Do you want an eco-friendly and convenient way to warm your home during the winter? You probably heard about a wood pellet stove. However, you may be clueless about how to operate it.
Read the user manual to learn how to use a pellet stove. Each model works differently, so the operation can vary. The most important things to consider are the fuel type and ventilation. The pellet stove can only feed off certain materials. There should also be vents, so the heat could escape.
You must also take the temperature and blower speed into account. This article will teach you how to operate pellet stove appliances. We’ll also answer your questions about using pellet stoves.
How To Operate a Pellet Stove?
If you want your house to stay warm in cold weather and reduce heating costs, use a pellet stove. Below are some steps on how to start a pellet stove.
Read the Product Manual
Not all pellet stoves work the same way. You must consult the user manual that comes with your stove to learn how to use it.
The product manual contains important details about your pellet stove. These include the type of stove you have (manual or automatic), the location where to put the wooden pellets, and the button functions, among other things. It also includes any warnings you need to know to ensure safe pellet stove operation.
Get the Right Fuel for the Pellet Stove
By reading the product manual, you will learn the proper fuel necessary to operate the pellet stove.
Remember, this type of stove does not accept wood logs. Most pellet stoves feed off of wood chips, sawdust, paper, and other compost materials. On the other hand, some models can burn biomass fuel that includes corn kernels, nutshells, soybeans, and sunflowers.
When in doubt, refer to the user manual to know which fuel type best suits your appliance. Avoid using other foreign materials because the pellet stove may malfunction.
Check the Ventilation
Before turning on the pellet stove, it is best to check the ventilation in your living room or dining area.
Make sure the heat can go somewhere, such as a chimney. Note that chimneys aren’t required when installing pellet stoves. That said, you must have vents to allow smoke and other gases to escape your house. You must also give the appliance enough clearance for proper airflow.
Follow the specific installation instructions from the manufacturer. Better yet, hire a professional to install the pellet stove for you. They will know which stove piping to use and the local building codes to meet.
Pour Pellets Into the Stove
After ensuring there is enough ventilation, you can add pellets to the stove. These are usually biofuels made from compressed wood fiber.
Pellet stoves have a hopper where you can add the fuel. You can usually find it on the back of the stove.
Open the hopper lid and carefully pour the wood pellets into the hopper. The amount of pellets you put inside the stove depends on how long you intend to run the appliance. You must ensure there is enough fuel to cover the duration of the fire. In general, you can fill up to 3/4ths of the hopper.
However, you should consider the maximum capacity of your hopper, too. This information is usually stated in the instructional manual. For example, if your stove can handle 55 pounds of pellets, you can add three bags of pellets (each weighing 18 pounds) without a problem. Adding four is out of the equation, though.
You can purchase wood pellets from your local hardware store or online retailers.
Plug In the Stove
A pellet stove works by using electricity, so you’ll need a source of electricity to operate it.
Plug your pellet stove directly into the electrical outlet.
Avoid using extension cords because the stove requires a large amount of power.
In case of a power outage, you can use a battery backup system. Simply connect it to your pellet stove. Expect it to run automatically and power your stove when your AC power goes out.
Switch the Stove On
With the pellet stove plugged in, you can now press the on switch to start it up.
You’ll usually find this power switch on the back of the stove or on the control panel.
However, some models use an automatic ignition system, a gel, or other compatible materials for a successful start-up. For example, in a manual start stove, you must mix ignition gel with the wooden pellets to make the pellets burn.
Refer to the specific directions from the manufacturer. Failing to do so can cause problems down the road.
If you experience something wrong with the stove, do not unplug the power plug to shut it down. Instead, use the dedicated off button or automatic controls to power down the unit. Doing so allows the appliance to cool itself off before stopping operation.
Set the Temperature
Some pellet stoves may not start without setting the desired temperature. If so, you must choose between high and low heat options.
Those who own modern pellet stoves must program the desired room temperature via thermostatic control or touchscreens.
If you set the temperature at or below the current room temperature, the stove may not start. You must choose a higher heat setting.
