How To Increase The Temperature Of A Pellet Stove

Pellet stoves are becoming a popular heating option to supplement central air conditioning systems. They operate more like a furnace than a traditional wood fireplace and can help save on utility costs. But how can a pellet stove be made to burn hotter? We did some research to bring you the answer.

Here are some tips for making your pellet stove burn hotter:

• Make use of high-quality pellets.
• Make changes to the airflow.
• Increase the heat output.
• Clean the stove.
• Increase the blower speed.

The brand and model of the stove will have a significant impact on how hot it can burn. Furthermore, the heating temperature of the stove can be affected by its settings, pellets, and specific features. Continue reading to learn how to adjust the settings to your preferred temperature.

How To Make Your Pellet Stove Burn Hotter

Make Use Of High-Quality Pellets

The pellets you use can have a big impact on how hot your pellet stove gets.

All pellets are not created equal, and quality can have a significant impact on how much heat can be extracted from them and the overall level of heat production.

Lower quality pellets have a higher moisture and ash content, making them more difficult to burn.

As a result, they emit less heat than a high-quality pellet. Higher-quality pellets, on the other hand, have lower moisture and ash content, resulting in more heat than they can release and a longer burning time.

Of course, you’ll want to know what pellets the manufacturer recommends, as getting the right pellets for the stove is critical.

Some manufacturers, for example, may require that you only use pellets that meet specific specifications (and classes). High-quality pellets must adhere to stricter quality, moisture content, and added chemical guidelines.

Make Airflow Changes

Increased oxygen levels in the pellet stove can also result in faster and hotter-burning pellets. Some pellet stove models include a damper that can be adjusted manually to control airflow. Opening the damper results in a faster and hotter flame in a short period of time.

However, some models include an automatic airflow control button that allows you to improve the combustion in the blower immediately. As a result, the heating is faster than with manually controlled dampers.

Increase The Heat Output

Simply increasing the heat setting on the stove will raise the temperature at which the pellet stove burns.

This setting can be found on the control panel on the side of most modern pellet stoves. Touch screen controls are available on some stoves.

They can also change the temperature and other parameters. It may take some trial and error to find the best setting for the stove. The size of the room also has an impact on which setting is best. Surprisingly, for larger rooms, the highest setting isn’t always recommended.

Clean The Stove

Cleaning out the stove will also improve heat output. It’s best to clean the stove on a regular basis to keep the auger clear of pellets and debris and the unit running smoothly.

If the pellet stove is not kept clean, it will produce less heat and be less efficient than it was originally.

It’s also a good idea to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations to determine the best frequency for cleaning the stove. Removing debris from the burn pot can help prevent airflow obstructions, which can reduce heat output.

Increase The Speed Of The Blower

You can also raise the temperature of the pellet stove by increasing the speed of the blower. This will improve heat dispersion from the pellets, allowing them to be distributed more easily inside the stove.

As the blowers move, the fan speed increases, as does the amount of heat emitted by the stove.

You can increase both the blower and the heat settings at the same time, or just the blower setting. The settings for the blower speed can be found on the side of the pellet stove or on the digital control panel.

Some modern stoves may also have an auto feature that allows you to more easily control the blower at specific times of day.

Why Is My Pellet Stove Not Getting Hot Enough?

The Cooktop Is Filthy
One of the most common reasons for your pellet stove not producing enough heat is that it is dirty.

The airflow through the stove will be restricted if the fans are clogged with ashes or the burn chamber is clogged with debris. Airflow is required for maximum heat output, and when it is restricted, the stove burns fewer pellets.

A shop vacuum can be used to clean the grille of your pellet stove. Sweep the ashes from the bottom of the pot and clean out the flue and other components with a small broom.

It’s also a good idea to remove the housing from the auger and clean it now to get rid of any grime that has accumulated inside. It’s also worth noting that you can have your stove serviced by a professional for $75 to $150.

The Damper Should Be Adjusted
If the damper is set to restrict airflow, the stove will not operate at full capacity. This is usually noticeable when the flame burns a lazy orange color instead of white.

You must manually adjust the airflow or change the setting on the control board to increase it. For maximum heat output, make the flame about one-third the height of the pot’s chamber.

The Fan Speed Is Insufficient
A low fan speed may also be causing your pellet stove to burn at a slower rate. This is especially noticeable when it is windy or below 30 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

On the control board or display, you can adjust the fan speed. You may need to adjust the fan speed in addition to the heat output at times, though these settings will vary depending on the model and stove type.

You’re Using Subpar Pellets
Finally, consider the type of pellets you’re employing. It is preferable to use pellets made entirely of wood, as pellets containing fillers are typically of lower quality.

Pellets of lower quality will retain more moisture and burn at lower temperatures. Though higher-quality pellets are more expensive, you will save money because you will need fewer pellets to keep the fire burning at maximum output.

Is It True That Some Pellets Burn Hotter Than Others?

Absolutely. In fact, softwood pellets produce far more heat than hardwood pellets. Overall, softwood pellets have lower ash levels and moisture levels (and higher lignin concentrations). They can burn at BTUs that are 10-21% higher than hardwood pellets on average.

This also means that there will be less ash in the bottom of the burn pot, which will require less cleaning.

However, there are hardwood and softwood pellets of sufficient quality to ensure a good burn rate. The distinction will be in the manufacturing process and the region from which the wood was obtained.

How Do You Change The Temperature On A Pellet Stove?

A pellet stove’s heat can be adjusted by adjusting the blower speed, damper settings, and pellet usage. The exact procedure will differ depending on the make and model of your pellet stove. You should, however, be able to adjust the settings using the controls and damper rod.

What Are The Best Pellet Stove Settings?

It depends on the type and model of stove you have, as well as the size of the room you are attempting to heat. It is also affected by the current outside temperature. It is often preferable to run the heater on a low setting, such as two or three, rather than a higher setting, such as four or five.

These settings reduce the unit’s efficiency and can cause it to cycle from pilot to increased fire mode too frequently. When the stove is set to a lower temperature, it can steadily raise the temperature of the home and maintain it for longer periods of time.

You’ll also notice that the heater stays warmer longer, reducing the number of pellets you need to use.

Conclusion

It may take some getting used to using a pellet stove at first. However, once you understand how the heat settings work, you’ll find it to be relatively simple to use. If you want to increase the heat output, try increasing the airflow, adding more pellets, or adjusting the damper settings on the oven.