Why Burn Wood Pellets?

If you’re thinking about adding a stove or fireplace insert to your home, give pellets serious consideration.  There are a lot of prudent reasons why pellets make sense and would be a good fit for your lifestyle.

BIOMASS FUELS:

Wood pellets are a biomass fuel.  Biomass fuels are renewable and sustainable.  Cordwood, wood pellets and chips, waste paper, corn, other agricultural products and other by-products used for energy are all examples of biomass fuels.

Wood pellets, as the name implies, are often made from wood waste such as wood chips, saw dust and scraps.  You might ask the question, “Why not just burn this wasted wood or other raw biomass materials?”  Reasons for processing pellets include standardization, that is, uniformity in moisture content, in size and shape, and in energy content and density.  There can be some differences between manufacturers, particularly in ash content, but this is mainly due to the quality of the raw biomass materials being used in production.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY:

Wood pellets are carbon neutral.  According to the Pellet Fuels Institute, when heating with a biomass fuel, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.  Trees will absorb this carbon dioxide in equal amounts as they grow.  This means that burning pellets does not increase the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) has regulated pellet stoves for many years.  The efficiency of most pellet stoves and inserts are in the 70% – 80% range.  They have extremely low particulate emissions due to their high burn efficiency and the density of the fuel.

And here’s a fun fact for you:  The Energy Information Administration says that one ton of wood pellets has the energy equivalency of 2.8 barrels of #2 fuel oil!

Pellets are ecological to burn. Why burn wood pellets?

THE PROCESS:

You might find it interesting how pellets are made.  First, the biomass fuel is screened to remove all foreign materials.  Stones and pebbles, nails and screws, plastics and other items can damage expensive equipment.  Any foreign objects need to be removed.

The next step in processing is hammering.  Any hard knots, hard packed sawdust or larger chunks of wood are pulverized into fibers.  Hammering the raw materials ensures a standard and consistent size so they can pass through the pellet processing equipment.

The next step is actually pelletizing these wood fibers.  Under extreme pressure, the fibers are heated up to 240°F – 265°F (120°C – 130°C).  The fibers are fed into a pellet mill that forces the material through small, uniform size holes in a metal die, about the diameter of a pencil, approximately ¼” (or 6.5 mm) in diameter.  As the wood fiber passes through this high pressure equipment, the resins in the wood fibers will act as a natural glue to bind the particles together.

Pellets are cut into ¾” – 1” lengths.  After the pellets cool, they are ready for packaging and shipping.

MOISTURE CONTENT:

The moisture content can vary in raw biomass materials from 20% – 60%.  Once pellets have been processed, the moisture content is between 4% – 10%.   Lower is better when it comes to moisture content in pellets.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

We’ve explained the environmental advantages.  But pellets are also very easy to use!  Open the storage bin and dump ‘em in!  Pellets come conveniently packaged in 40 lb. bags, much like salt for a water softener.  Most customers put 2 – 3 tons of pellets through their stove or insert each season.  A winter’s supply will take up an area about 6’ wide x 6’ deep x 6’ high, about 1/4th the space needed for an equivalent amount of cord word.  Just make sure you store pellets in dry corner of your garage, shed, utility room or basement.

Many customers who like the idea of burning a renewable fuel do not have quick and easy access to a wood supply.  Or they might not be equipped to burn cordwood . . . not enough time, no truck or trailer or chainsaw, etc.  Pellets are a terrific alternative.

Is burning wood pellets good? Why burn wood pellets?

ANY DISADVANTAGES?

OK, we’ve explained many of the advantages, but what about any disadvantages?  A couple points to contemplate.

The first is maintenance.  If you are the type of person that does not want to get your hands dirty, do not buy a pellet stove or insert.  Routine maintenance is absolutely critical for pellet equipment to perform as designed.  Be sure to follow the manufacturers maintenance steps outlined in the owner’s manual.  They will specify the how’s, why’s and when to perform regular maintenance on your insert or stove.  They might even recommend specific types or brands of pellets to use for best performance in their appliances.

If your electricity goes out for six hours every time the wind blows more than 10 mph, a pellet stove might not be your best choice.  There are two or three small electric motors that run augers and fans that rely on house current to operate.  If the power goes out, you’re out of business.  However, there’s good news on this issue.  There seem to be more manufacturers making battery back-up systems for pellet stoves to avoid this scenario.

SO BACK TO THE QUESTION AT HAND:

Why should I burn wood pellets?  Let’s summarize with these bullet points.

  • Pellets are made from recycled and renewable biomass materials.
  • Pellets are convenient, clean and easy to handle and store.
  • Pellets are environmentally friendly and carbon neutral.
  • Pellets have greater energy and high combustion efficiency because of low moisture content.
  • Pellet fuel has low emissions and that means cleaner air.

Your WE LOVE FIRE expert is ready to show you some great performing and terrific looking pellet stoves and inserts.  Meanwhile, get your other pellet questions answered here.

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service California (CA)

Anaheim, CA

Embers West Inc.
1201 E Ball Rd
Anaheim, CA 92805

Embers West Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Carlsbad, CA

AMS Fireplaces Inc
2864 Whiptail Loop East,
Carlsbad, CA 92010

AMS Fireplaces Inc LogoVisit Store Page

Elk Grove, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
9097 Elk Grove Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95624

Custom Fireside Shops LogoVisit Store Page

Jackson, CA

Sierra Hearth & Home, Inc.
619-B South Hwy 49
Jackson, CA 95642

Sierra Hearth & Home, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Loomis, CA

Valley Stove & Chimney Inc.
3129 Swetzer Road
Loomis, CA 95650

Valley Stove & Chimney Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Placerville, CA

Sierra Home Alternatives, Inc.
237 Placerville Drive
Placerville, CA 95667

Sierra Home Alternatives, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Quincy, CA

QUINCY HOT SPOT
2019 East Main St.
Quincy, CA 95971

Sacramento, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
5455 Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95841

Custom Fireside Shops LogoVisit Store Page

Sacramento,, CA

Den Defenders
9912 Business Park Dr
Sacramento,, CA 95827

San Luis Obispo, CA

Forden's
3540 Sacramento Drive
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Forden's LogoVisit Store Page

Santa Cruz, CA

Woodstove & Sun, Inc.
510 Soquel Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Santa Rosa, CA

Warming Trends, Inc.
#4 South A Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Sonora, CA

Foothill Fireplace, Pools and Spas
18677 Eagle Ridge
Sonora, CA 95370

Foothill Fireplace, Pools and Spas LogoVisit Store Page

Stockton, CA

Den Defenders
1401 W Fremont
Stockton, CA 95203

Templeton, CA

Forden's
507 N. Main Street
Templeton, CA 93465

Forden's LogoVisit Store Page

For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

1 Response

  1. What burns cleaner, wood or pellets? - We Love Fire
    […] the other hand, pellets are a manufactured fuel. Since the moisture content is strictly controlled, there is very little ash compared to a […]
  2. Paul limanek
    Seems everybody makes pellets, and they all advertise "premium" , but the only thing premium is the price. With so many adding vegetable oil or sodium to the sawdust ,burn quality is reduced.I have been burning pellets for over 15 years and quality has gone down but the price goes up. Living here in western N.C. pellets are hard to come by, not like in New England. Pellets using now are "hardwood" but are green in color. never saw hardwood that is green Be careful when buying,try 2 or 3 bags before buying 2 0r 3 tons

Leave a comment