Comparison of Propane and Pellet Stoves

Propane Stoves

• Propane stoves are used for both cooking and heating purposes and can be stationary or portable. Stoves are fueled by liquid propane (LP) gas that runs to the stove through an LP gas line connection. The propane gas supply is stored in metal tanks that are placed indoors or outdoors. Cooking stove styles range from ordinary-looking traditional cooking ranges to portable stoves for camping. As with pellet stoves, the styles of stoves used for heating range from replicas of antique stoves to modern appliances.

Pellet Stoves

• Pellet stoves are stationary appliances used to provide heat in homes. The stove styles can range from old-fashioned potbelly stove models to modern designs with brightly colored enamel-coated metal units that look more like an appliance. Pellet stoves connect to stovepipes to vent smoke and exhaust to the outdoors. The pellets are made from corn husks or wood byproducts such as wood chips, sawdust and bark. The pellets are poured into an auger that drops the pellets onto a burn pot on the bottom of the firebox inside the stove. Augers can be manually fed or automatically fed.

Similarities

• Propane and pellet stoves allow you to use "off the grid" fuel sources for cooking and heating, because they don't require connections to traditional natural gas lines or electric power suppliers. You purchase your own "energy" when you want and as much as you need. Pellets are sold at agricultural supply stores such as feed and grain shops, and propane tanks are sold and rented by propane gas suppliers. Both types of stoves can be used to supplement existing heating and cooking units such as a central heating HVAC system and a gas or electric cooking stove. In addition to freestanding stoves for heating, propane and pellet stoves are sold as fireplace inserts.

Differences

• Propane stoves provide portability and versatility. For example, propane is used as the fuel for both cooking and heating for recreational vehicles such as motor homes. Pellet stoves, on the other hand, are stationary appliances. The stove becomes a permanent fixture once it is installed. Pellet stoves also require ventilation through a stovepipe, where you have choices with propane to go with a vented stove model or a vent-free stove. Pellets are a bit safer to use than propane because it is highly flammable, and tanks must be safely and properly stored and operated. Pellets are sold in 40-lb. bags, and propane is sold on a per-gallon basis. Prices for pellets and propane vary, based on use and availability in the area.