Pellet Stoves: How They Work, Benefits, and Buying Guide

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Pellet stoves are heating devices that rely on small compressed pellets as their main fuel. When these pellets burn inside the stove, heat is released and radiates into the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in the home.

The operation of these stoves is straightforward. As the right amount of pellets is loaded into the stove’s hopper, an electrical system starts the combustion. An internal fan circulates the warmth through the room, while another fan draws in cold air from outside to warm it. As the pellets are consumed, ashes collect in a designated area inside the stove and require periodic cleaning.

Advantages of pellet stoves

For anyone thinking about buying a pellet stove, gathering clear information about its features is wise. Here are some of the key benefits of this efficient heating option:

  • Easy to use. Pellet stoves offer straightforward operation with minimal maintenance.
  • Cost savings. While the upfront price may be higher than other systems, long-term pellet costs are typically lower than competing fuels.
  • High efficiency. Pellet stoves convert a large share of pellet energy into usable heat, generating less waste and fewer emissions.
  • Renewable fuel source. Pellets are produced from wood waste, making them a sustainable energy option.

What is pellet fuel and how is it made?

Turning to the fuel itself, pellets are small cylindrical pieces made from compressed material, most often wood waste such as sawdust and shavings. The production process dries, grinds, and presses the material under high pressure, without additives or binders, yielding uniform cylinders with high calorific value.

Pellets can be produced from wood, but there are variants made from other organic materials like hazelnut shells or agricultural residues. They are sold in bags or in bulk, and prices vary by region and quality. Buying high-quality pellets helps ensure smooth stove operation and better energy efficiency.

How much does a 15-pound bag of pellets cost?

Buy 15-pound bags of pellets from Obramat

This article has already compared pellet bag prices at major retailers, but a quick online search reveals options that can be cheaper on Obramat. The pellets from the Green Footprint brand are nationally produced. A 15-kilogram bag features EN PLUS A1 certification, a 6 mm diameter, and a typical length around 3 centimeters. The bag price is about 4.99 euros, or 0.33 euros per kilogram. For a pallet of 77 bags, the unit price drops to roughly 4.74 euros.

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Pellets at Bricodepot: consistent quality across bags

There is also another option from the Tupellets brand that holds the EN PLUS A1 “all natural” certification, according to Obramat. These are solid biomass pellets, 6 mm in diameter, made from dried natural sawdust and peeled pine with no additives. The price for a 15-kilogram bag is about 5.50 euros, roughly 0.37 euros per kilogram.

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