Pellet Stove Burning Results Can Change Depending On The Stove

One of the common misconceptions is to think pretty much all pellet stoves have the same burn performance, as this simply isn't the case. How well a pellet stove performs during burning is influences by the features and design of the stove and also by the type and grade of fuel used in the wood pellet stove.

The burn pot and pellet feed system are key areas to focus on. The problem is cheaper stoves generally use a design referred to as the drop down burn pot. How this system works is the pellets are collected from the base of the hopper and carried up an auger feed. Once the pellets reach the top of the auger, they are then dropped down into the burn pot. Once in the burn pot the fire is started either manually or via a hot air igniter, more pellets are dropped onto the fire to build temperature. However this design is very limited when it comes to dealing with ash from other grades of fuel pellets, and causes a build up in the burn pot.

What Type Of Wood Pellet Stove Burn Pot Should You Look For Then?

So its clear that if you purchase a pellet stove with a drop down burn pot, at some point you are going to have issues with ash build up or maybe even a clinker forming in the burn pot. So the question is then, what burn pot in a pellet stove or boiler should you be looking for? Well there are many other designs of burn pot, however the general principle behind the best, is a forced fed system. Instead of the pellets simply been dropped into the burn pot. You want a pellet stove which forces in new pellets and at the same time pushes out of the burn pot the ash which built up and any possible clinker formations.

There are a few brands of pellet stove which use forced pellet stove designs such as Harman and Breckwell. The designs of the burn pot do change in the exact details and design, however the core principle remains the same. With premium grade pellets a forced burn pot design may not be necessary, however to burn other grades of wood and biomass pellets it is much proffered.

What Types Of Wood and Biomass Pellets Need A Forced Burn Pot?

As stated, premium wood pellets do not actually need a forced burn pot system in principle, however in reality it can be quite different. If the premium wood pellets always produced the stated ash content, a drop down burn pot would be able to handle the ash. However occasionally the ash content will raise, and go beyond the capabilities of the drop down. When this happens the burn pot can become obstructed. It's also worth noting premium wood pellets are by far the most expensive, so purchasing a pellet stove or boiler with a drop down really limits your options and choice of fuel. Also, as other grades of wood pellets and biomass become more available, only forced systems will be able to use them.

Become An Educated Consumer With PelHeat Wood Pellet Stove Guide

To be able to quickly spot a pellet stove with a good burn pot design you need to be an educated consumer, and the PelHeat guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge. Please click the link below form more details.

The Pellet Stove and Boiler Guide © PelHeat Ltd - Pellet Stove Burning