Frequently Asked Questions
Wood Pellet FAQ's
Q. What is used to make wood pellets?
A. Pellets are 100% natural and are made from recycled sawdust.
They have no additives, chemicals or perfumes. Therefore,
we’re
helping the environment by recycling sawdust and eliminating
the need for new trees to be cut down simply to chop wood.
We use a
premium grade of oak hardwood to ensure first-class pellets
with little or
no dust.
back to top Q. Why should I use wood pellets to heat my home?
A. We believe it makes sense to use American-made fuel products,
especially given the daily increases in oil prices and our dependency
on foreign countries for fuel. Pellets are extremely cost effective
and are also better for the environment.
Q. What are the benefits of pellets vs. propane?
A. Cost is a big benefit. The annual cost of pellets in many parts
of the country is 2 ½ times LOWER than propane! One 40 lb.
bag of our pellet fuel equals approximately 2.5 gallons of oil.
As you see in the news, oil prices fluctuate greatly and seem to
be going higher almost daily. Another benefit is buying American-made
products.
back to top Q. What are the benefits of pellets vs. wood?
A. Here are just a few: #1 you don’t have to chop wood! #2
they are much cheaper than propane #3 it’s easier to start
a fire with pellets because they’re dryer than wood; #4 they
don’t have bark or frozen ants on them #5 they are simple to
use #6 they are sold nationwide #7 you won’t have an aching
back from chopping wood and #8 pellets are better for the environment!
Need we say more?!
Q. How big are the pellets?
A. They’re approximately 1” long and ¼” in
diameter. They are smooth to the touch and virtually dust-free.
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What makes them stick together if you don’t use additives
or plastics?
A. Good question. Lignin (which is a natural binding agent from the
tree itself) combined with the high pressure from the pellet mill
as the pellet is pushed through the mill, holds the pellets together.
Q. Where can I buy the pellets?
A. Our pellets are sold nationwide in over ten states. Click here
to see our retail outlets to find a store near you. If you do not
find a store in your area, please contact us.
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Q. Will one pellet stove heat my entire house?
A. On average, one 40 lb. bag of wood pellets will heat a 1,500 sq.
ft. home for one or two days—depending on whether the pellets
are your primary or secondary heating source. The amount you use
will also depend on other factors such as how much heat you prefer,
the amount of insulation in your home, the outside temperature,
and so on. Some people use pellets as their primary heating source
while others use it as secondary heat.
Q. Where should I store the pellets?
A. Store them in a dry area, and since they are packaged in convenient
40 lb. bags you may stack them several feet high so you won’t
need a great deal of storage space for a winter‘s worth of
pellets.
back to top Q. What is the actual process of making pellets?
A. The sawdust is kept in a dry Quonset hut then it is placed into
a “hopper” and fed through the pellet mill. Our team
ensures that the pellets are clean and uniform in size by sorting,
screening, and sizing the sawdust. We then convey the pellets to
a dryer in order to remove excess moisture. Under extreme pressure,
the sawdust is formed into pellets. The pellets are cooled then
conveyed to a screener to separate out any dust. Next, the pellets
go through the bagging line and drop into 40 lb. bags. Our robot,
Fanny, stacks the bags onto pallets. Finally, they are stretch
wrapped and protected with a weather-resistant cover awaiting shipment
to a store near you. For complete details, see How Wood Pellets
Are Made.
Q. Can I put them in my regular fireplace or wood stove?
A. Unfortunately, no. You will need a wood pellet stove but if you
don’t already have one, the savings you will realize in heating
your home will more than pay for the stove. Some companies do offer
converters which may be placed in fireplace inserts. Please check
with your local hardware store or on the web to see if this option
will work for you.
back to top Q. Do I need a chimney for my pellet stove?
A. No. Since the pellets are so efficient, the stoves do not need
a chimney. All you need to do is vent them outdoors with a 4” pipe
through an outside wall. So, choose the room you congregate in,
place the stove in that room, and enjoy the ease and warmth of
pellet heat! You’ll also enjoy watching the flames—and
the fact that there is very little ash to clean.
Q. Have you tested them?
A. Absolutely! Our pellets were tested by Twin Ports Testing, Inc.,
an approved testing company by the Pellet Fuels Institute. Click
here to see our test results. We pride ourselves on providing quality,
safe products.
back to top Q. Does your company belong to any professional organizations that
monitor/approve wood pellets?
A. Yes, we’re a proud member of the Pellet Fuels Institute.
Q. Where is Ozark Hardwood Products located?
A. OHP is located in the Midwest. Our plant is in Seymour, Missouri.
We take pride in our state-of-the-art facility, complete with a robot.
We also enjoy providing jobs in our rural community and strongly
believe in making American-made products that are energy efficient,
environmentally friendly and cost effective. Our products are sold
nationwide.
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Horse Bedding FAQ's Q. What type of pellets do you use for horse bedding?
A. We use cedar pellets which help to repel flies and pests from
horse stalls. Our pellets are clean and have much less dust than
shavings, therefore, they are better for your horse’s respiratory
health. They are 100% natural.
Q. I currently use shavings for my horse bedding. Why should I use
pellets?
A. Pellets last much longer than shavings because they absorb three
times their weight—unlike shavings which float on top of the
urine. Also, pellets aren’t dusty like shavings, and waste
removal is a breeze. You simply pick the waste and leave more bedding
for the horse. This enables you to save money by buying less bedding.
back to top Q. Are horse bedding pellets safe for my horse?
A. Yes! Our pellets are 100% natural and do not contain any chemicals
or additives. They are also most likely better for your horse’s
respiratory health since they are not dusty like shavings.
Q. If I want to switch to horse bedding pellets, where do I begin?
And how many bags will I need?
A. First, strip the stall of all old bedding. Use 5-6 bags of horse
bedding pellets for a 12’ x 12’ stall. For thicker bedding,
use 7-8 bags. Rake and spread the pellets evenly throughout the stall.
Lightly mist with water from a garden hose to activate and “fluff” the
pellets. Mix urine-soaked areas with dry bedding—remove saturated
areas ONLY. Simply pick the manure once or twice daily. To keep stalls
fresh, place one new bag in the stall weekly.
back to top Q. Are horse bedding pellets comfortable?
A. Yes. When you first place the pellets in your horse’s stall,
lightly mist them, and they will “fluff.” Your horse
will easily adapt to the pellets.
Q. How are the horse pellets sold?
A. They are sold in convenient 40 lb. bags, which can easily be stacked
in a small, dry area.
Q. Where can I buy horse bedding pellets?
A. Contact us and we’ll see that you have pellets!
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