Best Pellet Stoves – 2022 Ultimate Guide

Winter is a pleasant time for everyone. It is when couples, friends, and family often meet to sit beside a warm and comfortable fireplace. But running such a heating appliance can take a toll on you. Most electrical units are very expensive and hence lead to increased utility bills.

A pellet stove is one of the best ways to not only lower your costs but also enhance the quality of your living room. These units aren’t only very attractive but are available in a range of styles and designs, thus ensuring buyers have a greater say in how their living rooms look.

Finding the most appropriate unit can be quite challenging; however, this article will help. It not only includes a list of the most reliable models but also includes an excellent buying guide to help you make a good choice.

Comparison of the Best Pellet Stoves

What Makes a Great Pellet Stove? 

Pellet stoves are pretty popular in the market right now, and many have opted to invest in them. There are a few features that you need to look out for before you make the final decision. Here is what any great stove will have:

Good Heating Capacity

This is one of the most important things that you need to look out for. This value will indicate the BTU value of each unit. A higher BTU will result in more efficiency and will allow your unit to produce less waste. 

For most pellet stoves, this value is anywhere between 20,000 to 50,000. For very expensive models, it could be higher too. The good thing about this is that you can also decrease the heating capacity by turning the knob in the left direction.

Diverse Power Consumption

Although pellet stoves use wood chips as fuel, they make use of a moderate amount of electricity. But the consumption increases as the size of the model increases. This means that you have to strike a balance between the two. 

Your model will use an electric burner to burn all the wooden pellets. You can choose between any power option between 400W and 600W. But if you are looking to save on costs, we recommend choosing an option with lower power consumption.

Easy-to-Use Controls

This is a feature that you should look out for while buying any model. Having a good set of controls at your disposal means that you are going to have more say in how much and how frequently your room is heated. 

You can also adjust things like the blower speed and the heat settings to ensure every part of the room is heated equally. Some models also come with remote controls that provide a better range.

Review of the Best Pellet Stoves 

One simple Google search on pellet stoves and you will find a plethora of products in the market. Going through all the models to find the perfect one can be quite difficult. So, to help you out, here is a review of the top ones you should definitely check out: 

How Does a Pellet Stove Work? 

There aren’t many differences between a pellet stove and any other wood-burning fireplace. Both use wood as fuel to produce an adequate amount of heat. 

The pellets are placed inside the hopper that is located on the top side of the unit. An electric auger delivers pellets in a small quantity, from the hopper into the burn chamber. 

Moreover, a convection blower draws the air from the room into the stove and then warms it up by passing it through a number of heat exchange tubes. The heated air is then moved outside and into the surroundings.

When Would I Use a Pellet Stove? 

These stoves aren’t very different from wooden stoves in terms of their function. They require a constant electricity supply to operate; however, they will still produce enough heat to provide diversity in usage. Here is when you will use one:

In Winters

This is the most obvious use of pellet stoves. Countries that have snow or cold winds throughout the year are mostly centrally heated. However, areas that have a diverse climate with different temperatures throughout the year will need to invest in a stove. 

These are appliances that are inserted in your rooms or living halls and can act as a primary heating unit for a large area. You can also adjust the temperature settings according to your need and preference. 

Cooking Food

Many people don’t know that they can actually cook food on top of a stove. If you are someone who wants to restrict electrical usage, you can always buy a stove with a flat top. 

The heat production is slow, which may mean that it will take time for your food to be properly cooked. However, the slow operation allows a good flavor to develop. Moreover, you can put food that only needs slight heating to cook.

Decoration

Since these are very attractive appliances, you can place them in your homes and ensure a greater aesthetic appeal. But more importantly, since they make use of small pellet chips, you can ensure a very cozy and comfortable environment inside. You can sit with your partner or your friends and enjoy a romantic evening in front of your stove. 

The models are also durable, which means that they will still add finesse to your room even when they aren’t running.

Different Types of Pellet Stoves

There are many different variations of pellet stoves, and you can opt for one that suits your needs the most. Here is how each of these options differs from each other.

Stoves for Mobile Homes

Mobile or modular homes are usually the ones built near buildings or construction sites, and managers and workers live there. They are relatively smaller than normal houses and don’t have a lot of space to house a large unit. This is why the stoves compatible with them are also sleek and hence save space. They are also easier to install and usually offer direct vent technology. 

Moreover, they offer a low BTU and low heating capacity, just enough to heat the small mobile home.

