Category: Kitchen

Burning wood for heat in the colder months can be a very affordable way to stay warm. It can also be a real pain in the neck if you have to manually split and store your own wood. This is where the best log splitter can provide you with some affordable relief. Just place your wood into the machine, let it operate, and you’ll effortless be able to split the wood you need for warmth.

Now if only there was an automatic wood stacker that could work with this product.

The Best Chart for Log Splitters

Log splitters come in many different shapes, sizes, and capacities. You might even see them called a cradle, a wedge, or even a dislodger instead of a splitter. We’ve eliminated the confusion by putting together the top-rated log splitters in the chart below for review, no matter what name or label might be associated with the product.

What Is a Log Splitter and Why Do I Need One?

It’s been said that splitting wood with an axe can “build character.” If you’re splitting wood for heat and have a number of other chores that need to be done, then it’s better to work smarter instead of harder. This is where the best log splitter makes for a tremendous investment.

You place the log which needs to be split into the splitter. Then you start the unit’s cycle. The splitter will then chop the wood for you.

Now the most affordable log splitters do tend to require some manual strength in order to operate. You’ll need to pull levers and use the power of leverage to your advantage. It’s still easier than hefting an axe on a repetitive basis.

How to Find the Best Log Splitter for Me

When you’re looking for a log splitter, your choice often comes down to the total tonnage of the unit. A 30+ ton log splitter can take on a wood diameter of 24 inches and a hardness rating of 2,200 pounds. In comparison, a 4-ton log splitter can handle a wood diameter of 6 inches and a hardness rating of 600 pounds or less.

That means to find the best log splitter, you need to consider the type of wood and the log size that you’ll be needing to split. Here are some reference points for you to consider.

• All softwoods have a hardness rating below 1,000 pounds. Basswood, Aspen, and Cottonwood have a hardness rating below 500 pounds. Pine and Sweet Gum have the largest hardness ratings, each just under 900 pounds.
• Most hardwoods have a hardness rating above 1,000 pounds. The only exception to this rule is Cedar, which has a hardness rating of 900 pounds.
• Dogwood is the hardest common wood used for burning. It’s hardness rating is at 2,150 pounds.

The reason why this information is useful is because it takes more tonnage out of your wood splitter to work with wood that has a higher hardness rating. Here’s an example: at 6-inches in diameter, a 4-ton wood splitter can handle wood with a hardness rating of up to 600. If the wood is rated up to 900 pounds, then a 6-ton wood splitter is necessary. If you have 6-inch Dogwood that needs to be split, then you’d need a 10-ton wood splitter.

Size also matters. If the wood you’re splitting is 24-inches in diameter, then the minimum tonnage for your wood splitter must be 27 tons. The benefit of a 27-ton splitter is that it can work for all softwoods and Cedar.

What Are the Features of the Best Log Splitters?

The tonnage a log splitter can handle is only one feature that needs to be considered. There is also the motor horsepower, the cycle time of the unit, and even the manufacturer of these components to consider. Pump size, hydraulic fluid capacity, and the physical size of the motor may also be important.

Here’s why these features need to be considered.

• High tonnage log splitters with low costs have slow cycle times. You can find off-brand high tonnage splitters that are very affordable, but their cycle time is so slow that it might take 5 minutes just to split one of your logs.
• High tonnage log splitters with low costs can also have very fast cycle times. Some manufacturers also offer cycle times that are way too fast for the logs being used. You’re not going to split Dogwood in 3-5 seconds, no matter how good the log splitter happens to be. Even if it can work that fast, you’re probably not going to be working that fast.
• Warranties are often associated with personal use. If you are over-using your log splitter based on its cycle time, then you might unintentionally void your warranty. On the other extreme, if you have a cycle time that you are under-utilizing because it is so fast, then you’re paying for something that you don’t actually need.

