Pellet stove or wood stove?

[TRnCO]

everyone pretty much covered it above, I would add that having a source of FREE firewood along with the time and ability to process it, makes wood burner an easy choice, in my mind. My wife loves our wood burner and I don't mind the work involved in getting the wood to the stove. The mess isn't that bad, and if my wife can build a fire, anyone can build a fire. With the help of a little squirt of charcoal lighter fluid, anyone can light a fire in no time.
We cooked on top of our wood stove during the power outage in the last storm. First time we ever did that. Worked pretty snazzy.

[Bailey Guns]

Another thing I just thought of. Some wood stoves have the capability of burning coal. It wouldn't be my first choice in fuel but there are some advantages. If you're going to need a fire for a long time coal is a good choice. A big chunk of coal with burn/smolder for hours. It's very dirty and messy to store but it comes in handy on occasion.

[BladesNBarrels]

Just substitute coal

[kwando]

Bumping this, I think we’ve settled on a wood stove. Less things to go wrong. No moving parts like the auger on the pellet stove.

Now who can install one? Is it fairly easy to install?

[TRnCO]

Now who can install one? Is it fairly easy to install?

It's not really too difficult. I don't remember where I bought my stove pipe from, BUT they had diagrams showing several options and once a guy figured out the configuration that he was going to do, it was easy to see what parts were needed.
For instance, will you go up and elbow through the wall and then elbow straight up to the vent without going through an over hang on the roof, OR will you go straight up through a ceiling, through the attic, and then through the roof.

If I remember which website I used I'll let you know. But it showed all the options and then showed what pieces were needed and there's all kinds of instructions to be found on the web of doing installs.

I also found a guy local in Elizabeth that would do installs, but when he came to look at mine he wouldn't even give me an estimate. Not sure why, other than it wasn't a straight forward deal since I did a 45 degree run of pipe to get to an angled wall that I went through, instead of going up and doing a 90 through the wall directly behind the stove. So maybe the complex angles were what kept him from wanting to tackle my job. SO I had a good friend come help me do my install.

[buffalobo]

It's not really too difficult. I don't remember where I bought my stove pipe from, BUT they had diagrams showing several options and once a guy figured out the configuration that he was going to do, it was easy to see what parts were needed.
For instance, will you go up and elbow through the wall and then elbow straight up to the vent without going through an over hang on the roof, OR will you go straight up through a ceiling, through the attic, and then through the roof.

If I remember which website I used I'll let you know. But it showed all the options and then showed what pieces were needed and there's all kinds of instructions to be found on the web of doing installs.

I also found a guy local in Elizabeth that would do installs, but when he came to look at mine he wouldn't even give me an estimate. Not sure why, other than it wasn't a straight forward deal since I did a 45 degree run of pipe to get to an angled wall that I went through, instead of going up and doing a 90 through the wall directly behind the stove. So maybe the complex angles were what kept him from wanting to tackle my job. SO I had a good friend come help me do my install.

This^^^

Local fireplace contractor was "too busy"(he didnt want to deal with custom install) so I did the research mostly on Simpsons Dura Vent web site and made sure eveything was well above code for materials and clearances.

I used Simpson Dura Vent double wall insulated for entire chimney and ceiling box. I did a 15? offset in attic to avoid going thru roof at the peak as the parts would have to be custom made. Hercules Industries was willing to make the part but price and lead time were too long/high.

Once I had my design and parts list I ordered Simpson Dura Vent pipe thru local supplier to builders.

Once parts arrived install only took half a day and most of that was spent making sure ceiling box was just right.

You can stand next to stove and reach up and touch chimney without burns. Down close to stove the double wall is pretty hot but not the instant blistered burn like touching the stove.

We burn 4-6 cords a season and wood stove is our primary heat source for 2200sf ranch style log home.

[eddiememphis]

Bumping this, I think we’ve settled on a wood stove. Less things to go wrong. No moving parts like the auger on the pellet stove.

Now who can install one? Is it fairly easy to install?

Western Fireplace Supply in the Springs. Huge store with many displays and the warehouse has everything needed to install. My cousin has worked there for twenty years. They can answer all your questions.

[Ah Pook]

Bumping this, I think we’ve settled on a wood stove. Less things to go wrong. No moving parts like the auger on the pellet stove.

Now who can install one? Is it fairly easy to install?

Find someone that is certified and will pull the correct permits. Insurance will void any claims related to stove fires/damage, if all the proper procedures were not followed.

Expect the house to be a little more dusty. Clean the chimney once/twice a year. I miss having a wood stove.

[crashdown]

Don’t see any pellet stoves here in Alaska.... just sayin.

[Irving]

One guy made a gravity fed one, but I think he got bought out by a big company and they didn't make any. I don't really know.


I'm not trying to dissuade you from conventional wisdom, just something relevant that came across my feed recently.