Pellets stoves and inserts are more efficient than most wood-burning stoves.
You can save money on heating by burning wood pellets in a pellet stove or pellet insert. Pellet stoves are a modern version of the old-fashioned wood-burning stove. However, these stoves are more energy efficient and easier to install and run than the wood-burning models. A pellet insert is a metal basket that can be used for burning pellets in a wood stove or fireplace. Wood pellets are made from compressed biomass materials such as crop waste, cardboard, recycled paper, leaves, lawn clippings or sawdust. By using these renewable resources as raw material, pellets are an excellent "green" solution for home heating.
Instructions
1. Start the pellet mill in which you will make your pellets and wait a few minutes for the metal die inside to heat up. The heat will turn the small amount of moisture in the sawdust to steam. The steam in turn melts the lignin in the wood fibers and it becomes the bonding agent for the pellets.
2. Place a large box under the chute of the pellet mill to catch the pellets as they are formed. Feed the sawdust by handfuls or small shovelfuls into the hopper of the pellet mill. In a few seconds, pellets will begin to fall out of the chute into the box.
3. Allow the pellets to cool in the box before you handle them. When they are cool they are ready for you to burn in a pellet stove or a pellet insert. Store any unused pellets in bags in a dry place.
