Any brand you would not buy?

[Don2222]

90% of pellet problems is moisture. Do not buy pellets that were stored outside.

Eric

I agree 100% - the more moisture the pellets absorb, the lower their heat output. That's why I don't put too much stock in those BTU ratings that some pellet companies have started to use - I store my pellets in a (humid) basement all summer, and I have no clue where they were stored before that. I figure by the time they go into my stove, their moisture content has gone way up, and their BTU output is down at least 10%

Hi Anton
Maybe you need a Wood Pellet Humidor to store them in? If they make one??
Store at 41% Humidity at 60 degrees F (broken link removed to http://www.thecigarstore.com/Humidors/main/A-Monolith.htm)

Air that feels dry to our skin is typically about 40% relative humidity or below.

Maybe you should measure the humidity in your basement storage area?

Is there another place to store them? They should be in a cool dry place like a shed or something.

 

[esuitt]

90% of pellet problems is moisture. Do not buy pellets that were stored outside.

Eric

Moisture is a problem. But it dos not all come from being stored outside.
One of the local h/w stores I buy from has 50% or more of their pellets stored outside in the factory wrap and then shrink wrap over that and I have never had a problem buying from them.

 

[BDPVT]

90% of pellet problems is moisture. Do not buy pellets that were stored outside.

Eric

I agree 100% - the more moisture the pellets absorb, the lower their heat output. That's why I don't put too much stock in those BTU ratings that some pellet companies have started to use - I store my pellets in a (humid) basement all summer, and I have no clue where they were stored before that. I figure by the time they go into my stove, their moisture content has gone way up, and their BTU output is down at least 10%

Wood pellets do not absorb humidity from the air. High quality wood pellets have a moisture content of 3 to 7% and are hydrofilic and therefore sensitive to water droplets. The shiny surface of the pellets is caused by partial plasticizing of the lignin in the wood due to high pressure and the evaporation of terpenes during the production process. Their high density and hard surface protects the pellets from absorbing any significant amount of airborne water vapor under normal atmospheric conditions. However, wood pellets have to be protected from direct water penetration. If exposed to water droplets, from for example condensation, the pellets will decompose and expand. Storing pellets inside or out makes no difference as long as they are kept dry. I keep several tons outside year round under a shed roof and they burn perfectly well.

 

[Taperbill]

DOG POO PELLETS,

A "friend" of mine bought them..
Packaged in a brown paper bag..
Moisture content was high..
He didnt want to doo the crumple test..
Smell was strong and his dog wanted to pee on the stove.
Heat output was good..since he lives north of the Arctic circle beats no heat at all.

NON oil source..met all GORE standards..current President included.
winter use was tolerable..mid summer was a bummer.

His stove dealer didn't want to service his stove any longer..
said the radiation level was too high..

 

[sparkydog00]

Everything is relative but was wondering if there were any pellets people would not buy regardless of price?
I have sampled many brands since I bought my stove this January and 2 brands are on my do not buy list:

Inferno-very low heat,clinkers
Lignetics-for some reason my auger hated them. Not sure why

Maine Wood unless i had to get traction on icy surfaces in an enviormentally friendly way

 

[HopeItBurns]

Don't buy Maeder Brothers, Hi ash, hi fines, less heat and dirty glass. Had to clean the pellet burner once a day. Actually took a ton back to the store; talk about a hassle.

 

[Alternative Guy]

TreeCycle...... Gave away about 2+ tons..... Yup.... Gave away...

You may regret this if their value goes up because TreeCycle is defunct. Like when an artist dies, his paintings cost more.

 

[Rooscooter]

Lignetics.....I swore them off last year after big issues with dirt in their mix. The pellets were unburnable and caused major clinkers. I purchased 2 tons from a local supplier and every bag I opened has the same issues. The supplier wouldn't take them back so I went to the company directly. After a month of bickering with them they paid me back and took the remaining bags back.

With so many good brands in our area I won't be going back to Lignetics anytime soon.

 

[esuitt]

Lignetics.....I swore them off last year after big issues with dirt in their mix. The pellets were unburnable and caused major clinkers. I purchased 2 tons from a local supplier and every bag I opened has the same issues. The supplier wouldn't take them back so I went to the company directly. After a month of bickering with them they paid me back and took the remaining bags back.

With so many good brands in our area I won't be going back to Lignetics anytime soon.

That is really weird, one of the 1st complaints I have read about Lignetics. Being a new stove owner this season, I have burned 3 tons of Ligs with no problems. I had some that burned different then the rest did (cooler), so I saved them for days like today when it is going to be mid 40s out.

 

[Rooscooter]

Lignetics.....I swore them off last year after big issues with dirt in their mix. The pellets were unburnable and caused major clinkers. I purchased 2 tons from a local supplier and every bag I opened has the same issues. The supplier wouldn't take them back so I went to the company directly. After a month of bickering with them they paid me back and took the remaining bags back.

With so many good brands in our area I won't be going back to Lignetics anytime soon.

That is really weird, one of the 1st complaints I have read about Lignetics. Being a new stove owner this season, I have burned 3 tons of Ligs with no problems. I had some that burned different then the rest did (cooler), so I saved them for days like today when it is going to be mid 40s out.

Lignetics has plants in the East and the West. The plant around here is in Sandpoint, ID. This plant has had issues in the past. I see a lot of good reports on Lignetics back East and the issues I have had are a local plant issue, not a company wide issue. With that said, they were slow to respond and didn't support their dealers(wouldn't buy back bad batches) when this issue arose. This year they raised their prices to boot! They are now one of the most expensive pellets in our area and because of their stance with some of the larger dealers are far less available than they used to be.

There are just too many other high quality brands around here at lower prices to risk another large purchase of their products after last years issues.

 

[Heaterhunter]

Michigan Wood Pellets from 2009 were the worst I've burned. Taught me how to PROPERLY clean my stove though >:-( . The LG's were all I had burned prior to the Michigan Wood Pellets so I was spoiled, my stove loves LG granules. Can't speak for the current Michigan wood pellet, I know some do improve their pellet making process.

 

[HopeItBurns]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention with the Maeder Brothers pellets, was the first time ever saw and cleaned out clinkers, and I did try 3 bags of Michigan Wood pellets this year and they were terrible, seemed to have an abundance of fines. The heat output was good but very dirty glass.

 

[esuitt]

Lignetics has plants in the East and the West. The plant around here is in Sandpoint, ID. This plant has had issues in the past. I see a lot of good reports on Lignetics back East and the issues I have had are a local plant issue, not a company wide issue. With that said, they were slow to respond and didn't support their dealers(wouldn't buy back bad batches) when this issue arose. This year they raised their prices to boot! They are now one of the most expensive pellets in our area and because of their stance with some of the larger dealers are far less available than they used to be.

There are just too many other high quality brands around here at lower prices to risk another large purchase of their products after last years issues.

OK, that makes sense. I did not know they have more then one plant.
Thanks for the info.