You’ll also notice in the best log splitter reviews that there are electric log splitters and gas-powered log splitters. Some will split logs horizontally, while others require vertical splitting. Some of this is personal preference, but higher tonnage log splitters tend to work better when they are gas-powered. Anything that is rated at 12-tons or above should be gas-powered if you plan to use the splitter on a regular basis.

Machine-mounted splitters and kinetic log splitters are also specialty options that may be suitable for some homeowners.

What Are the Prices of the Best Log Splitters?

Cost is difficult to judge when looking at the best log splitters. Some low tonnage units may cost more than $2,000, while high tonnage units might be less than that. You must compare the quality of the motor, the presence of features, and the tonnage rating together in conjunction with the type of wood you are splitting to find the best possible price.

Best case scenario? You spend less than $2,500. Some homeowners might be able to spend between $500-$1,000 to get a great unit. Low-cost options below $500 might also work in specific situations.

Read Our Reviews

WEN 6-Ton Electric

We really loved how reliable this little electrical unit happen to be. It works on household current, so it really is a plug-and-play splitter. Just don’t use an extension cord with this model unless you absolutely have to do so – it changes the performance of the splitter. We found log sizes of about 20 inches would still work with this model, but only with the softer woods. Our best experience came with testing it indoors. Give it a try and your back will thank you.

Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on this log splitter.

Kindling Cracker

This isn’t a high-powered log splitter by any means. It’s more of a kindling maker than anything else. It’s good for creating those small bits of wood that you sometimes need to get the fire going. You can attach to this a standard mallet securely and be able to make some of the firewood you need without a hatchet or a blade around. It’s a good solution for those where a fully automatic log splitter isn’t an option, but you also want to do less manual work in splitting your logs.

Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on this log splitter.

Powerhouse XM-380

This 3HP log splitter gives you 7-tons of support for your firewood. It’s light enough to be portable, but still offers you some of the strength that a gas-powered unit could provide even though it is electrical. We found logs about 18-20 inches were its maximum capacity in terms of length – about 12 inches was all it could handle from a diameter standpoint. It did great with soft woods and reasonably well with cedar. Overall we found the results to be very positive and highly recommend this unit.

Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on this log splitter.

Boss Industrial

This electric log splitter has some good things working for it. It has a push-button start so that virtually anyone can use this unit. It really only takes one hand to work the splitter as well, so you feel like you’re using 50% of energy resources. There’s an automatic ram return and a high-quality hydraulic system as well. It’s the power of the motor that disappointed us. It takes a little extra time to split logs on this unit compared to others, but the overall construction of the unit is more durable. Check it out – this could be the best log splitter for you.

Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on this log splitter.

Champion Power Equipment

This log splitter gets everything right. The 20-second cycle time lets you work quickly but at your own pace. The wedge is skewed better than on other models as well, which gives you a cleaner split on your logs. A 2-year warranty supports this model, with technical support included, and the low profile design is nice for efficient log processing. The tires are never-flat, which makes them tough to use in certain landscapes, but that’s really our only complaint. It gets the job done.

Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on this log splitter.

The best log splitter will make fast work of your firewood needs. Make the investment today and you’ll be able to put that axe away for good.

Before you clean your fireplace glass, make sure you check your owner’s manual for any manufacturer recommendations. Some warranties can be voided by cleaning the glass the wrong way. Follow any instructions that are provided.

If your fireplace is out of warranty or there aren’t any instructions, then here is the best way to clean fireplace glass effectively and affordably.

If You Need to Remove Soot from Your Fireplace Glass

The best way to remove soot from fireplace glass is to use a specific cleaner that is intended to get the job done. You can use an ammonia/water combination if you wish, but these products work more effectively without the need to have proper ventilation.

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You can also use a chemical-free approach to cleaning your glass. Just use some newspaper, get it a little wet, and apply some of your fireplace ash to the glass. Scrub until it becomes clean.

Sometimes the reason why the glass is dirty is because the interior fire isn’t hot enough to burn away all residues. You may wish to start a very hot fire to remove as much of the residue as possible before starting the cleaning process.

If You Need to Clean Cloudy Glass

If your fireplace glass has become cloudy and yellow due to the buildup of contaminants within the fire box, then you’ll need to have an acidic cleaner that can break through that often sticky, gummy stuff. Natural cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice are often promoted as an effective way to restore the appearance of the glass.

We like these products to help restore the appearance of glass within a fireplace.

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Just apply these glass cleaners as directed by the product. If you have tough spots on your glass that just won’t come off, then leave the glass wet with the cleaner. Apply a paper towel to that wet area so that it sticks to the glass. Then leave it there for 10-15 minutes. Scrub the spot clean. Repeat as necessary.

Tips to Make Sure You Stay Safe While Cleaning Fireplace Glass

• Always make sure the glass being cleaned is cool to the touch.
• Never mix bleach products with ammonia cleaners.
• Many cleaners can contain flammable items, so keep them away from a fire box that may contain hot coals.
• Be prepared to use considerable efforts if scrubbing glass clean that has had 6+ months of build-up which needs to be removed.
• Do not use abrasives when cleaning the glass unless there is no other way to remove stains or spots. Abrasives can scratch the glass and decrease its overall structural integrity.
• Always use personal protective equipment when applying fireplace glass cleaners, even when using natural products like vinegar.

With regular care and cleaning, your fireplace glass can give you a beautiful glimpse of the warm fires you create. Use these products and methods to make sure that glass can get clean and then stay that way.

Are you looking for an affordable way to heat a home up to 2,000 square feet in size? Do you want a wood stove that is able to meet EPA clean burning requirements? That’s exactly what you’ll get with this medium sized unit produced by US Stove. It’s a small, compact design that still has the ability to hold up to 21 inch logs with ease. It meets modern clean air standards through 89k BTUs of heat. The included blower is quiet and the price is right. The MSRP on this wood stove is $1,499, but you can save up to 34% on this cost by shopping on a site like Amazon. It’s also eligible for Amazon Prime!

The Features of This US Stove

The primary feature of this wood stove that we liked was the overall size of the firebox. The stove itself is 23.5x27x29 inches in size and a majority of that is reserved for the fire box. There’s a viewing area on the door of this wood stove as well that’s about 13×8 inches and it works with a minimum chimney height of 12 feet. That allows it to work with a wide variety of different home designs.

There’s also these additional features to consider as well:

• the large ash drawer in the base of the unit makes cleaning out this wood stove simple and easy;
• it includes a 3 year warranty from the manufacturer; and
• it is constructed from high gauge steel for a better overall performance.

It’s also nice to see that there’s a rear heat shield on this unit so that you won’t have to give it a ton of space in order to make it work. Although you wouldn’t want to put this wood stove right up against the wall, you can put it into fairly close quarters without worrying about setting a fire.

The Advantages of This US Stove

The primary advantage that we found with this wood stove is the fact that a thermostat comes along with the stove itself. This allows you to quickly set the amount of heat and flame you receive from the stove so the home can always be the right temperature. You do have to do a little work to fully install the unit, but it won’t take too long. Most people will be able to get this wood stove up and running within an hour or so.

If there was one improvement that could be made with this stove, it would be in its ability to prolong the level of heat that it puts out. A full load of logs in this wood stove is only going to last about 6-7 hours, maybe a little longer if you work hard at prolonging it. That could make it a little difficult on cold nights to manage, but overall the price is nice with this stove and you get a quality that is easily twice its price point. For that reason, we strongly recommend taking a look at this wood stove to see if it could meet your needs. Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on the US Stove 2000 Wood Stove.

Are you looking for a quality, high rated wood stove that can easily heat up to 1,100 square feet? Would you love to have a compact wood stove that will give you a consistent, quality burn every time? The Ashley model presented by US Stove has a lot of the traits that you’re going to want in the modern stove. It holds logs up to 16 inches in size and cranks out 67k BTUs while also being EPA Certified to qualify you for potential tax credits. The MSRP of this unit is $829 on Amazon, so it’s priced at the perfect point as well.

State of Washington users, however, cannot purchase this product because it exceeds particle limits.

The Features of the Ashley Model

Weighing in at just 250 pounds, the Ashley Model is a no frills wood stove that will just work hard to heat up your home. It doesn’t have an ash pan, but it does have a draft control above the door that lets you control the heat output quickly and easily. That’s the primary feature we really enjoyed with this model because it gives you the features you need without any of the extra stuff you might not necessarily want.

There’s also these features to consider as well:

• a blower is included with the purchasing price of this wood stove;
• the efficiency rating of this stove is 75%; and
• you’ll get a consistently good draft with the design of this stove.

The one issue that might come up is the fact that this stove doesn’t include any installation materials. You’ll need to make a separate purchase to attach this stove to your existing vent system and you may need to secure the unit to the floor. If you’ve got seasoned firewood, however, you’ll find that the installation efforts are well worth the time!

The Advantages of the Ashley Model

The primary advantage of this wood stove is the quality of the draft and flame control that you receive. It’s definitely one of the best in the market today and you’ll quickly get the hang of bring up the flames when needed. It’s incredibly easy to light and once you get it hot, you pretty much can just throw in your wood and you’re ready to go. The smoke stack even stays fairly cool because of the heat radiating outward.

It’s really difficult to find anything remotely negative to say about this wood stove. If anything, it would be nice if it had an ash tray because you’ve got to take the time to rake out the ash regularly. Sometimes you’ve got to clean the window as well and those are normal chores that come with a wood stove. It’s well built, provides a quality experience, and won’t break your budget to get your home heated consistently. That’s why the Ashley model from US Stove receives our recommendation. Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on the US Stove Ashley Model.

Are you looking for a fireplace insert that will replicate what a cast iron wood stove can do for your home heating needs? Do you want an insert that won’t destroy your savings account to help you begin to save more on your heating needs? With the Vogelzang Colonial, you’ll get one of the best home heating units in the market today that combines efficiency and price. It includes a large hearth for a classic look, heats a home up to 1,800 square feet with ease, and with reinforced plate steel will still stay cool enough to the touch. It’s price right: just $1,123 on Amazon!

The Features of the Vogelzang Colonial

The primary feature that we really love about this fireplace insert is the adjustable air intake lever that is on the right hand side of the unit, above the door. Unlike other inserts that require adjustments through the handle, you’ll be able to quickly and easily adjust the amount of airwash your fire is getting with a cool to the touch handle.

There’s also these additional features to consider with this fireplace insert:

• it has a large ceramic glass window that is 16×9” to let you enjoy the romantic flickering of flames on a cool evening;
• it has the power to burn a full load of wood for up to 8 hours on just one fueling; and
• this insert meets all low emissions standards with an output of just 4.02 grams per hour.

With a BTU rating of 69k and a unit that is more than 75% efficient, you’ll also qualify for US Federal tax breaks with the purchase of this unit for your home. It is fairly lightweight at 265 pounds, but it is heavy on the value that you’ll receive.

The Advantages of the Vogelzang Colonial

The primary advantage of the Vogelzang Colonial fireplace insert is also one of its disadvantages, depending on what your perspective happens to be. This unit is a bit smaller than other inserts, so it works with fireplaces that may not normally accept a more traditional insert. On the other hand, larger fireplaces may need a little extra help during the installation process because of its size. This means you may need a little extra time to get the insert hot, but then it will really start to heat up the home.

As with any new fireplace insert, it will be to your advantage to fire it outside before installing it if you have the ability to do so. If you install it directly before your first burn, then your home will have something like a new car smell, combined with burning plastic, until the insert becomes seasoned against the flames.

Overall, however, this unit has the ability to provide you with a quality heating experience for a quality price. You’ll get the tax credit in the US, you’ll get a nice bed of hot coals to keep your home warm all season, and with seasoned wood, it will burn all night long for you. For those reasons, this fireplace insert receives our recommendation.

Get your Vogelzang Wood Burning Fireplace Insert
on Amazon

Are you looking to heat a small home with a wood stove? Would you like to have a wood stove that will let you easily see the quality of the fire that you have without having to lose heat by opening the door? With the Vogelzang Defender, you’ll get a wood stove that can easily heat up to 1,200 square feet for several hours. It’s made from 3/16” reinforced plate steel, has a firebrick lining to insulate the heat, and comes with a large ceramic glass window that’s 14.5×8” to let you see inside with just a glance. The MSRP of this stove is $826, but you can save up to 15% on this price just by shopping on a website like Amazon.

The Features of the Vogelzang Defender

The primary feature we really liked with this wood stove is the design of the air inlet. The primary inlet is at the front of the stove and it works to help you do the initial lighting. Once you get the wood burning and the stove starts heating up, there’s a secondary inlet at the rear of the stove. This feeds air through 3 ignition tubes that are right on top of the fire and lets you get a quality heating result as the wood is fully consumed.

There’s also these additional features to consider as well:

• this wood stove is pretty easy to install, coming with legs that must be attached before you finalize the installation;
• it is strong enough to heat homes with larger ceilings; and
• the ash hole in the bottom of the stove with an ash pan makes it very easy to clean out this stove on a regular basis.

If you’re tired of all the mess that comes with your old wood stove, then this is the upgrade you’ve been thinking about getting. It gives you a beautiful fire that can last all night, warm your entire home if you have a smaller home, and still provide you with over 75% efficiency.

The Advantages of the Vogelzang Defender

The primary advantage that you’ll receive with this wood stove is its cost. For less than what most people will pay over the course of a winter, you’ll be able to purchase a brand new stove and the wood to burn through it. Every consecutive year you will then pay about 20% of what normal gas or electrical heated homes will pay. It’s even cost-effective when compared to pellet stoves because of its design!

If you are having some problems with this unit’s installation, the door can be easily removed so that you can haul it down steps or place it in whatever room it is needed. The firebricks are also able to come out to take some of the weight out of the installation process as well. In return, you’ll get a steel wood stove that over-performs at this price point! Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on the Vogelzang TR001 Defender Wood Stove.

Are you looking for a wood stove that is tight and compact? Do you want to have one of the cleanest burning wood stoves on the market today? If so, then the best wood stove for you just might be the Vogelzang Durango. Instead of it being a wide wood stove that is short vertically, it is designed to hold up to 26 inch logs with a slim, vertical design. This will help it fit into tighter spaces, yet won’t jut out enough that it could cause you a problem. Able to heat up to 1,500 square feet with ease, the MSRP on Amazon of $1,099 seems like a pretty good deal!

The Features of the Vogelzang Durango

The primary feature of this wood stove is the turbo burn technology that Vogelzang has included with this design. It makes a good heating experience because there are a series of re-burn tubes within the firebox that have been cross-drilled to improve air flow. You’ll get a secondary level of air at the top of the firebox that improves the overall combustion rate and extends the amount of burn time that you’ll receive.

There’s also these additional features to consider as well:

• it has one of the lowest emissions rates on the market today for a wood stove at just 3.6 grams per hour;
• it is incredibly easy to light, despite it being an airtight firebox design; and
• it may qualify you for a local tax break depending on your specific community conditions.

If there was one improvement that could be made with this stove, it is with the blower. If you need the blower to distribute the air, you’ll find that you may struggle to reach the 1,500 feet of heating that is claimed. If you’re using equipment already installed in your home, then you might find even better distribution.

The Advantages of the Vogelzang Durango

The primary advantage that we noticed with this wood stove is the fact that it uses less wood than most other stoves to heat a home. Much less wood, in fact, to the point where you can potentially get through with just 1 or 2 cords for the entire cold season. The combustion gas is directed by a fiberglass panel that may take a little routine maintenance to keep in good condition and combined, the stove is able to be more than 75% efficient.

You will need to do regular maintenance on this wood stove to keep it working well. If you can keep up with the maintenance work, this stove will last for several years without much of an issue. The one thing we didn’t like so much about this stove was that there was no ash pan to collect the leftover debris, so you’ll need to get in there and clean out the grate regularly. That’s a good time to do the regular maintenance on the unit, however, so all in all it’s a push.

If space is tight and so is your budget, this could be the best wood stove on the market for you. That’s why we recommend taking a look at it today. Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on the Vogelzang TR008 Durango Wood Stove.

Are you looking for a small, yet effective wood stove to heat your home? Do you want a cast iron stove that can hold logs that are up to 20 inches in size? The Vogelzang Lil Sweetie just might be the best product to meet your needs today! It can efficiently heat up to 600 square feet with ease and it’s compact design lets it have a 96k BTU rating. It’s perfect for a cabin, barn, or workshop or could supplement the heat in a room of your home. Best of all, the price on Amazon is extremely nice at just $232.33.

The Features of the Vogelzang Lil Sweetie

The primary feature of this wood stove is the way it is designed. It’s perfect for that cabin out in the woods because there is a large enough surface on top of the stove that will let you cook. The handle stays fairly cool to the touch and the door has a cam-lock latch so you don’t have to worry about it springing open. If you’re on the West Coast, however, you’re not going to be able to take advantage of this deal because it doesn’t meet emissions standards for Washington, Oregon, or California.

You do have these additional features to consider with this product if you do qualify for its purchase:

• it’s small enough that one person can handle the installation of it, weighing in right around 60 pounds in total;
• the assembly of this wood stove is incredibly simple and can be completed in less than an hour; and
• it burns the wood you feed it extremely efficiently.

It’s important to realize that this isn’t generally going to be a whole home heating stove in most situations. It is a heating and cooking stove that will quickly consume the wood, especially since there aren’t any fire bricks with it. You could prolong the heating life of this stove by installing your own bricks if you wish.

The Advantages of the Vogelzang Lil Sweetie

The primary advantage of this wood stove is its cost. It’s extremely affordable and will quickly heat any room you put it in. You’ll need to have it be double vented, however, because of the extreme output it has. You’ll need to route it through a chimney if that is possible, otherwise you’re going to be cutting a hole through your exterior wall. For some users, that might be a dealbreaker if they don’t have a chimney or an exhaust output, but otherwise this is a pretty sturdy little stove.

If there was one thing that could be improved with this stove, it would be nice if it came with a heat shield. It puts out a lot of heat, so you’ll want to keep it away from the walls. It might work in some mobile homes if there’s enough clearance space, but it is primarily designed for the cabin or barn that you want to have heated. It’s tough to find a better deal at this price point, which is why the Lil Sweetie gets our recommendation. Click here to view prices on Amazon and get a great deal on the Vogelzang BX22EL Lil Sweetie Cast Iron Stove.

Do you want the ease and convenience of a pellet stove for your home? Do you want a unit that has the power to heat up to 2,000 square feet with ease? With this bay view pellet stove by Bay Front SDS, you’ll get the visual aesthetics of a fire you love with the heating ease of a 50 pound pellet hopper. It comes loaded with features that you don’t often find at this price range, although high efficiency pellets are the only ones recommended for this unit. The MSRP of this pellet stove is $2,295, but you’ll be able to save over $600 by shopping on a website like Amazon.

The Features of the Bay Front SDS Pellet Stove

The best feature that you’ll find on this pellet stove is the digital thermostat controller. This allows you to be able to quickly adjust the warmth of your room and your home with one-touch ease. This is combined with an electric ignition process so you won’t have to worry about creating a bed of coals to keep your stove firing with strong heat either. Backed by a 1 year warranty for service and parts, you’ll get 33k BTUs of heat output that is consistent.

There’s also these features to consider as well:

• a high temperature automatic switch-off feature will turn off the fire within your stove when temperatures reach 200F;
• if the power goes out, the stove will automatically restart if the unit exhaust is above 120F; and
• with an ash drawer in the bottom, it’s easy to clean out this pellet stove, especially if you have a Shop-Vac around to help.

This pellet stove is a fully automated unit. You set the times and temperatures that you want for your home to be heated and it turns on. The blower is also automated so you’ll always receive the proper amount of heat for your home with this unit.

The Advantages of the Bay Front SDS Pellet Stove

The primary advantage that you’ll find with this unit is that when equipped with a hearth pad, it will even work on combustible floors with ease. You can reduce the pellet distribution amount to reduce heat output as well, allowing you to be able to install this stove virtually anywhere in your home with ease. You’ll want to give it a little extra clearance from a combustible wall than some other units, but overall it’s a versatile stove.

The one issue we can see some folks having with this stove is that the venting attachments are just a bit smaller than what you’d get with a standard-sized unit. You or your preferred installation professional may need to tinker just a bit with your adapters to finalize the installation. To get the pipe to go on all the way, you may also need to disassemble the back of the unit, depending on your specific venting needs.

Overall, however, for the price of this pellet stove, you’re definitely getting a great deal! You’ll have a lot of versatility to meet your heating needs thanks to this stove’s features and that allows you to save on your heating bills. There’s a lot of value in this investment and that’s why it receives our recommendation.

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If you have a furnace that operates on wood pellets, then it can be somewhat difficult to find the high quality pellets you need to stay warm at times. Wood pellets require a certain level of denseness in order to be an effective heat source and unfortunately you aren’t always able to find reliable pellets available for sale online. This means you’ll need to know how to find the best wood pellets that can be found in your area.

Here are the steps that you’ll want to take to make sure you’re getting the best product at the best price locally.

1. Stop by your local farm supply store first. The best wood pellets tend to come from local suppliers. This is because the pellet itself can be damaged during the shipping process. Local products tend to be in greater demand through your local farm supply store, so make this the first stop you make. The pricing might be a little higher than you anticipate, even if you’re purchasing your pellets in bulk, but the quality will help you make back that extra expense over the course of a year because your burn will be more consistent.

2. Calculate the per-pound rates from national chain stores. You typically won’t find bulk wood pellets available at your local hardware chain store or home improvement center. You will find single bags of pellets that weigh between 20-60 pounds in most circumstances. You must be careful when shopping at these stores for two reasons: the pellets can be very expensive per-pound and the pellets might be designed for grilling instead of heating. Always ask for the “best fuel pellets” to avoid this issue.

3. Know your wood. Certain types of pellets just burn better than others. Many pellets are made from a compression process which may utilize several different types of wood. Some are made from a single type of wood. Check for public reviews on the brand of pellets you prefer for real customer experiences to get a glimpse of what kind of burn you could expect from each type of pellet offered.

4. Check the manufacturer’s ratings on your furnace. Some wood pellet stoves or furnaces require a specific type of pellet in order to operate efficiently. If you use the wrong type of pellet, then you may have increased soot levels, shorter burn times, inconsistent temperatures, or all of the above. If you’re not sure what pellets to purchase, then check the owner’s manual for a specific recommendation or contact the customer service department of the stove/furnace maker.

5. Understand the shipping process. If you’re purchasing wood pellets online, then the weight of your product becomes an important consideration. Heavier weights always cost more to ship, especially over longer distances. If your product is coming from the other side of your country, you might find yourself paying more in shipping charges than the actual product price. Look for options through Amazon Prime or other providers where free shipping may be available.

Knowing how to find the best wood pellets will help you be able to stay warm and comfortable no matter how cold it happens to be outside. The next time you need to restock on pellets, consider this guide to make sure you get the best pellets at the best price.

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