Pellet woodstoves- big problem question (insurance, home, live in)

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by Rivertowntalk

If it is like wood stove pipe, you want a straight shot pipe, if possible, that is insulated and not too long of a run. The hotter you can keep the smoke as it exits, the better it will draw. This will result in less pipe condensation.

A pellet stove is a wood stove. The pellets are manufactured wood. They probably add sodium and sugar just like food.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by maineborzoi

I do not have- nor would I have- a pellet stove. They need power to run, but a woodstove does not. However- I felt awful for her when she was talking about how they had to have their windows open for almost an hour to get the smoke out of the house- and it was raining- so the windows etc all got wet- ... All due to the fact the sudden powerloss closed the pellet stove- making burning pellets- with no vent...

That doesn't seem right to me... Are there emergency damper controls for ones wit pellet stoves ???

If you're going to have a fire burning device why opt for a pellet stove when you can just put in a wood stove? I don't get it.

We heat with wood exclusively and wouldn't trade it for the world. If the electricity goes out we wouldn't even notice.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

If you're going to have a fire burning device why opt for a pellet stove when you can just put in a wood stove? I don't get it.

We heat with wood exclusively and wouldn't trade it for the world. If the electricity goes out we wouldn't even notice.

I think both wood stoves and pellet stoves have their own advantages. So far as I know:

Wood Stoves

• Cheaper fuel
• Runs without electricity
• Prettier/more traditional fire

Pellet Stoves

• Self-regulating room temperature with thermostat
• Self-feeding via hopper and motorized auger
• Less creosote deposition in stovepipe
• Less ash to clean out
• Cleaner burning/less smoke
• Fuel easier to handle

[seasallyttle]

We have both a pellet stove and a wood stove in different parts of the house. We only use the wood stove. The wood stove is a work horse and heats most of the house and puts off a great heat. Pellet stoves are more of a pain than they are worth, imo. They use electricity, they break, you have to buy those weird pellets which technically are wood but compressed wood dust. Not for us.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

If you're going to have a fire burning device why opt for a pellet stove when you can just put in a wood stove? I don't get it.

We heat with wood exclusively and wouldn't trade it for the world. If the electricity goes out we wouldn't even notice.

Yup...I wouldn't trade mine at all. I like real fires. Just something more cozy about that. In fact I'm looking to go bigger now.

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

I think both wood stoves and pellet stoves have their own advantages.

IMO the advantages of a wood stove out weigh those of a Pellet but it all comes down to personal preference. One might say wood is too dirty to bring inside or they are too old to carry in so that would be an advantage to Pellets. Me, bringing wood inside and sweeping the floor once a week isn't a big deal.


With the way Maine's weather is, you want something reliable and puts out great heat and wont keep costing you money to buy the fuel.

[GreenGene]

Originally Posted by Cambium

IMO the advantages of a wood stove out weigh those of a Pellet but it all comes down to personal preference.

I agree with you ... it's personal preference. This thread reminds me of a Chevy/Ford argument. The best answer is whatever works best for *you*.

When we moved into this house, it had neither a wood stove nor a pellet stove. We could have gone in either direction, but I was definitely going to have a second source of heat. And maybe it's the memories I have as a young kid whose job it was while on vacation in Maine - on particularly chilly summer/almost fall mornings on Maranacook - to haul in some firewood and gather up some kindling (and go up the hill and get some water from the well while you're at it) ... ah, the memories. Anyway, I thought I'd give pellets a try. And I've been really happy with them.

Your mileage may vary.

[7th generation]

I remember the fire in 2009 that consumed the pellet manufacturer in Ashland. At the time I believe there were only 2 plants in the state. We had a cold winter that year and friends were going to NH and loading up with tons of pellets and reselling them in Maine. They made some serious cash. From what I've heard, Canadian pellets are much better, but I don't know if that still holds true.

[slyfox2]

I heard of a grating system you can use to burn pellets in a woodstove. They are sort of like coal so you have to generate a good fire to start and then provide air from the underneath the pellets.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by GreenGene

I agree with you ... it's personal preference. This thread reminds me of a Chevy/Ford argument. The best answer is whatever works best for *you*.

When we moved into this house, it had neither a wood stove nor a pellet stove. We could have gone in either direction, but I was definitely going to have a second source of heat. And maybe it's the memories I have as a young kid whose job it was while on vacation in Maine - on particularly chilly summer/almost fall mornings on Maranacook - to haul in some firewood and gather up some kindling (and go up the hill and get some water from the well while you're at it) ... ah, the memories. Anyway, I thought I'd give pellets a try. And I've been really happy with them.

Your mileage may vary.

GreenGene - how often do you need to dump the ash, clean the burn pot on that Harmon stove?

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

GreenGene - how often do you need to dump the ash, clean the burn pot on that Harmon stove?

In my PACIFIC ENERGY, which is about the biggest stove they make, I need to dump the ash every 3 weeks or so during the winter. It actually burns hotter and better at low than at high.