NOTE: It is much easier to remove fines from pellets before they are placed in the stove
than it is to service your stove for a plugged hopper, jammed auger or plugged exhaust
system. Pellets with excessive sawdust may be
screened
to remove most of the fines.
Pellet screeners may be built or purchased from most pellet stove dealers.
NOTE: Because Dansons Group Inc. and Canadian Comfort Industries have no control over the quality
of pellets that you use, we assume no liability caused by issues relating to the quality of chosen pellets.
DEFINITIONS
ASH
Ash is a natural product of burning wood. As the amount of ash in the wood increases, the
amount of ash left behind after burning high-ash wood pellets will increase.
High quality pellets will produce less ash and fewer
clinkers
than lower quality pellets.
PFI PELLET STANDARDS
For the Pellet Fuel Institute (PFI), standards for residential quality pellets are as follows:
Find out more at
www.pelletheat.org
Length:
Diameter:
Fines:
Salts:
Ash Content:
- Premium Quality
- Standard Quality
1.5 inches maximum
0.235 to 0.350 inches
(approx. 1/4” to 3/8”)
.2 lb maximum per 40 lb bag
0.005% by weight maximum
0.75% by weight maximum
(0.3 lb per 40 lb of pellets)
2.5% by weight maximum
(1 lb per 40 lb of pellets)
CLINKER
Clinkers are solid, glassy or porous accumulations of incombustible matter that may result
from burning some types of wood pellets. Clinkers are formed at the bottom of the burn
grate and, if left undisturbed, will build up and cut off combustion air. As clinkers grow, the
fire becomes orange/brown and ‘lazy’. Pellets may build up in the burn grate, the firebox
& window may become sooty, and exhaust gases may become smoky.
FINES
Fines are pieces of sawdust that were not properly formed or are the result of pellets
breaking down during handling, transporting and storage. Fines adversely affect the
operation and heat production of pellet appliances, and they greatly increase the
requirements for general cleaning and maintenance. Fines cause pellets to feed more
slowly, thus reducing the amount of heat produced at any given heat setting.
WOOD
WOOD
PELLET FUEL
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