How To Run A Pellet Stove During A Power Outage

How To Run A Pellet Stove During A Power Outage

Some pellet stoves have a factory supplied DC connection. Those with a Inverter generator need not apply, LOL.

 

Why not select one of the non-electric pellet stoves?

 

Don't run the inverter if you don't have to.
The inverter is going to suck down an amp or 2 just to stay powered on then you have the AC to DC conversion losses.

 

My Father was keen on a corn-burning stove, until he realized that both the hopper and the fan required electricity. Not exactly what you want during a winter power-outage!

 

I keep a quarter ton of horse bedding on hand (wood pellets) that could be used for heat if we ever need it here. Cooling off today. Only 71° at the beach.

In a survival situation I'd prefer gravity feed/screw feed or kid fed pellets. Better yet, put a drum of drain oil on the roof and drip feed the oil onto the coals. Unlikely to see and EPA inspectors out in a blizzard.

 

I can't speak for others but for my installation I don't have the ability to install a straight 20-30 foot flue per manufacturers recommendations to facilitate the proper draft needed for it to function properly. They function well for those who have a structure that can accommodate the flue requirements.

They are not ideal for ALL structures.

 

My 1st pellet stove had a factory supplied DC connection and I got 20 yrs. usage before replacing it. I'm unsure when manufactures quit installing a DC connection. I'm guessing it was a manufacturing cost issue.

 

Having any heat producing appliance reliant on electricity isn't exactly what you want during a winter power outage. Ideally, having a heat source not reliant on electricity is best. However, not everybody is in that situation.

One could keep a pellet stove running on less electricity than most other heat sources that require electricity. Pellet stoves need about 700-800 watts to start and run on about 500-600 watts. It doesn't take much generator to run a pellet stove.