(Another thread seeking) Help with choosing a pellet

[Hitch]

I have been doing a fair amount of reading and searching for pellets for this winter. Here is what I initially found:

Cheat River (Lowes) $197/ton
North American (Lowes) $197/ton
American Wood Fibers (HD) $197/ton
Greene Teams (Pellet stove shop) $300/ton
Lignetics (Pellet stove shop - they weren't sure if Green label or Blue label) $300/ton

I currently have about 20 bags total. These include the Cheat Rivers, North Americans and AWF's bought recently. I also have Great Americans from last winter.

Then I found two other pellet shops that are not very close, but have better pellets. They have:
Store 1 - Hamer's $270/ton.
Store 2 - Hamer's $255/ton
Lignetics $239/ton
Okies $319/ton
Turmans $245/ton
Energex Power Pellets $245/ton

Store 2 is a good hour and a half away from where I live, so I will need to borrow a friend's truck and pick them up.

Store 1 is closer, so I thought I would go there and pick up a few bags of Hamer's to test out. I called the store on Saturday to confirm they had Hamer's in stock and learned that although the price is $270/ton, if I buy less than a ton the price is $7/bag.

So, I am thinking about just "biting the pullet" and picking up a ton without any testing.

If it helps any, we have a Harman XXV that sits in the corner of two exterior walls. The vent runs straight outside and then goes four vertical feet. We also have an OAK installed. Also, I pre-paid for a ton of pellets last Spring that I can pick up as needed from my local hearth shop. They usually carry Lignetics, but currently have Greene Teams. We don't run the stove as much as many of you, so this will be enough for the winter.

EDIT: I should have added that my theory on this.... I intend to use the bags that I currently have, along with the ton from the local hearth shop for early and late season. This (to be purchased) ton would be used in the heart of the winter. I am curious/tempted by the Hamer's, but am tempted to test the infamous Okies.

 

[Major91]

I have been doing a fair amount of reading and searching for pellets for this winter. Here is what I initially found:

Cheat River (Lowes) $197/ton
North American (Lowes) $197/ton
American Wood Fibers (HD) $197/ton
Greene Teams (Pellet stove shop) $300/ton
Lignetics (Pellet stove shop - they weren't sure if Green label or Blue label) $300/ton

I currently have about 20 bags total. These include the Cheat Rivers, North Americans and AWF's bought recently. I also have Great Americans from last winter.

Then I found two other pellet shops that are not very close, but have better pellets. They have:
Store 1 - Hamer's $270/ton.
Store 2 - Hamer's $255/ton
Lignetics $239/ton
Okies $319/ton
Turmans $245/ton
Energex Power Pellets $245/ton

Store 2 is a good hour and a half away from where I live, so I will need to borrow a friend's truck and pick them up.

Store 1 is closer, so I thought I would go there and pick up a few bags of Hamer's to test out. I called the store on Saturday to confirm they had Hamer's in stock and learned that although the price is $270/ton, if I buy less than a ton the price is $7/bag.

So, I am thinking about just "biting the pullet" and picking up a ton without any testing.

If it helps any, we have a Harman XXV that sits in the corner of two exterior walls. The vent runs straight outside and then goes four vertical feet. We also have an OAK installed. Also, I pre-paid for a ton of pellets last Spring that I can pick up as needed from my local hearth shop. They usually carry Lignetics, but currently have Greene Teams. We don't run the stove as much as many of you, so this will be enough for the winter.

EDIT: I should have added that my theory on this.... I intend to use the bags that I currently have, along with the ton from the local hearth shop for early and late season. This (to be purchased) ton would be used in the heart of the winter. I am curious/tempted by the Hamer's, but am tempted to test the infamous Okies.

I've tested both Oakies and Hammers - I'm partial to Hammers......they give off the highest BTU for the $$ and lack ash IMO........

Oakies are good don't get me wrong........maight be a good 'mix' with your existing ton too! so.....

 

[jtakeman]

Lignetics green label put out some nice heat(I'd pass on the blue labels), But the ash level is higher than some of the others listed. Turmans are very consistent, hot and are very clean burning. Hamers are hot and clean. Okies for $319/ton seems kind of high. If I had to choose from you list for cold season pellets 1st choice would be Hamer's, Second would be Turman(but I would NOT travel 3 hrs to get them!).

