Do wood pellets cause corrosion in regular woodstove pipe? Or just corn?

[mar13]

When doing some quick research for an internet-less neighbor who is thinking of switching from wood to pellets, I stumbled upon the following line on the internet: "Secondly, can you use regular stove pipe for pellet? Never use "regular" single wall or double wall stove pipe for pellet stoves or inserts. Burning pellets causes a more corrosive environment and "regular" stove pipe will not last. " ( Can you use a wood stove chimney for a pellet stove? (askinglot.com) )

That worried me some as I've been trying to burn off a bag of pellets a bit at a time in my woodstove (a cupful when starting a fire or a sprinkle of some on coals during a re-light).

I can't find anything else on the internet about that other than corn can be corrosive. I was assuming that wood pellets are just mini sawdust logs.

 

[begreen]

That is not really a woodstove site. I'd like the source for the claim of the pellet smoke being more corrosive. It's not uncommon for a pellet stove to be connected to a stainless liner. I would not worry about your usage.

 

[mar13]

That is not really a woodstove site. I'd like the source for the claim of the pellet smoke being more corrosive. It's not uncommon for a pellet stove to be connected to a stainless liner. I would not worry about your usage.

Thanks. Another case of don't always believe what you read on the internet. I was suspect if its validity.

 

[bholler]

Thanks. Another case of don't always believe what you read on the internet. I was suspect if its validity.

You shouldn't use regular stove pipe for pellet stoves but only because the vent is pressurized unlike a woodstove where it is under vacuum. Regular stove pipe will leak smoke pellet vent seals better. Pellet exhaust is not more corrosive.