Pellet Stove Inserts

What To Look For In Pellet Stove Inserts

Pellet stoves are becoming more and more popular as a reliable, effective, and less expensive way of staying warm in the colder months. A pellet stove insert is a fireplace insert that burns compressed wood or biomass fuel - most commonly corn. A constant flame is created that requires almost no physical adjustments by the pellets being slowly fed from a storage container, known as a hopper, into a burn-pot area.

Although pellet stove inserts don't give off the same radiating heat as a wood-burning fireplace, it is much more fuel-efficient and also doesn’t allow heat to escape through the chimney. The glass door of the pellet insert prevents this type of heat loss.

A chimney is not required for a stove insert. You can make use of what is known of as a “zero clearance” option. The insert can be installed into a renovation situation, which basically means building a false fireplace in a room, or new construction on the outside of the house, also known as a “chase”. In essence, what is being created is a sort of cupboard built specifically to encase the insert.

Just make sure the chase has enough clearance to allow access for maintenance and vent cleaning.

Once this is done, the normal process of venting can go ahead for the pellet stove.

You have a choice between the typical freestanding stove or a stove insert. Once you have decided on an insert, you can then move on to which manufacturer and model is going to best suit you needs.

If you get online and read some of the written reviews from places like Epinions.com and HomeDepot.com, you'll notice the names of Harman and Quadra Fire coming up over and over on most recommended lists of best pellet stoves. Both of these brands have a solid reputation for the quality and durability of their inserts.

How much total area you plan to heat is a primary consideration when considering which pellet stove insert to purchase. You should be aware that these types of stoves are better suited to heat open floor plans. Even then, you need to make sure the stove is centrally located.