I did a search on this and couldnt come up with the answer Im looking for and maybe for good reason Im not sure. If you had the choice between a wood stove or pellet stove which would it be ....just say you didnt have to buy wood or pellets, the fuel is all free...which stove will heat my house better? My delima- I have 2 pellet stoves(whitfield advantage 2T and vermont castings reliance) but I also have a new Englander ACD24 wood stove out in the garage. I already have all the supervent I need for the wood chimney as well....Im thinking about swappin one of the pellet stoves out for the wood stove. I get wood for free as I have approx. 100 acres total to cut it from and I love cutting and splitting firewood. However the pellets are very easy to use so Im not 100% sure I want to make the switch just yet unless I know for sure the wood stove would give me lots more heat.
WOOD VS PELLET
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The only reason I havent yet is because Im not sure if I will get more heat from my wood stove over my pellet stove.
If the pellets were free, no contest. I would take the pellet stove. Steady even heat that I can turn up and down and on and off when I want to.
Same with gas and electric too though. If the fuel was free my stoves would have plants sitting on top of them.
Same with gas and electric too though. If the fuel was free my stoves would have plants sitting on top of them.
Ok i guess I should have worded my question a little differently. Im just wanting to know if I will get more heat out of the wood stove?
You might want to contact Englander directly or PM stoveguy2esw (Mike) on this forum. I believe he had the 24ACD at one time. The stove was a good one from what he posted, but it is no longer sold and thus the specs are not posted. The stove was tested at about 20,000 btus, so I'm not sure if it's output would be a lot higher than the pellet stove on high at 38,000 btus, but best to hear it from the man at Englander. One thing for sure, it will be quieter and simpler.
drtnshtr said:
No. Per pound of wood, be it pellets or cord wood, that you put into the stoves the more efficient pellet stove is going to deliver more heat into the living space over the burn time. What a wood stove will give you is higher radiant heat that rises, peaks and then falls off with the wood load burn and will be hotter at the peak of the burn. I like the heat delivery from my wood stoves better than my pellet stove but that is probably just me.
webbie
Seasoned Moderator
Most folks have reported that pellet stoves seem to put out less heat than wood stoves. This is probably due to the fact that they are more controllable, so tend to run at lower outputs on a constant basis. A typical output of a pellet stove would be from 12,000 to 18,000 BTU per hour - sometimes less.
Woodstoves probably run from a low of 15,000 to a high of 50,000 plus.
In terms of the fuel use and cost, try:
https://www.hearth.com/compare
Woodstoves probably run from a low of 15,000 to a high of 50,000 plus.
In terms of the fuel use and cost, try:
https://www.hearth.com/compare
johnnywarm
Minister of Fire
johnnywarm
Minister of Fire
KeithO
Minister of Fire
Since I have done both, here is my viewpoint. Pellet stoves put out almost no radiant heat. There is none of that "glow", the feeling of the afternoon sun shining on you - forget it. Pellet / corn stoves heat via convection like your NG / Propane / Oil furnace. The surfaces of the stoves are far too cool to evaporate water from a kettle or trivet ( I tried everything imaginable). So you get very dry air and need a separate humidifier (who wants more crap to take care of ?)
In operation, they are of course less demanding than wood stoves, since you probably only need to touch then once or twice a day to empty the ash from the burn pot and dump another bag of fuel into the hopper. Like some have said, if the power goes out, game over. If you have a few deep cycle batteries charged and ready to go + an inverter, fine. That setup will cost a good portion of the cost of the stove and the batteries typically only last 3-4 years if treated nicely.
I personally have political problems with pellets, since it is a commodity product that is subject to variability due to things going on in the timber and construction industry. I liked the idea of supporting farmers in my area by burning corn, but when the price of crude went through the roof recently, the price of corn based ethanol tracked it 1:1. That meant that corn was traded up in price until it was more than 5x the "average" cost for the previous 5-7 years. In 2008 with corn prices at an almost record high, more farmers than ever dove in to take advantage of the easy money to be made. Land owners increased property rental costs for those farming leased land due to the corn price "windfall". Farmers in the 2008 season burnt the most expensive diesel fuel ever plowing those fields and harvesting the corn. So costs for the crop this season are at an all time high. But, with the financial meltdown, job losses, fear causing investors to dump stocks, the oil price has tanked and with it has taken down Ethanol. As a result, corn futures are plunging down in price, last time I looked around the $3 level. At that price, there are going to be some widespread major losses in farming and ethanol production.
