A pellet stove is a free- standing stove that burns solid fuel. They can be found in three basic categories.
- Pellet Stoves - burn pellets formed of compressed sawdust
- Wood Stoves - burn logs
- Multi-Fuel Stoves - burn pellets, both pellets and corn, or corn alone.
Because pellet stoves require two fans, they are the noisiest class of heating stove. But they are offer the advantages of being the most convenient and don't create nearly the amount of mess, depending on how large the hopper is. They also may not need to be filled everyday. They are extremely convenient when equipped with a thermostat and automatic start. Remote-control and wall thermostats are now also available.
Pellet stoves work by convection. For that reason, they lack the brilliant heat that is so soothing in most wood stoves. But because they work by convection, they can be placed just inches away from the wall and are safer for pets and children.
Pellet stoves are more expensive than wood stoves and professional installation is highly recommended. The upfront costs are offset by the fact that pellet stoves don't require an insulated chimney. Rather, they only require a 3-inch pipe.
You can find pellets in 40-pound bags. Unlike logs, pellets must be kept dry and therefore should not be stored outside exposed to elements. This is one the major drawbacks of pellet stoves.
A pallet contains one ton - or 50 bags of pellets. Rodents and insects may be attracted to this in your storage shed.
Pellet stoves also require electricity to keep the fire burning. This will require an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) or portable generator as backup unless you purchase a model that includes a backup battery.
The drawback that may cause the biggest concern is the availability of the pellets themselves. The supply of which depends on the state of the housing market. This will determine the price. Because pellets are a secondary product derived from the lumber industry, when demand for lumber decreases - as with the state of the current new housing construction market - less pellets are available for consumption. The situation may get worse before it gets better as more people purchase pellet stoves.
Customer Reviews
In customer reviews, 20 plus different brands of pellet stoves earned a minimum of one recommendation. Each of these brands makes a variety of pellet stoves. However, two brands stood out above the rest and earned the most recommendations for best pellet stoves. These two brands are Harman and Quadra-Fire.
Each of the brands makes a full range of stoves. Some burn only wood pellets, some only corn, and then added to these are multi-fuel stoves that burn a variety of biomass fuels.
Quadra-Fire Sante Fe
The estimated cost of this stove is $2300. It provides up to 34,400 BTU per hour and is rated up to 1,500 square feet. It is fully automatic and ideal for a mobile home. It displays an overall modern design.
It is self-igniting and comes with a thermostat that allows the user to choose one of three settings to keep the temperature constant. The heat is adjusted by how frequentlty the internal auger feeds pellets from the 40-pound hopper.
An extra option is a programmable wall thermostat. This allows the user to program different settings of heat for various time periods. This can be done for up to a week in advance.
A remote-control thermostat and optional log kit is also available. The log kit gives the fire a more inviting and appealing look through the glass window. This window is "air washed" to maintain a clear view.
A kit is also available that enable the stove to burn outside air only. Experts highly recommend this option.
There are a few drawbacks. Like almost all pellet stoves, the unit is loud. You can expect to hear the sound of the fans and every pellet as they drop. The automatic start-up occasionally refuses to work and has to be reset. And the auger feed can become jammed.
But the unit carries a lifetime warranty, which is a huge advantage.
Harman XXV
The Harman pellet stove is designed for a larger space. This 50,000 BTU unit is rated for up to 1,700 square feet and costs about $3,000. Harman claims it is the quietest pellet stove they make. The design is more traditional and classic than that of the Quadra-Fire Santa Fe. It will burn any grade of pellet and has a larger 65-pound hopper.
This Old House and Kiplingers Personal Finance have both recommended this as one of the best pellet stoves available.
Best Pellet Stoves - Other Recommendations
Thelin, Lennox Hearth, Jamestown, and Whitfield are other brands of pellet stoves that received more than one recommendation from reviewers.
The Jamestown J2000
The stove costs about $3,250 and is rated for up to 45,500 BTU. A drawback is that it only has a 58-pound hopper. However, a hopper extension is available to provide more time before refueling.
A backup battery is also not included. But because its fans require no more than 3.5 amps, it is easily powered by a portable generator in case of an electrical outage.
The Lenox Hearth Whitfield Profile 30 FS-2
This unit retails for $3,040 and includes a programmable thermostat. It also comes with an extra-large ash pan that the manufacturer claims only needs to be emptied 2 to 3 times per year. This feature goes a long way toward satisfying complaints from owners of budget pellet stoves about ash trays that proved much too small to be considered practical.
The unit comes with a 55-pound hopper is rated for up to 38,000 BTU.
It also has a 20 year warranty.
Thelin Little Gnome
This unit is one of the best pellet stoves designed to heat one room, or up to 750 square feet. It sells for $2,700 and features the old fashioned pot belly shape, but with decorative trim.
In case of an electrical outage, the backup battery will keep the unit running for up to 15 hours. And a 26-pound hopper makes it possible to go 20 hours without having to refuel.
It carries a 5-year warranty, but moving and electrical parts are only covered for one year.
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