Buying guide4 min read
How to Choose Quality Wood Pellets
Pellets can look alike in a photo and behave very differently in a stove or boiler. A few simple checks will tell you a lot before you commit to a full order.
Start with your appliance
Your stove or boiler manual states which pellet diameter and quality class the manufacturer expects. Most domestic appliances in Europe are designed around 6 mm pellets, while some larger systems use 8 mm. Buying to that requirement matters more than any other single factor.
Look at the pellets themselves
- Pellets should be firm, with a smooth, slightly glossy surface and few lengthwise cracks.
- Lengths should be reasonably consistent, without many very long or crumbled pieces.
- There should be little loose dust at the bottom of the bag or in the delivery.
- Colour varies with the wood used and is not a reliable guide to quality on its own.
Ask for the specification
A supplier should be able to tell you the raw material, diameter, moisture content, ash content and any quality scheme the product is certified under. Certification schemes such as ENplus and DINplus define classes with measurable limits, so a named class is more useful than a general promise of quality.
If a certification is claimed, the certificate holder's details can normally be checked with the scheme operator.
Try before you scale up
If you are switching supplier, a small first order lets you see how the pellets feed, how much ash is left and whether the glass and burn pot stay clean under your normal settings.
This guide offers general information. Always follow the instructions of your appliance and storage manufacturers.
