Mini Pelletizer Heats Grills, Smokers, Heaters

Mini Pelletizer Heats Grills, Smokers, Heaters FARM HOME Food 31-1-43 The "Pelletizer" is a completely new and better way of burning wood pellets for a variety of different applications with none of the many problems that other pellet-burning systems have, according to inventor Patrick Leverty of Boy River, Minn. The compact 10 by 10 by 6-in. burner is gravity fed, eliminating the need for an auger assembly, and there's no bulky blower. It's made from aluminum, stainless steel and high temperature silicon fiberboard. The patent-pending Pelletizer prototype weighs only 5 to 6 lbs., Leverty says, and the new technology is both portable and affordable. "At an estimated $300 price, once the Pelletizer is in production, almost anyone will be able to afford a pellet stove whereas most existing pellet-burners start at least $700," he points out. "My burner produces a flame at well over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can be used in a multitude of different applications such as for a grill, smoker, camp stove, orchard heater, kiln, metal melting pot or emergency heater. It's small enough to keep in the trunk of car and very versatile, due to its size, simplicity, and the fact that the fuel is in solid form, making it easy to handle and replenish." Leverty invented the device while experimenting with wood gasifiers. He soon realized the Pelletizer had a lot of promise. The Pelletizer is powered by a 12-volt air pump. It draws about one amp. and can heat a 12 by 16-in. grill to over 450 degrees. The prototype has an adjustable heat setting and a 12-volt electric starter which gets the unit running within 1 to 3 minutes. Once the flame is established, it's clean burning and makes "just enough noise to let you know it's working," Leverty says. It's also inexpensive and efficient to run because wood pellets cost less than half the cost of propane or charcoal. A full hopper of wood pellets will run for about 3/4 of an hour and can be refilled at anytime during a burn. "Gas grills feature quick starts, however they don't infuse any desirable flavors to the food being cooked," Leverty points out. "With rising fuel costs, people start looking to renewable fuel alternatives. Charcoal is a renewable fuel resource and produces good flavor, but the fuel cost is quite high, and the slow starts are a definite disadvantage." Leverty is willing to consider selling or licensing the rights to this invention. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Probe-Tech Mfg., 2163 State Hwy. 200 N.E., Boy River, Minn. 56672 (patrick@the-pelletizer.com; probtechmfg@yahoo.com; www.the-pelletizer.com).

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