Have a couple of question though, How much fuel would the barrowed vehicle use in the 1 1/2 hour ride(plus return trip) to get the pellets. If its more than $15 just get the local Hamers. Plus 3 hours of your time has to be worth something??? Also how well does you XXV heat your dwelling? If its never been higher than 1/2 way? Some of the box store brands(if choosen wisely) could also do fine in the cold. I could get by with Stove Chow, Greene Teams and a few others if I had too.

A note: The Greene Teams available at the dealer are the exact same Greene Team pellet you see at Lowes. Just a different bag to keep the pellet dealers happy. Very Hard to pass on the box store deal(as long as the pellets are kept dry)! AWF did well for a box store brand as well. I am hearing decent reviews on the cheat river.

 

[Hitch]

Lignetics green label put out some nice heat(I'd pass on the blue labels), But the ash level is higher than some of the others listed. Turmans are very consistent, hot and are very clean burning. Hamers are hot and clean. Okies for $319/ton seems kind of high. If I had to choose from you list for cold season pellets 1st choice would be Hamer's, Second would be Turman(but I would NOT travel 3 hrs to get them!).

Have a couple of question though, How much fuel would the barrowed vehicle use in the 1 1/2 hour ride(plus return trip) to get the pellets. If its more than $15 just get the local Hamers. Plus 3 hours of your time has to be worth something??? Also how well does you XXV heat your dwelling? If its never been higher than 1/2 way? Some of the box store brands(if choosen wisely) could also do fine in the cold. I could get by with Stove Chow, Greene Teams and a few others if I had too.

A note: The Greene Teams available at the dealer are the exact same Greene Team pellet you see at Lowes. Just a different bag to keep the pellet dealers happy. Very Hard to pass on the box store deal(as long as the pellets are kept dry)! AWF did well for a box store brand as well. I am hearing decent reviews on the cheat river.

Thanks Major and J/T! I appreciate the thoughts.

Unfortunately, I can't get Greene Teams or Stove Chow at the local box stores. The Greene Teams are only available at a local hearth shop and they want $300/ton. I can't find the Stove Chows at all. Sounds like my best bet from the box stores is either the AWF's or the Cheat Rivers.

The Lignetics are also $300/ton, from a local building supply place. I just can't bring myself to pay $300/ton for the same pellet the box stores are selling for $197/ton - especially when I can get Hamer's for $270.

Good point on the gas and time. I was in the mood for a road trip when I posted.

I think I'll get the Hamer's from the closer place. Maybe I'll pick up a few more bags of AWF's as well.

We didn't get the stove up and running till, if I recall correctly, late February or early March of this year. I should have a much better feel for what I need next year. Until then, I'll go with the Hamer's for the cold of the winter. Maybe I'll "over-buy" for this year, but I'm hedging my bets. Neither the box stores nor the local shops are likely to be any cheaper in December.

Thanks again guys.

 

[jtakeman]

I just can't bring myself to pay $300/ton..........

Same here! I try to stay in the under $250 price range as best as possible. Every now and then, I come across that lower priced pellet that performs relatively close to the more expensive brands(with some home work of coarse)!

 

[unklechuckles19]

Hammers. I'm going to say the closer ones, since fuel to and from for the hour and a half trip will be much greater than $15. Support your local stove shops

 

[Hitch]

Update:

Found a TSC within about 35 mins. with Hardwood Heats for about $214/ton. Will try to pick some up this weekend.

 

[imacman]

Update:

Found a TSC within about 35 mins. with Hardwood Heats for about $214/ton. Will try to pick some up this weekend.

For the price, the HH are a no-brainer...IMO.

 

[Hitch]

I picked up a ton of Hardwood Heats from TSC this weekend. The cost was about $212.50/ton.

The pellets were stored outside, so, for what it's worth, I figured I would comment on my experience so far...

The ton of pellets were well covered. There was a full covering over the top and then a clear wrap around the sides. It did not appear to me that the water leaked through the cover. I went up there with my friend (with his truck). The fork lift driver from TSC put the pallet in the back of the truck bed, but way too far back (it was partially on the gate). I asked him to move it forward. He was concerned about moving it too far forward, so he asked me to watch the front of the bed. As I was up front, he speared a bag with the forklift and pellets spilled out. He also broke the pallet. He finally got it set right and moved the pallet forward. He gave me an extra bag to replace the one he ripped.

My friend wanted to move several bags into the rear of the cab, as the truck bed is rated at 1,900 pounds. There was some water in between the cover and the clear wrap. I think when he ripped the cover off it allowed a little bit of water to pour down.

Turns out the guy speared two bags of pellets with the forklift, but the second one was barely cut and didn't spill much. I put that one into a trash bag, to protect for later.

Hopefully the water isn't an issue when time comes to burn these. In hindsight, I wish I would have tried to get the water off the pallet before it was ripped open. In any event, I don't think the water was running down through the pellets beforehand. At home, we unloaded the pellets - my friend even helped carry them into the basement.

With the exception of the ripped bags, the pellets seem fine. There might be some extra moisture, but I am not very concerned. We shall see....

 

[Major91]

I picked up a ton of Hardwood Heats from TSC this weekend. The cost was about $212.50/ton.

The pellets were stored outside, so, for what it's worth, I figured I would comment on my experience so far...

The ton of pellets were well covered. There was a full covering over the top and then a clear wrap around the sides. It did not appear to me that the water leaked through the cover. I went up there with my friend (with his truck). The fork lift driver from TSC put the pallet in the back of the truck bed, but way too far back (it was partially on the gate). I asked him to move it forward. He was concerned about moving it too far forward, so he asked me to watch the front of the bed. As I was up front, he speared a bag with the forklift and pellets spilled out. He also broke the pallet. He finally got it set right and moved the pallet forward. He gave me an extra bag to replace the one he ripped.

My friend wanted to move several bags into the rear of the cab, as the truck bed is rated at 1,900 pounds. There was some water in between the cover and the clear wrap. I think when he ripped the cover off it allowed a little bit of water to pour down.

Turns out the guy speared two bags of pellets with the forklift, but the second one was barely cut and didn't spill much. I put that one into a trash bag, to protect for later.

Hopefully the water isn't an issue when time comes to burn these. In hindsight, I wish I would have tried to get the water off the pallet before it was ripped open. In any event, I don't think the water was running down through the pellets beforehand. At home, we unloaded the pellets - my friend even helped carry them into the basement.

With the exception of the ripped bags, the pellets seem fine. There might be some extra moisture, but I am not very concerned. We shall see....

When i get my pellets in the basement i run the dehumidfyer for at least a week just to get everything out of em..........just my 2 cents

 

[derrickp]

Yep I did that this year too, don't know why I didn't think of it sooner.

When i get my pellets in the basement i run the dehumidfyer for at least a week just to get everything out of em..........just my 2 cents

 

[Hitch]

Figured I would post my experience with these pellets.

First to go in the hopper this year was a bag of Lignetics. My apologies as I don't recall for sure which ones they were - green or blue label. I had both last year and one of them burnt better in my stove than the other. I know, not helping there... Anyway, these were the ones that didn't burn as well.

Next in was a bag of Great American pellets. They burned OK, but my un-scientific review (I didn't actually measure) is that they did not burn as well or hot as the next bag I threw in. Although I did not get any clinkers, there was much more ash and it tended to clump a lot. The clumped ash reminded me of those games at arcades where you try to get the quarter to fall off the edge of a cliff like thing - except that the quarters seem to have an amazing ability to defy gravity and hang really far off the edge. Well, that was the ash from the Great Americans.

Last in was a couple bags of the Hardwood Heats. These two bags were the ones that I mentioned above as being ripped by the forklift/operator. They did have more fines than I have previously experienced, but that isn't a surprise considering what they went through. Besides, my stove burns up the fines with a tricky little light show. My un-scientific review is that these pellets burned a good bit hotter and better than the prior bags. The flame seemed to burn higher and better. There was mush less ash, and it is pretty fine. For instance, the ash from the Great American pellets quickly covered the little holes at the edge of burn pot. With the HH's, those holes stayed open for much longer. Since my stove's venting leaks smoke on very low burns, I have been running the stove on "stove temp mode". With the HH's, I had to turn the pellet feed rate down to keep the room from getting too hot and to keep the flame at a more reasonable height (anything close to number 3 and the flame was hitting the top of the stove).

In sum, quite happy with these first two bags of the Hardwood Heats.

Also, the installer is coming back this afternoon to re-seal my venting. It will be nice to switch over to room temp. mode and not have to worry about the very low burns resulting in smoke in the house.