Wood pellet's and a log transposed on a table in front of a non-electric pellet stove in the background

With the price of gas and groceries increasing with inflation, we are all looking for ways to be more sustainable and save a few extra bucks on energy costs.

However, when it comes to heating your home, you don’t want to pay excessive money for electricity, so you start to look at alternative heat sources.

Non-electric pellet stoves have been shown to reduce energy costs and are less expensive than oil or gas, but which one is right for you? 

The Best Overall – Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove

The best non-electric pellet stove is the Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove because it is the only non-electric pellet stove EPA and UL-certified on the market. This stove holds 60 lbs of wood pellets and will heat up to 2,000 sq. ft. (185.8 sq meters) for 36 hours. 

Allow us to elaborate on this unit if you still are not entirely convinced.

With 40,000 BTU output, this stove will heat a 2,000 sq ft. (185.8 sq meters) home for up to 36 hours and features a 60-pound (27.2-kg) gravity-fed hopper, so there are no plug-ins, which save you electric energy.

Additionally, this stove is on the lower end of the average price scale. The Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove from US Stove Company comes with a three-year warranty for the firebox (burn chamber) and a one-year warranty for the cabinet. 

Promo photo of the Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove in a home
Courtesy of Home Hardware

This non-electric pellet stove is the only one on the market fully certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and Underwriter Laboratories (UL). As a result, you can rest assured that you are protecting the environment and your family when you use this stove properly. 

We’re going to do some math here, so bear with us.

The average cost of electricity in the United States is $0.13–$0.15 per kilowatt-hour (Kwh). For a home of approximately 2,000 sq. ft. (185.8 sq meters), the energy usage is around 1,000 kWh per month.

So, the average electric bill is about $130-$150 per month, with the metrics listed. 

The Wiseway pellet stove is the best overall, but you might be concerned about your individual needs, such as indoor and outdoor usage, budget, and size of the area you want to heat. Read on to discover the rest of our non-electric pellet stove picks and find the one best suited for you. 

Regarding non-electric heating options, Home Advisor reports fuel for a pellet stove will cost you between $25-$35 per month, depending on how often you run the stove.

On average, expect to spend between $5 and $9 for a bag of wood pellets.  However, you may get a better deal if you buy wood pellets in bulk.

One bag of wood pellets lasts approximately 24 hours when burned constantly in most homes. Therefore, expect to spend over $35 monthly if you run the stove continuously.  

Heating your home can cost a lot during the winter, but it would be awesome to reduce energy costs by supplementing your heating with this stove. 

Promo photo of the Whitney
Courtesy of Sun Mountain Stove Works

The Whitney – First Runner-Up

When it comes to non-electric pellet stoves, the Whitney from Sun Mountain Stove Works is a worthy contender. While it didn’t claim the title of the best overall non-electric pellet stove, it still deserves recognition for its exceptional features and performance.

The Whitney pellet stove stands out as a beacon of environmental sustainability. Like the Wiseway pellet stove, the Whitney is EPA-certified, which means it meets rigorous standards for low particulate emissions. Consequently, it’s eco-friendly and a wise choice for those who care about reducing their carbon footprint.

It’s also worth mentioning that safety is paramount when it comes to heating appliances. The Whitney non-electric pellet stove has undergone thorough UL testing. Therefore, it complies with safety and performance standards. You can rest assured that this stove is designed with your well-being in mind.

One of the Whitney Pellet stove’s standout features is its exceptional radiant heat signature. Thanks to one of the largest heat exchangers among freestanding, solid fuel-burning appliances, it will deliver an outstanding and cozy warmth to your living space. 

The radiant heat it emits is arguably among the best in the non-electric pellet stove market. It ensures that you stay comfortably warm during the cold months.

In terms of dimensions, the Whitney measures 61″ in height and 34″ in width, with a base diameter of 26″.

The stove weighs 145 lbs (65.77 kg), which is a bit on the heavier side compared to its competitors. This weight might be a consideration if you plan to move it frequently. 

However, the Whitney’s hopper capacity of 40 and 80 lbs (18.14 and 36.29 kg) is impressive because it allows for extended burn times with fewer refills

What’s more, the adjustable pellet burn rate ranging from 1 to 4 lbs (0.45 to 1.81 kg) per hour ensures efficient control over the stove’s heat output. This makes it easier to meet your heating needs.

Indoor Stove Second Runners-Up

These indoor non-electric pellet stoves are still of excellent quality and produce more than adequate heat for your home. However, they did not make the cut for the best overall because they were lacking in areas the first two stoves exceeded. 

These stoves do not carry the EPA or UL certification and are both on the more pricey end of the scale, but they are still fantastic options for your home. 

Promo photo of the Traverse Pellet Stove by Breckwell
Courtesy of Spa Dealership

Breckwell Traverse Pellet Stove

The Traverse Pellet Stove is a non-electric, gravity-fed pellet stove with a 47-lb (21.3-kg) hopper. It emits 35,000 BTU to heat up to 2,000 sq ft (185.8 sq meters) for 18-19 hours. This model is mobile home approved and carries a limited lifetime warranty. 

According to Forbes, the average price of a pellet stove is $2000-$4050. The Traverse Pellet Stove is a runner-up because it is on the higher end of this price scale, and the burn time is not as long. 

Over time, you will still save money on electric heating with this model. The limited lifetime warranty will save you money ten years later if your stove requires a replacement.

The Wiseway only carries a three-year warranty, so you could decide if you want to pay more upfront or later down the line. 

US Stove Company GW7400

Next, we have another non-electric pellet stove from the same company as the Wiseway. The US Stove Company GW7400 also has a 47-lb (21.3-kg) hopper, much like the Traverse Pellet Stove. 

