How a Wood Pellet Patio Heater Works
A Timber heater runs on wood pellets, gravity and the draft of the stove pipe. No electricity. No moving parts.
What makes it different
Ordinary pellet stoves use an auger and a blower fan. We got rid of both. That makes our heaters portable and means there's nothing to break down.
It starts with the fuel
Wood pellets are an efficient biomass fuel that puts out radiant, dry heat. They're a by-product of the sawmill industry that would otherwise go to waste, so they're cheap. A 40 lb bag runs about $5. What pellets to buy.
The gravity feed system
Pour pellets into the hopper at the back of the stove. They funnel down into the firebox and cover the fire pot. A log jam effect only lets a set amount of fuel into the firebox. Light the pellets by hand with fire gel or charcoal lighting fluid. As pellets burn down to ash, new fuel drops in on its own, so the stove keeps burning for hours.
The draft system
The vertical stove pipe and sealed firebox are what make it work. Pellets need forced air to burn clean. Hot air rises and speeds up as it's pushed through the pipe. That creates a vacuum in the firebox that pulls fresh air in through slots at the bottom of the stove and up through the fire pot.
Maintenance
Scrape between the fire pot bars when they clog, empty the ash pan every 4 to 5 burns once the stove is cool, and keep the spark arrestor mesh clear so the stove can breathe. More in common questions.