Wood pellet can be used for a variety of purposes, including making fuel, as well as creating bedding for animals, and acting as a fire starter.Industrial pellet mills make most of the pellets, but homeowners and small businesses can make their own.You can make your own pellets at home by breaking wood into smaller pieces and pressing it into dense pellets.
Step 1: Logs, wood chips, or sawdust are some of the materials that can be gathered.
If you are making a small amount of wood pellets, you should only need a few logs or buckets of sawdust.If you want to make more than 10 to 20 pounds of pellets, you should order scrap wood from a local lumber yard or saw mill.If you want to buy logs or wood from a scrap yard or saw mill, you will have to pay for shipment to your location, which can be expensive.Since the demand for sawdust and wood is high, you should order your materials in advance.Excess raw plant material from local farmers is often ordered by people who make smaller batches of pellets.The stalks and leaves of dead plants are included.
Step 2: There are pieces that are 2.5 cm or smaller.
Feed the branches, logs, or other materials into the mouth of the wood chipper after turning it on.The wood chips should be caught in a container at the opposite end of the chipper.Some wood chippers will not allow you to choose the size of the chips.You may have to run the wood through the chipper twice to make it small.You can skip this step if you use pre-processed sawdust.
Step 3: The pieces should be reduced to 5mm (0.20 in) with a hammer mill.
The small pieces from the hammer mill are used to make pellets.Slowly pour the wood chips into the machine when the hammer mill is turned on.As the small particles come out of the machine, place a container under the mill.If you don't own a hammer mill, you can rent one from a local saw mill or lumber yard.If you start with sawdust, you don't need this step since it's already been refined to small pieces.
Step 4: The wood needs to be dry before it can be put to use.
For a small amount of pellets, leave the wood in the sun for at least 24 hours.If there is wind, cover them with a mesh screen.If you want to make a bigger batches, place the wood pieces in an industrial dryer or drum heater.You can buy a moisture meter at most agriculture stores or online.Most of the time, you don't have to dry sawdust.If your sawdust has been stored in a moist environment or feels wet to the touch, you should spread it out on a flat surface in the dry room for 24 hours to dry the dust.
Step 5: Run the raw materials through a sieve
Carefully pour the raw material into the sieve if you are making a lot of pellets.Wait while the sieve uses magnets and strainers to remove extra particles, and collect the raw materials at the output area of the machine.If metal or stone particles get into an industrial mill, they can cause problems.This step is not necessary for small batches of pellets since they will not be placed in an industrial mill.
Step 6: Adding vegetable oil helps the materials stick together.
If you are making a small amount of pellets, add vegetable oil for every pound of wood pieces you mix them with.This will help bind the pieces together as they are mixed.The vegetable oil will not change the texture of the wood material.It is easier to add more vegetable oil later if necessary.If you have more than 10 to 20 pounds of raw material, you don't need a binding agent to make the pellets.The pressure and heat used in industrial processing will be enough to make the pellets stick together without the oil.
Step 7: The dried wood can be put into a mixer.
The consistency of the wood pieces will be ensured by mixing it.If there is a rolling drum in the mixer, you can combine the pieces quickly.Put the raw material in the mixer and wait for 10 minutes for the pieces to mix.For small batches, you can use a kitchen stand mixer.Stand mixers can be found at most stores.Attach a curved arm to mix the wood and vegetable oil if you are using it.Allow the mixture to run for 10 minutes.If you use sawdust, you don't have to mix the wood since it is already a fairly consistent size and shape.
Step 8: If you are making a large amount of material, transfer it to a flat die pellet mill.
heat and die casts are used to press the pellets.Wait for the die in the mill to heat up to the optimum temperature, which varies depending on the machine.The wood pieces should be poured into the machine to heat and press the wood into pellets.Most pellet mills operate at a maximum of 170–190 F to ensure that the pressure in the machine stays constant for binding the pellets but not burning.Feed the wood slowly to prevent backups.As production ability increases, add more wood to the machine.
Step 9: Smaller batches can be made using a pellet press that has a die and roller.
The pellet press die has holes in it.The wood pieces should be spread evenly over the die.The wood will be pressed through the holes into pieces the size of finished pellets if the roller is moved across the die.You don't need to worry about working quickly when using the die and roller.It's ideal for small batches because the process is slower and requires more effort.
Step 10: The pellets should be separated using a sieve or screen.
Pieces will break during the pressing process.Take the pieces and shake them through a screen with holes that are the same size as the pellets to remove the ones that aren't good.If you make your own pellets for personal use, you can leave them with the regular ones to avoid waste.
Step 11: Allow the pellets to cool and become rigid.
The pellets will be moist and hot when they come out of the pellet press.If you are making a small amount, spread them out on a flat area and allow them to cool and dry naturally.It will take 1-2 hours to lower the temperature of the wood if you use an industrial freezer or cooler.If you store the pellets in a bag, they can become flattened.
Step 12: Keep the cooled pellet in a dry area by pouring them into bags.
Make sure no air can enter the pellets by putting them in plastic or paper bags.Keep them away from the sun when the air is dry and cool.You can store the pellets in a garage or storage closet.To store larger batches of pellets, use a temperature and humidity controlled warehouse.