Insert

Homes that already have a fireplace available don’t have to invest in a full stove. They can only buy the stove insert and enjoy good and comfortable warmth all year. This is usually smaller than the actual fireplace and can be fixed inside the main unit. 

Moreover, it doesn’t require any extensive installation because the insert can simply be connected with the chimney’s vents with the help of a firebox. This saves both money and energy.

Freestanding Stoves

As the name suggests, these don’t require any proper support. Freestanding units usually come with their own exhaust pipes and don’t require any extensive installation. Moreover, there is a lot of variety in terms of shape, size, and colors available in this option. You can also modify a freestanding unit to suit your own needs.

Pellet Stove Pros and Cons 

From its body to its design to its efficiency, almost everything about pellet stoves stands out. However, there are some drawbacks associated with the product as well. Here is a description of each.

Pros

There is a reason why so many people opt for pellet stoves. Here are all the pros you can get to enjoy by investing in one of these:

Easy Maintenance and Usage

Both of these things are paramount. The ease of usage comes with having better controls at your disposal, and the ease of maintenance comes with having a simplistic yet durable model. Such stoves also come with power modulation and the option for automatic and manual ignition, thus ensuring more ease for the user.

High Efficiency and Autonomy

As compared to other products, pellet stoves don’t need as much tending to. Since the hopper is inbuilt, you can expect the stove to provide fuel to the burner according to your needs. Moreover, you will have to refill the unit every 24 hours or so. Apart from that, good efficiency is also ensured. The energy wastage, as compared to other wood stoves, is relatively less.

Eco-Friendly

This feature might not have gained this much attention a few years back, but with the increased degradation of the planet, you must play your role in safeguarding the Earth. Eco-friendly appliances burn fuel more efficiently and ensure that no toxic gases harm the environment.

Cons

We want you to make an informed decision, which is why you must know the drawbacks of such units too. 

Electricity Consumption

The major drawback of pellet stoves is that they are heavily dependent on electricity for optimum performance. Models usually come with an inbuilt computer system that requires electricity to burn pellets. Without electricity, you won’t be able to get any heat out of the pellets.

Comparison Overview 

Most stoves, fireplaces, and heating appliances work similarly; however, the major difference between them is the way they produce heat. The source and the fuel are different and lead to each of these appliances offering different features. Here is how these units compare with pellet stoves. 

Pellet Stove vs. Wood Stove

Both these stoves are similar such that they use wood to produce heat. However, the major difference is that pellet stoves run on electricity, whereas wood stoves run on other forms of fuel. Moreover, since pellets are small wooden chips, you will require less fuel to burn them as compared to large wooden logs. The BTU level is higher too.

Moreover, pellet appliances are known for producing fewer emissions and are considered more environment-friendly. They are also certified by EPA, thus ensuring that they comply with eco-friendly practices. The main advantage of having a wood stove is that they seem more realistic and have a greater aesthetic appeal. They are also relatively cheaper. 

Pellet Stove vs. Propane

As the name suggests, propane stoves use propane for fuel. Since this type of fuel is readily available, the cost of usage is very low. Moreover, the initial investment needed to buy and then install such an appliance is also relatively low. With gas, you can always rest assured that there will be an adequate fuel supply throughout the year.

However, with pellets, you will have to buy them in bulk and store them. You cannot get any warmth if you ever run out of pellets. Another advantage of propane units is that they ensure a much more even heat supply. The bottom, as well as the top of the device, is evenly heated and can be used for cooking food as well.

Pellet Stove vs. Heat Pump

A heat pump is not exactly a stove and works in a completely different way. It doesn’t generate heat but only moves it and uses relatively less electricity than a stove. 

Moreover, heat pumps are known to create much more energy than they consume, which makes them eco-friendly. They are also much safer because their systems are not based on combustion. Moreover, since they don’t take much electricity, they are very cheap.

But the thing that makes them better than stoves is that they don’t require much maintenance. The design is pretty simple, and hence you don’t have to spend much time cleaning the unit. However, stoves are preferred when you have to generate enough energy to warm the entire room. Stoves are also faster and can produce more heat in less time.

Corn Stove vs. Pellet Stove

These are two entirely different types, and you shouldn’t try to burn corn in a stove that is designed especially to burn pellets. Some units allow you to burn a variety of fuel materials, but you will have to check with the manufacturer to ensure corn is one of them.

As for efficiency, corn tends to burn hotter than pellets and requires more energy. A major benefit of this, however, is that you will get faster and more consistent results. If you live in a very cold country, then it might be better to have both types at home. When it’s very cold, you can switch from the pellet stove to the corn one to ensure greater warmth and comfort inside the room.