This model is also mobile home approved and produces 34,000 BTUs to heat up to 1,800 sq ft (167.2 sq meters). 

Reviews say the GW7400 has a max heat time of six hours on 10-lb (4.5-kg) pellets (this amounts to around 28 hours on the 47-lb [21.3-kg] hopper, but we cannot say for sure if it is safe to burn the entire hopper at once). 

This stove also falls on the higher end of the average price scale, but it does come with a limited lifetime firebox warranty and a one-year warranty for all other parts. Again, this is a trade-off—the original investment is at a higher cost, but you could save some dough with the warranty in the long run. 

One thing that hurts this stove is the length of time it burns. The Wiseway can operate up to 36 hours, but this stove lasts only six hours on a 10-lb (4.5-kg) bag of pellets.

The GW7400 operator’s manual states the furnace will produce heat for 1-6 hours, depending on the heat setting and airflow adjustment. However, the manual does not say it is safe to operate the stove after six hours. 

Using the previously stated cost of pellets at $25-$35 per month, you will still see a benefit of using this stove regarding your electric bill and carbon footprint.

However, this option sounds like an excellent supplement to your heating needs, not an overarching resolution. 

Promo photo of the Austral III by Drolet
Courtesy of Drolet

Austral III With Heatflow S5 Forced Air System

So, what if you’ve set up the non-electric pellet stove in the living room but want to redistribute the heat to other rooms without buying several stoves? This is where the Austral III With Heatflow S5 Forced Air System comes in handy.

The Austral III non-electric pellet stove from Drolet comes with a Heatflow S5 forced air system that makes heat redistribution to other rooms a breeze. This system provides a safe way to get the most out of your backup heating source.

All that’s expected of you is to install the galvanized steel heatflow S5 system on top of the stove and align it to redistribute heat to your chosen room. Once installed, the system can redistribute heat to a maximum of four rooms.

This stove is suitable for heating spaces up to 2,300 square feet (213.68 square meters).

The EPA certification shows that this non-electric pellet stove is highly eco-friendly. Its particle emission rate of 0.95 g/h is a testament to its sustainability factor.

The best part is that the stove’s power output of 90,000 BTU/h is ideal for the entire family. Therefore, you can rest assured of staying warm throughout winter.

Since its firebox is designed for loading over depth, you don’t have to worry about your pellets falling over the floor. This is an excellent fire safety feature.

A single fill of the 3.3 ft³ firebox guarantees up to 10 hours of burn time.

Best Outdoor Non-Electric Pellet Stoves

Maybe your ideas for a non-electric heater do not include being inside the home. In this case, we have several ideas for you.

The Big Timber Elite Patio Heater on a patio with a man's leg shown the the left and a woman walking behind it
Courtesy of The Coolector

Best Outdoor Aesthetic – Big Timber Elite Patio Heater

If you are looking for an outdoor patio heater that does not use electricity, you can keep it stylish with the Big Timber Elite Patio Heater

This non-electric outdoor pellet stove will emit 90,000 BTU and has a three-hour burn time on a 30-lb (13.6-kg) hopper. You will feel the warmth for up to 450 sq ft (41.8 sq meters).

The Big Timber Elite Patio Heater has a stylish stainless steel exterior with a three-sided view of the firebox so you and your friends can enjoy the fire from all angles. 

The Big Timber Elite model has a similar initial cost as the Wiseway, but since you will enjoy it outside, you will notice the heated area is much smaller with higher BTUs. That is because the heat dissipates more quickly outside than inside a house.  

The Big Timber heaters come with a two-year warranty.  

A homeowner cooks stir fry atop his Lil Timber Patio Heater non-electric pellet stove in his backyard
Courtesy of WoodPelletProducts.com

Best Outdoor Budget – Lil Timber Patio Heater

Not everyone looks for bling or needs to heat as much space as the Big Timber Elite is equipped to. For those who prefer a simple, clean look that the family can huddle around while stargazing, the Lil Timber Patio Heater is the answer. 

It is also a solid option for those cold nights at a lower cost—it features a 15-lb (6.8-kg) hopper that gives a 1.5-hour burn time up to 300 sq ft (27.8 sq meters). With 72,000 BTUs, you can be sure that you will feel nice and toasty. 

As for all of these models, the Lil Timber is non-electric and more cost-effective than a portable electric heater. Additionally, the Timber pellet heaters emit fewer fumes than a traditional gas or propane fire. 

This model also comes with a two-year warranty, which will save you money if your pellet stove needs repairs. 

What To Remember When Buying a Non-Electric Pellet Stove

Since all these models are non-electric, the energy use cost is the price of the pellets you buy. The initial investment can be pricey depending on the size of the stove, how many pounds of pellets it holds, and the square footage of the area you are heating. 

Unfortunately, there are too many factors to consider to estimate your return on investment in general terms.

However, you can calculate how much you are paying for electric heating per kilowatt hour and compare it to the cost of pellets in your area, how often you plan to use the stove, and how long it will emit heat. 

Additionally, if you choose to install a non-electric pellet stove, it could increase the value of your home. Homebuyers love options. A sustainable and money-saving heating option could put your home at the top of their list. 

Final Thoughts

When you want to reduce your energy consumption and save money on heating options, a non-electric pellet stove is a viable choice. Your heating needs will depend on the size of the space you are looking to heat, whether the area is indoor or outdoor, and how long you want the pellets to burn. 

The non-electric pellet stoves listed in this article have high reviews from buyers who have stated these wood stoves saved them money on electricity. However, of all the stoves, the Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove stands on its own. 

For other energy-efficient heating options, you can read more on What Is Hydronic Baseboard Heating and What Is Radiant Wall Heating!

One Comment

  1. Wiseway is not the only EPA non electric pellet stove, The Whitney is rated cleaner.
    check it out at sunmountainstoves,com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *