To answer that question, we need to start off with explaining what biomass fuel is, since that's what a biomass stove burns. I know the phrase "bio" sounds all warm and fuzzy and people are gravitating to this "nice" concept of burning "bio" fuels. But, in reality all fossil fuels started out as biomass fuels. Organic molecules were transformed by time and pressure into fuels like oil, gas and coal.

Where biomass fuels differs from fossil fuels, is that biomass fuels are an easily renewable, cheaper, natural resource. With fossil fuels, what we have is what we have and they tend to be on the pricey side. Wood is a biomass fuel because it's made from trees, we can grow new trees. A matter a fact, the "first" biomass stoves that came out twenty years ago were fueled by, guess what ... "wood pellets."

So, there it is. Basically a biomass stove is what we used to call a "Pellet stove," but now they have a new environmentally friendly name. I'm joking a bit, but in all fairness, I must say the new "Biomass" stoves on today's market are very efficient and well made. Over the years they have developed into high-tech self-feeding marvels, with push button starting, and even automatic ash removal from the fire chamber!

Many stoves can now burn other "bio" fuels besides wood pellets. If set up properly, new biomass stoves can burn corn pellets and even waste biomass fuels like "cherry pits." However, keep this in mind. If anyone out there knows where to get a truck load of olive pits in the middle of a New England winter, please let me know. "Common sense" tells me to set the stove up for the wood or corn pellets, because in many areas they may be easier to get when demand is high. But, check with your distributor for local recommendations.

Bottom line, like the saying goes, "what's old is new again" and with the current tax incentive, it may be worthwhile to take a good look at the new "pellet"... excuse me, I mean "biomass" stoves available in your area.