Coal Stove vs. Pellet Stove

How to Install a Pellet Stove

Contrary to what people feel, installing a pellet stove is actually very easy and doesn’t require much effort. Here is what you have to do:

1. The first step is to set a fireproof pad on your floor at the location where you want to install the stove.
   
   
2. Then place your unit on top of the pad and make sure there is appropriate clearance from any combustible surface.
   
   
3. Vent the pipe temporarily by boring a small hole through the wall. Then align this hole carefully with the vent pipe.
   
   
4. Use large dividers and then mark the interior wall’s diameter on the wall. Place this divider on the vent pipe’s outline and draw a circle.
   
   
5. Hold the wall thimble and then mark the area where it contacts the siding of the house. Use a saw to cut small slots into the sidings.
   
   
6. Wrap a strong and fireproof insulation material around the pipe and then pass it through the thimble.
   
   
7. Attach the screen and the elbow to the ends of the vent pipe. And then bore a hole through the exterior wall to allow fresh air intake.
   
   
8. Drill the same length of a hole that runs through the interior wall and feed a two-inch vent and run it through the exterior hole.
   
   
9. Apply silicone caulk around this vent to make it more firm. Then, slide the mounting plate against your wall and use screws for attachment.
   
   
10. Attach the elbow to one end of the exhaust vent and connect it to the inner wall’s thimble.
    
    
11. Plug in the power cord, add pellets to the hopper, and then do a test run to see everything is in the correct order.

How to Vent a Pellet Stove

You can vent pellet stoves either vertically or horizontally through the wall. It is also recommended that you get a vertical rise with the help of an L-vent pipe before you install it horizontally.

How to Install a Pellet Stove in an Existing Fireplace

If you already have a fireplace at home, all you need is a pellet insert stove. These are cheaper and are available in smaller sizes to fit inside the fireplaces. To install a pellet stove, you will have to insert stronger and more durable steel pipes as vents.

This is just a small overview. For more details, refer to the video given below.

How to Use a Pellet Stove

These exceptionally rusty and beautiful appliances can enhance the look of any home. But before you think of all the ways they will bring comfort into your life, we recommend you learn the right way of using such a heating unit. Here is how you can get your unit running in no time.

1. Your unit needs to be attached to an electrical socket, or you can also connect it to batteries if there is no electricity available.
   
   
2. You need to first add fuel to the stove. Since it doesn’t use large logs, you will have to feed it with wooden chips, paper, or any compost material.
   
   
3. Before using the model, make sure the room is properly ventilated. This ensures that the unit can take out the air from inside and that there’s proper retention of oxygen inside your home.
   
   
4. The stovepiping should also be sealed and properly insulated to ensure no fumes escape the pipes. If you can’t do this yourself, make sure you hire a professional.
   
   
5. Light the pellet stove. There will be an automatic ignition option available in most modern units. This will ensure ease and convenience. This will result in electricity pushing pellets from the hopper to the burner. Air will be extracted from outside, and the wood will be burned to produce heat.
   
   
6. Once the unit has done its job, make sure you empty the ash drawer. This shouldn’t be delayed for days because the soot can build up and make the inside of the room, making it unsuitable for sitting.
   
   
7. You shouldn’t stand or sit within five feet of the stove. This is to prevent powerful heat from burning you or affecting your skin adversely. Moreover, keep any combustible substances away from the unit.
   
   
8. There is a knob that allows for quick on and off function. Don’t unplug the unit before you have switched off the fire and let the unit cool off completely.

How to Light a Pellet Stove

If you have an automatic ignition option, then all you have to do is turn on the unit, and the pellet stove will be lit. However, manual units will need more attention. You will have to take a lighter near the unit and turn the pilot on.

If there is still some confusion left, you can look at the video given below for a more comprehensive summary.

Conclusion 

The best thing about pellet stoves is that they are easy and safe to use. But many people simply invest in them for their breathtaking appeal. They are very attractive and instantly make your house seem more welcoming and entertaining. Plus, they are very eco-friendly, which means you can enjoy warmth whilst also contributing to the betterment of the planet.

If all these reasons aren’t enough to convince you, you can always check out the model’s strong construction. This provides better durability and strength so that your pellet stove can continue making your life better and more comfortable.

People Also Ask

Pellet stoves aren’t your traditional units, which is why they have fascinated quite a few people. The sheer number of questions you will find on the internet is a testament to that fact. We scoured the internet to find the most frequently asked ones. Here are the answers to those: