How to Buy Wood Pellet Baskets

Wood pellets

Wood pellets are composed of leftover wood particles and residue. The material is compacted into pellets that you can use for fuel. You can use a wood pellet basket to burn wood pellets in your existing fireplace instead of regular wood. By planning for all the ways in which you want to use your wood pellet basket and the frequency with which you will be using it, you can buy a wood pallet basket that will be suitable for your particular needs.

Instructions

1. Plan where you will use the basket. Some baskets are designed specifically for both indoor and outdoor use, while other baskets are designed exclusively to be used indoors. Choose an indoor/outdoor basket if you want added flexibility.

2. Choose a basket material. Wood pellet baskets are manufactured from materials such as heavy gauge metal, stainless steel and cast iron. Cast iron baskets may be heavier to move or clean while stainless steel and metal baskets generally weigh less. Also, consider choosing a material that matches other parts of your fireplace.

3. Choose a basket construction. The basket and its base may be attached by bolts, may be formed as a curved wire mesh or may be welded together. Welding provides a particularly sturdy construction, but a curved wire mess basket may be easier to move when needed.

4. Choose a basket size. Choose a size that matches your heating patterns to minimize the frequency with which you must refill the basket. A basket that is 12 inches wide by 8 inches deep by 9.5 inches tall will hold 12 pounds of wood pellets, while a basket that is 17 inches wide by 8 inches deep by 9.5 inches tall will hold 16 pounds of wood pellets.

5. Locate a basket dealer. If you cannot locate a wood pellet basket vendor in your area, contact a nonprofit association such as the Wood Heat Organization for a referral to a reputable dealer.

References

• Information on wood pellet baskets from the Burn Wood Pellets website

Resources

• Wood Heat Organization website