Here is a quick guide to illustrate the process.
Follow simple steps and use wood pellets in the wood stove
- To use pellets in a wood stove or fire pit, you may also need logs.
- Prepare the logs and separate them from each other.
- Load each log with pellets after the strands are removed.
- Remove any other combustible materials from the area and ensure the surface is level.
- Set wood pellets to light the fire and arrange them on the supports so that air can circulate around them.
- Start the fire and let it burn for a while. The wood pellets are lit and begin to burn.
The wood pellets in the stove or fireplace logs allow for complete burning, leaving no coals and little ash that can pose a fire hazard if left unattended. After the logs have cooled, any remaining ash should be removed before the next batch is used. Due to their manufacturing process and materials used, wood pellets are also a good source of energy for wood stove cooking.
Also read:“LIGHTING THE FIREPLACE PROPERLY: USING SIMPLE METHODS AND CONSIDER IMPORTANT FACTORS”
