Question to the Pellet Kings

[coolnuke]

so i have the below stove in my profile. i also do a lot of wood working so i happen to have a 18" planner. this planner produces a large offshot, not really saw dust more like saw chips. is there a good reason not to mix the chips with the pellets i usually burn? i dont have enough to run the stove on chips but i dont see any harm to mix them in. lets here from the experts.

 

[dozerdean]

so i have the below stove in my profile. i also do a lot of wood working so i happen to have a 18" planner. this planner produces a large offshot, not really saw dust more like saw chips. is there a good reason not to mix the chips with the pellets i usually burn? i dont have enough to run the stove on chips but i dont see any harm to mix them in. lets here from the experts.

I read a post on here some time ago about someone mixing pellets with wood chips. I posted a reply to him about this but never got a reply..

 

[Ssyko]

I read that same thread, nothing says the next time the hopper is empty you cant put 5 pounds of pellets and a pound of shavings in and try it. I would if i worked in wood.

 

[bags]

Many times I throw in nut shells etc; but mainly open the door and toss them into the pot.

My concern would be the slim shavings getting caught in between the auger and tube binding it up. Some planer shavings can get thin. If it was me I would give it a go by mixing some in. Many are curled, chunky, and so forth.

I think it would work and they would definitely burn. Much depends on how they would take the ride. I'd almost be willing to try a 50/50 mix just to see. But being a guinea pig comes with a slight calculated risk.

 

[coolnuke]

thinking of actually doing just that. just want to see if the Pellet experts had any reason for not doing .

 

[h2ochild]

If it matters, that would probably invalidate the warranty.

 

[Monica in France]

Interesting idea.
I read somewhere that you can buy a DIY pellet maker for a reasonable price.

What is the humidity in your wood chips , good pellets are rated at 7% or so.
A local guy I know who supplies wood chips for furnaces , he dries them first.
Burns the bottom of an enormous stack to dry the rest.
I think he burns 10% of the pile to have a usable product.
One customer is reputed to have a basement the size of a swimming pool to store them in.

 

[johneh]

The material that runs through my Planner and jointer is
6 to 8 % MC only because I use it for cabinet making (furniture)
and it has to be that low . Use it in my pellet stove probably not
to much dust involved . No control on chip size . would burn way to fast
No I would not put it in my stove . I have added some nut shell and they
work just fine

 

[alternativeheat]

I have a planer too and trash bags full of wood chips from it, ranging from cherry to maple, oak. I've considered trying to burn them but this P61 I have will burn about anything really. I don't know your stove, pretty sure mine will do it but never think of it when filling the stove. I will say that I don't relish the thought of tearing the stove down in January if it all backfires LOL. Maybe experiment in a warmer season, like March or April, they aren't too far off now really if you think about it. Hah, March 1 is closer ahead than Thanksgiving is behind us, NICE !

 

[coolnuke]

kind of what i was tinking. might try a bucket full mixed with regular pellets in March

 

[alternativeheat]

kind of what i was tinking. might try a bucket full mixed with regular pellets in March

I might but it's more likely they and the table saw saw dust that I also have bagged up will end up in the burning brush pile come late winter early spring. This stupid town cuts burning around April 15 right when I get more inclined to go out there and burn for a day or two. This year I will have to shove myself out the door so I don't miss the burn season.