The pellet stove has a built-in temperature sensor. Once it hits the set temperature, it will automatically run on the lowest feed setting, which uses fewer wood pellets.
Adjust Programmable Timings
Besides the room temperature, some wooden pellet stoves also let you change the heating duration. In other words, you can set how long the appliance runs. Or you can decide on the specific times and days when the stove will produce heat. These are handy if you’ll be out and about during the winter because you can choose when to start the fire.
Change the Blower Speed
You can even adjust the blower speed of the pellet stove, which gives you more control over the room temperature.
The blower refers to the fan built inside the wooden pellet stove. It forces hot air out of your house.
You can increase or decrease the blower speed, depending on your preference. Or you can set it to Auto, letting the stove automatically adjust the speed of the blower fan.
Start the Fire
After changing the stove settings, you can finally get the fire started.
Some automatic pellet stoves come with a secondary power button, which switches on the touchscreen controls. Simply press this button on your automatic pellet stove to generate heat.
If you own a manual pellet stove, you may need to light the pellets using a match. Put the flame on the ignition gel to create a small fire. Wait for the fire to strengthen before closing the door of the stove. Doing so allows enough oxygen to enter the stove and properly start the fire.
Turn Off the Stove
Use the dedicated knob or button to power off the stove. Do not attempt to put the fire out yourself. You should also avoid unplugging the appliance.
Turning off the pellet stove with the indicated switch allows the interior to cool down. It is important to keep the appliance in optimal running condition.
Clean the Stove
After using the wooden pellet stove, you must clean it according to the user manual.
Check the burn pot every day and remove the ashes as necessary. Scrape them out with a metal gardening shovel or fire iron.
It is also best to regularly clean the heat exchanger of the pellet stove for maximum efficiency. Consider hiring professionals to maintain this essential part.
And finally, this may seem obvious, but you should always wipe the glass of the oven. Use a damp tissue or cloth to remove the build-up of soot and reveal the clear glass underneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of a pellet heater?
Having a pellet heater in your home offers several benefits.
One of the biggest advantages of pellet stoves is their cost efficiency. They can heat your entire home at a lower cost than electric heaters and fossil fuels. And although they use electricity, they require minimal power. In fact, they can draw power from a generator or a battery during electricity outages.
Pellet heaters also produce low emissions of particulates. They filter the harmful pollutants released in the air, making them more eco-friendly than other heating devices. Plus, these appliances use wooden pellets, which are a neutral-carbon resource. They do not increase or decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The pellets themselves take up less space than woodpiles, making them easy to store.
A wooden pellet heater is also easy to use. It is fully functional without needing human intervention for about half a day. Just make sure the stove is loaded with wooden pellets.
Installation is likewise straightforward. There is no need to build costly chimneys or vents. All you need is a vent pipe to remove the gases from your home.
Finally, pellet stoves require minimal cleaning. They have a built-in ash pan that is easy to access and clean after heating your home.
Are pellet heaters efficient?
Pellet heaters or stoves are more efficient than traditional fireplaces. They can reach efficiency rates of up to 83%. They can keep your entire home warm throughout the winter.
Pellet heaters are very effective because they use wooden pellets. These carbon-neutral and renewable fuels come from wood shavings and sawdust. They burn more efficiently while emitting very little air pollution. Pellet wood is an excellent eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, like natural gas, coal, and oil.
Do you leave the pellet stove on all night?
It is safe to leave a pellet stove on overnight. In fact, it can run for long periods (more than 24 hours) without the need to refuel it. The appliance automatically feeds off the wooden pellets, which creates consistent fire.
However, follow the necessary precautions when using the pellet stove for an extended time. These include cleaning the stove regularly and connecting it to a backup power source for your safety.
Conclusion
A wooden pellet stove can provide consistent heating to your house during cold winter months. Although it may seem a simple appliance, it can be quite tricky to operate for first-time users.
To use a pellet heater, carefully read the user manual. It will teach you everything you need to learn about the appliance, from the button functions to the type of fuel to use. You must also ensure proper ventilation to allow heat to escape from your house.
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