pellet basket material thoughts

[nonhog]

Thinking I should try burning pellets in my wood stove after looking at this..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Metal-Pellet-Basket-Burn-Wood-Pellets-Wood-Stoves-/150738620255#vi-content

It looks fine but I think I can build one myself. I could duplicate the rod design like in the link or maybe a expanded metal?
HD screen?
Thoughts welcome.

 

[ford.crazy]

If I were to make one. I'd make it out of solid rod as it is in the link. I think it will absorb more heat into the metal before warping. Expanded steel might warp quick, unless you use heavy/thick expanded steel. Either way I would consider just buying a pellet stove or pellet stove insert, if you want to burn pellets. I think your going to use a lot more pellets in the one you build vs. using a pellet stove. I helped a friend install a pellet stove in his house right before winter. He uses about a 50lb. Bag a day or less to heat his house. Looks like the one in the link would use a lot more because it's burning them all at once. Instead of feeding them a few at a time just to keep the fire going and to keep the temp. up. Just my 2 cents.

 

[nonhog]

If I were to make one. I'd make it out of solid rod as it is in the link. I think it will absorb more heat into the metal before warping. Expanded steel might warp quick, unless you use heavy/thick expanded steel. Either way I would consider just buying a pellet stove or pellet stove insert, if you want to burn pellets. I think your going to use a lot more pellets in the one you build vs. using a pellet stove. I helped a friend install a pellet stove in his house right before winter. He uses about a 50lb. Bag a day or less to heat his house. Looks like the one in the link would use a lot more because it's burning them all at once. Instead of feeding them a few at a time just to keep the fire going and to keep the temp. up. Just my 2 cents.

I think your probably right about the rods. I'll give it a try just because I have a wood stove now and may or may not run out of wood before the burning season is over. I like the idea of a hybrid type stove. easy enough to install/
remove basket. I have read up a bit about using them and I'm sure its not as effective as a pellet stove but its suppose to work well.
It would also work w/o power.
Our stove is getting old and will need replaced this will help me decide if chopping wood or buying pellets is in my future.

Wood can be had for free (my yard-see pic) lots of labor which I enjoy but it does take away from shop time. Pellets cost money but would be so easy and clean to use.

 

[bobadame]

Why would you burn pellets instead of wood?

 

[nonhog]

Why would you burn pellets instead of wood?

lots of labor which I enjoy but it does take away from shop time. Pellets cost money but would be so easy and clean to use.

It does take time to do the way I prefer. Gather, cut, chop, stack all things I am good with but like most, my time and energy is limited.

And this way its not one or the other. WIN-WIN (? maybe ?)

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would think that the rods would get hot enough to sag under their own weight.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Go look closely at some pellet stoves. Air flow is important. You will also notice that they small burn boxes and some type of auto feeder.

If you just put a big pile in some kind of container, I don't think it will burn correctly and might even burn out.

 

[Bondo]

Go look closely at some pellet stoves. Air flow is important. You will also notice that they small burn boxes and some type of auto feeder.

If you just put a big pile in some kind of container, I don't think it will burn correctly and might even burn out.

Ayuh,... The pellets would burn Way to Fast, as they have to much surface area exposed....
Chunk wood burns slower because of the less surface area exposed at any 1 time....

 

[caper150]

My question is how do you refill it after it's burning, with the wood stove you just open the door and throw more logs on, pellet stoves have automatic feeders whether it's gravity feed or an auger type system, with this it seems like you need to pull out the burning basket to refill it.??

 

[nonhog]

I have read up a bit about using them and I'm sure its not as effective as a pellet stove but its suppose to work well.
It would also work w/o power.

I've had a pellet stove before and it was great, not new to me. Plenty of forums and Youtube videos showing this works. Unless there is a conspiracy?


I for one love the idea of having a season off from worrying about gathering firewood.
Then have a wood stove for when the time/lower back/wind storms all align
so I can burn cord wood again.

For those interested here is one (of many) threads w/video of pellet baskets in wood stoves.
http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/80133/P0/

 

[nonhog]

My question is how do you refill it after it's burning, with the wood stove you just open the door and throw more logs on, pellet stoves have automatic feeders whether it's gravity feed or an auger type system, with this it seems like you need to pull out the burning basket to refill it.??

Scoop, ladle, whatever fits and is fire proof.

 

[nonhog]

No turning back.
I'm ready for pellets now. The basket is done and would have been smarter to buy one but I do like building stuff.
Took a section out of my welding cart (metal peg board) that may end up being my weak link. I have seen ones made (on YouTube) from expanded metal and they burn up after a few months. We'll see!
3/8 rod and stair tread combine to one very heavy basket.
Ran out of MIG wire 2/3rd's the way through and went flux the rest the way.
Kinda ugly.

I'll let you all know how it works.

 

[nonhog]

Try the pics again...

 

[nonhog]

So far pretty dang good!
I'm very pleased. Have some fine tuning to do with adj. the stove.
Its 77 in the living room now. Slower getting up to temp than cord wood.
But once its going its fine.
Only filled it 2/3rds being the 1st try and all. Squirted some gel pellet starter
and it took right off(slow but sure) May try hand sanitizer if its cheaper.

Adding pellets is not hard but I may try a bigger scoop to speed it up some as my little fireplace shovel doesn't hold much.

Time will tell but 1st run I could not be happier.

after 1hr.


after refill 2+hours

 

[polydan]

I would be intersted in the pellet consumption over a 24hr period. I have my pellet stove on 24hrs every day and averaging a 40lb bag over 22 hrs. Its in the basement set on low. At this consumption it averages somewhat close to using hardwood in my old wood burner(cost wise) but alot more convenient.

 

[nonhog]

I would be intersted in the pellet consumption over a 24hr period. I have my pellet stove on 24hrs every day and averaging a 40lb bag over 22 hrs. Its in the basement set on low. At this consumption it averages somewhat close to using hardwood in my old wood burner(cost wise) but alot more convenient.

I've yet to fine tune this set up. Seeing how low I can set the damper.
Right now I need to clean out the old "wood" ash as its not letting the air flow from the bottom where it needs to be. My 2nd burn was not as good as the 1st. I rushed things.
So far I got 2 evenings worth of heat(one much better than the other)
out of a $6.00 40lb. bag.
I really doubt this will ever be close to as good as a regular pellet stove.
But I knew that going in. This is my back up to cord wood.
Perfect for cold spring days where you dont really want a rip roaring fire.
My wife will burn into June/July. Start up again in Sept.
I will post more results as I get them.

 

[nonhog]

About time to start fine tuning again.
Then an outdoor version for the patio area.