I would like to see some sanity return to the market and would prefer not to have my Greenfield end up on the scrap heap. It is far more sensible burning corn and extracting 100% of its available energy than wasting half or more of its energy turning it into a "not very good" automotive fuel.
In operation, they are of course less demanding than wood stoves, since you probably only need to touch then once or twice a day to empty the ash from the burn pot and dump another bag of fuel into the hopper. Like some have said, if the power goes out, game over. If you have a few deep cycle batteries charged and ready to go + an inverter, fine. That setup will cost a good portion of the cost of the stove and the batteries typically only last 3-4 years if treated nicely.
I personally have political problems with pellets, since it is a commodity product that is subject to variability due to things going on in the timber and construction industry. I liked the idea of supporting farmers in my area by burning corn, but when the price of crude went through the roof recently, the price of corn based ethanol tracked it 1:1. That meant that corn was traded up in price until it was more than 5x the "average" cost for the previous 5-7 years. In 2008 with corn prices at an almost record high, more farmers than ever dove in to take advantage of the easy money to be made. Land owners increased property rental costs for those farming leased land due to the corn price "windfall". Farmers in the 2008 season burnt the most expensive diesel fuel ever plowing those fields and harvesting the corn. So costs for the crop this season are at an all time high. But, with the financial meltdown, job losses, fear causing investors to dump stocks, the oil price has tanked and with it has taken down Ethanol. As a result, corn futures are plunging down in price, last time I looked around the $3 level. At that price, there are going to be some widespread major losses in farming and ethanol production.
I would like to see some sanity return to the market and would prefer not to have my Greenfield end up on the scrap heap. It is far more sensible burning corn and extracting 100% of its available energy than wasting half or more of its energy turning it into a "not very good" automotive fuel.
i went through the same dilemma 3 months ago and ended up with a englander 13. 
I took into consideration the price of pellets (on the rise)and the prce of a cord of wood(225). Plus I already had all of the 6 inch stove pipe in storage. I chose wood because: 1. no electric , no rise in electric bill, still heats. 2. I dont like relying on THE MAN to if and when im gonna get my fuel (pellets) and rising cost. 3. I like the look of a real fire dammit!! :coolgrin: 4. wood stove just looks and feels old fashion homey( especially on holidays, ie. thanksgiving , christmas). Well thats my thoughts in a nutshell. ;-)
I took into consideration the price of pellets (on the rise)and the prce of a cord of wood(225). Plus I already had all of the 6 inch stove pipe in storage. I chose wood because: 1. no electric , no rise in electric bill, still heats. 2. I dont like relying on THE MAN to if and when im gonna get my fuel (pellets) and rising cost. 3. I like the look of a real fire dammit!! :coolgrin: 4. wood stove just looks and feels old fashion homey( especially on holidays, ie. thanksgiving , christmas). Well thats my thoughts in a nutshell. ;-)Before I forget: 5. noisey auger and blower on pellet stove. 6. More parts, more maintence, more chance of failure when you really need it with a pellet stove. :gulp:
Are you home to keep the stove going? Or would you rather set and forget?
Can you get your own firewood or are you buying all your fuel?
I've stayed away from pellets cause I can't make them myself. And I like to be in control of my own heating destiny.
But our schedule allows us to keep the home fires burning all the time.
Can you get your own firewood or are you buying all your fuel?
I've stayed away from pellets cause I can't make them myself. And I like to be in control of my own heating destiny.
But our schedule allows us to keep the home fires burning all the time.
Why not diversify?
I have a wood stove in the basement (1/2 finished - man cave + laundry) but it does a medicore job of heating the main floor (mid-low 60's when cold out). Last winter I picked up the Englander pellet stove for 1/2 price late in the season ($600) and installed it on the main floor. My wife won't run the wood stove and she hates that it keeps them main floor just warm enough to keep the oil off (don't tell her how to adjust the thermostat) which then makes the second floor, all bedrooms, 45-55 when cold out. I like that temp for sleeping but we have several little kids and yadda, yadda, yadda. She loves the pellet stove because it keeps the main and second floor about 70. Now I only run the wood stove when we have people over or it is really cold out, or just for fun. I like having options though. If we loose power I have the wood stove as back up. But for day to day operation the pellet stove is easy as hell. After my latest run in the the splitter I'm thinking I may keep an eye out for someones used stove. Pellet stoves have been selling like crazy, which should lower their resale value in the future.
