>Why is it ok to use these pellets of wood but not wood shavings?
 
The answer is simple.  Wood pellets used for pellet stoves are made from
hard woods, (oak, etc) not soft woods (pines, etc.) The soft woods are the
wood types that are highly aromatic and thus have the esters that are
harmfull to air breathing critters.
 
Many areas that have controlled burning in fireplaces ban the use of soft
wood pellets, (They produce too many airborne particulants when burned!)
so few companies make them.  Most stove pellets you find will be hard wood
pellets.
 
For the ferrets...
 
MC, The Rude One
[Posted in FML issue 2528]