Do you ever wonder how hot pellet stove pipes get? You’re not alone. As someone who lives with little kids, I want to know whether the ducts can harm or burn them. But even if you don’t have children, it’s important to learn how hot the stove can get to manage expectations and prevent injuries.
A pellet stove pipe can get very hot as exhaust gas escapes the vent. The temperature inside the stove can reach up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit (345 degrees Celcius). Meanwhile, the exhaust vent pipe is usually cooler than the inside yet still hot at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celcius).
However, the exact temperature of your pellet stove vent pipe varies depending on several factors. Below, I will thoroughly cover how hot a pellet vent pipe gets. I’ll also give you insight into the average temperatures to expect when you touch the appliance.
How Hot Does A Pellet Stove Vent Pipe Get?
A pellet stove pipe can get hot while the stove burns wooden pellets to heat your home. The temperature inside the stove can get up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit (345 degrees Celcius). The pellet pipe temperature, where the exhaust gas escapes, doesn’t reach the same heat levels as the stove interior. Still, it can get to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celcius).
This temperature is hotter than boiling water but not as hot as cooking ovens. As such, the pellet stove pipe can be dangerous around small children and pets. Consider hiding the vent pipe behind a wall or an enclosure to prevent accidental burns.
If you haven’t installed a pipe yet, look for durable materials that can withstand the 250-degree heat from the pellet stove. These include stainless steel and other metals.
However, it might be better to invest in materials that can handle extreme heat beyond 250 degrees Fahrenheit. That is because there are still variations in how hot pellet stoves get.
Below are the factors that affect the temperature of pellet stove pipes.
- Stove temperature: The hotter the temperature of the stove, the hotter the exhaust pipe is. It can reach temperatures of 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celcius) if the stove power is high.
- Type of fuel: The wood pellets used can also affect how hot your pellet stove pipe gets. For example, softwood pellets burn hotter and longer than hardwood pellets. If you use them as fuel for your stove, expect the pellet stove vent pipe to become warmer than usual.
- Type of pipe: A single-wall stove pipe is cheaper than a double-wall pipe. However, a single-wall stove piple tends to trap hot air, making it hotter. In contrast, the latter leads to less creosote build-up (lower risk of fire) because the flue can burn faster.
- Pipe length: The length of the pellet stove venting pipe can also affect its temperature. Longer pipes are usually hotter than shorter ducts because the flue takes longer to escape the chimney. That increases the heat level inside the piping.
Do Pellet Stoves Get Hot on the Outside?
Pellet stoves are usually made from metal, which is a known conductor of heat. So, yes, the outside of the stove can get hot if it’s burning wood pellets. In fact, wood pellet stoves are designed to emit heat to warm your house during the winter. Still, you may ask, “How hot exactly?”
Well, that depends on several factors.
Higher stove settings mean a more powerful fire. If the inside of the oven is very hot, it is only natural for its exterior to heat up as well. However, the outside of the stove typically has a lower temperature than the interior and exhaust pipes. The heated stove rarely reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit. It can range from 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celcius) to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (94 degrees Celcius).
The exact temperature also varies depending on the exterior parts involved. The heat exchanger and glass door can get to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to the pipe. That is because these parts have direct contact with the heat inside the oven. In contrast, other components usually hover around the 100-degree mark.
And as previously mentioned, the type of pellets can affect how hot the outside of the pellet stove is. Softwood pellets result in hotter flames than hardwood. Expect an increase in temperature when using these fuels.
Finally, the current indoor temperature also influences how hot the exterior of pellet stoves gets. If you use the pellet stove in the middle of the winter, the outside may feel cooler than when using it in a mild climate. There are exceptions to this, of course. For example, if you turn up the heat, the stove obviously gets hotter, which brings me back to my first point.
With all that said, it is still possible that the outside of the pellet stove remains warm or cool because of its unique construction. Some manufacturers design their stoves with several metal wall layers, making them safe around children and pets.
Do Pellet Stoves Get Hot to the Touch?
Yes, pellet stoves can get hot to the touch. In fact, some components of the appliance are too hot to touch while in use. These include the pellet stove pipe, heat exchanger, glass door, and combustion chamber. Avoid direct contact with these parts because they may lead to burns and injuries. If you have small children or pets, keep a watchful eye on them and install safety fences near the stove.
Meanwhile, other areas, such as the top or side walls of the stove, are slightly hot to warm. They are typically safe to touch. However, take precautions and wear a heat-resistant glove to minimize the risks of burning.
If you own an automatic pellet stove, expect the control board to be cool to the touch. Manufacturers designed this component to come into contact with users, so they made it safe and easy to access.
You can consult the user model of your pellet stove to learn more about the appliance. You’ll usually find out about the safety guide, which teaches you the parts to never touch and the objects you shouldn’t place inside.
How to Cool A Pellet Stove?
After learning how hot a pellet stove can get, you’re probably curious about the cooling process.
Fortunately, cooling a pellet stove is very easy to do. Simply press the dedicated off button to switch off the appliance. Expect the unit to initiate the cooldown process automatically. Wait a few hours for the stove to cool before powering it down completely and unplugging it.
Never attempt to put the fire and smoke out yourself. You must also avoid unplugging the pellet stove. You need to allow it to cool down to ensure optimal performance.
If you need to speed up the cooling process for any reason, try smothering the coals with sand or ash. You can also discard the ashes. Make sure to wear heatproof gloves before opening the ash tray to prevent getting burned. Do not clean or touch the other internal parts (burn pot, heat exchanger, etc.) until they are completely cool.
Conclusion
A pellet stove burns wood pellets to generate heat. In turn, the exhaust pipe and the outside of the oven become considerably hot. The exact temperatures vary on several factors. But in general, the pipe can reach 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celcius). Meanwhile, the exterior of the oven can get 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celcius) to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (94 degrees Celcius).
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