Good luck.
I have a wood stove in the basement (1/2 finished - man cave + laundry) but it does a medicore job of heating the main floor (mid-low 60's when cold out). Last winter I picked up the Englander pellet stove for 1/2 price late in the season ($600) and installed it on the main floor. My wife won't run the wood stove and she hates that it keeps them main floor just warm enough to keep the oil off (don't tell her how to adjust the thermostat) which then makes the second floor, all bedrooms, 45-55 when cold out. I like that temp for sleeping but we have several little kids and yadda, yadda, yadda. She loves the pellet stove because it keeps the main and second floor about 70. Now I only run the wood stove when we have people over or it is really cold out, or just for fun. I like having options though. If we loose power I have the wood stove as back up. But for day to day operation the pellet stove is easy as hell. After my latest run in the the splitter I'm thinking I may keep an eye out for someones used stove. Pellet stoves have been selling like crazy, which should lower their resale value in the future.
Good luck.
Just because of my low post count doesnt mean I dont know how to manuveur my way around a forum and ask questions. The way I see it my question has as much relevance on the wood side as it does the pellet side. With your 2500+ posts I would have expected a better answer than that Rick! If you read my first few posts all I really wanted to know is if I can expect as much or more heat from a WOOD stove as apposed to a pellet stove.fossil said:
I thought about running my wood and pellet but I really didnt want to put the wood in the basement as I had one down there last year and didnt seem to draw well for some reason. I really didnt like that installation. I would have to take my pellet out of the living room and replace it with my wood. I have another pellet already in the basement anyway. My wife has been home with the kids for the past few years but is going back to work part time this coming year and will not be home from 8-430..Im not sure of the burn time for an ACD24 but I know my whitfield will last all day and then some. I have all the free wood I can cut but buying pellets will cost me 225/ton and will probably use 2-3 ton/yr Im guessing as this is my first full year using pellets. If the wood stove doesnt heat better than my pellet I will probably leave the wood in the shop.staplebox said:
JustWood
Minister of Fire
DIVERSIFY 
!! Wood, Wood, Wood, WOOD, WOOD ,WOOD, WOOD, WOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDD ! BOOOOOOOOYYAAAAAAAAAAHHH!! :coolgrin:
!! Wood, Wood, Wood, WOOD, WOOD ,WOOD, WOOD, WOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDD ! BOOOOOOOOYYAAAAAAAAAAHHH!! :coolgrin:
I had a pellet stove, and I thought it was the best thing ever made! When the cost of pellets kept creeping up and they got hard to find I had to make a change! At that time they were $3 a bag, gas was about $3 a day, It was a wash... Now I have a Jotul 500 and with half a load it puts out more heat than a pellet stove ever thought about throwing With the economy the way it is they could stop producing pellets any time. I can always go pick up limbs off the ground if I had to. ( or furniture if it came to it) HaHA
With the economy the way it is they could stop producing pellets any time. I can always go pick up limbs off the ground if I had to. ( or furniture if it came to it) HaHAdrtnshtr said:
I sincerely apologize for my somewhat flippant response. "Post counts" don't mean beans to me...I'm no "smarter" than you are. Anybody's question is as valid as anyone else's. Sorry I don't have any sort of definitive answer for you. Again, I apologize. Good luck. Rick
Rick, Its really no big deal I just have the opinion of if you have nothing good to add then dont add anything. trust me I am on a few different forums as I have hobbys and have a couple that I have been a member of for many years and have seen alot on them. I dont get rowled up about much and I probably shoulda added a smiley to the end of my post as I didnt mean anything bad by ya. Thanks for the replyfossil said:
Im not real familiar with that stove but will do some research and compare it to my ACD24 to see how mine would stack up to it. Is your 1400 sq ft all one floor? if not what do you do to heat 2nd floor? does it have a blower?webby3650 said:I had a pellet stove, and I thought it was the best thing ever made! When the cost of pellets kept creeping up and they got hard to find I had to make a change! At that time they were $3 a bag, gas was about $3 a day, It was a wash... Now I have a Jotul 500 and with half a load it puts out more heat than a pellet stove ever thought about throwing
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