Big box store Pellet comparing! List and mini review!

[Trail_Time]

Hi,
Some of the suppliers around here are carring a new brand from a mill here in MA thats called O'Malley's. Its a hardwood pellet mostly oakwood with 8,300 BTU's and .5 % ash. Anyone know anything?

Considered by most to be a very good pellet...would rate it as a B/B- good heat, with low to medium ash left over......

O'Malleys did not work so well for me. They did not burn nearly as hot as other pellets I have (Okies, Greenway, Penn Woods, Lignetics) They were dirty and produced the biggest clinkers I have seen... even bigger than Lignetics.

I had always heard good things about them, but I would not buy again.

 

[Benski]

I will keep all results updated in post #349.

LG 15on ash level in jar 431°F convection air temp

I'll do the weighing a little later when I return to the lab.

I purchased these LG pellets from the Rona hardware store that's just across the street from my house. Got them delivered (3t) by their forklift straight from their yard!

I paid 5,97$/bag, all taxes included so that's 298,50/US ton (I mean 2000lbs) or 328,35$/metric tonne.

The Comfort Pellets, from a company in St-Paulin, Qc are now in.

 

[jtakeman]

I will keep all results updated in post #349.

LG 15on ash level in jar 431°F convection air temp

I'll do the weighing a little later when I return to the lab.

I purchased these LG pellets from the Rona hardware store that's just across the street from my house. Got them delivered (3t) by their forklift straight from their yard!

I paid 5,97$/bag, all taxes included so that's 298,50/US ton (I mean 2000lbs) or 328,35$/metric tonne.

The Comfort Pellets, from a company in St-Paulin, Qc are now in.

Ben,

15 oz. of ash doesn't sound bad and the 431ºF is good and hot. Great heat from the M55. I take it you are burning on the max(#5) setting?

Glad you jumped on board and are testing some of the brands I could not find! Looking forward to the others brands you have gathered. Great work!

jay

Edit: I updated the 1st post steering the others to post 349 for Bens testing.

 

[TROY COOK]

Just came from Walmart what a zoo. Pennington's on sale ! ... Merry Christmas!!

 

[Benski]

Ben,

I take it you are burning on the max(#5) setting?

No, I'm setting it at 4, although your are correct, 5 is also Max setting on the M55.

Now, I must pause the testing because weather is now much too warm for continuous stove operation. What did you do about that? Did you let you stove cycle between Hi-Low mode just maintaining room temperature with the thermostat or did you force the stove to run continuously? I seem to have missed that part of your protocol!

My stove ran for the last 24hrs with the Comfort pellets in Hi-Low (actually cycling a lot because I used #4 setting) and I got terrible ash quantity 20on with lots of unburnt pellets.

Finally, that leads me to this final question: If you had any unburnt pellets in the fire pot after the stove ran out ou pellets, did you leave these few pellets with the ash or was it screened and removed from the ash?

The first result I am reporting had some pellets in the ash, clearly coming from the very last minutes of operation right before stove extinguished itself.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

 

[jtakeman]

Ben,

I take it you are burning on the max(#5) setting?

No, I'm setting it at 4, although your are correct, 5 is also Max setting on the M55.

Now, I must pause the testing because weather is now much too warm for continuous stove operation. What did you do about that? Did you let you stove cycle between Hi-Low mode just maintaining room temperature with the thermostat or did you force the stove to run continuously? I seem to have missed that part of your protocol!

My stove ran for the last 24hrs with the Comfort pellets in Hi-Low (actually cycling a lot because I used #4 setting) and I got terrible ash quantity 20on with lots of unburnt pellets.

Finally, that leads me to this final question: If you had any unburnt pellets in the fire pot after the stove ran out ou pellets, did you leave these few pellets with the ash or was it screened and removed from the ash?

The first result I am reporting had some pellets in the ash, clearly coming from the very last minutes of operation right before stove extinguished itself.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

Ben,

I was on the Auto/Off setting and just let the tstat control when the stove can on. Otherwise I would have gotten baked out of the house. I only forced it if I was close to finishing a brand. Only heat if you need to. I screened all the unburnt pellets out with a 3/16 screen(chicken wire-home made). Probably better to remove them.

Sounds like the M55 really throws good heat on setting 4. Great work.

Merry Christmas
jay

 

[jtakeman]

I have gathered a list for the pellet test . "My search for the Ultimate Pellet"

Let see what the Softwoods can do against the Hardwoods. Tossing in a few blends for the heck of it.

Hardwoods
Barefoots*
Corinth
Cubex√
Dry Creek√
Hamer√
Juniata√
Northern
O Malley√
Turmans√

Softwoods
Lake Region√
Okanagans*
Pure Fire√
Rocky Mnt*
Spruce Pts√

Blend
ACP√
Energex Canadian√
Lignetics*
NEWP√

* note these results
will be taken from
the other test

√ =purchased

I would love to test the Dragon Mountain, PA(still might get them) and Propellets, But it looks like there will be to much travel or hassle to get them. Do to funds and time constraint's I have to keep this close to home and little to no hassle's. If for any reason there is an issue purchasing any of these on the list! There off the list. I may also have some Uncle Jeds coming from the West. If it happens then they will be added to the test(Bet they are real good too!) I will start a new thread once the testing begins. Same standards as this test. Same disclaimer will apply. Just for fun and games. Your results may vary and all that yadda yadda too!

Stay Tuned for round 2.
jay

Edit: I purchased most of the list. Just waiting on the new igniter to arrive!

 

[Benski]

The pellets I had on hand are now done.

I'm having troubles with 100% corn at setting #4 and stove set for Multi-Fuel.

I keep getting a weak flame and considerably less heat than pellets (not yet measured).

I think I will have to search a little more on the right settings to have. Plus I need to hook up the magnahelic for once!

Maybe it's the moisture content in my corn (is close to 15% moisture now)?

We'll see later on how that goes...

Thanks,

 

[jtakeman]

The pellets I had on hand are now done.

I'm having troubles with 100% corn at setting #4 and stove set for Multi-Fuel.

I keep getting a weak flame and considerably less heat than pellets (not yet measured).

I think I will have to search a little more on the right settings to have. Plus I need to hook up the magnahelic for once!

Maybe it's the moisture content in my corn (is close to 15% moisture now)?

We'll see later on how that goes...

Thanks,

Ben,

I had the same issue in multifuel mode. Enviro has a clean cycle in the multifuel mode. I never timed it but I think every 15 minutes or so it goes into the clean cycle. The flame is reduced and it lets the fuel burnup in the burnpot. I though it was a control issue so I emailed Enviro. They never gave me the time but they did explain it as a way to keep the multifuels from overloading the burnpot. They also suggested to run it in Hi/Lo mode instead of Auto/Off mode.

Just FYI.
jay

 

[jtakeman]

Jay,

As I mentionned earlier on, I'm jumping in as a testing crew member! Holidays just started 5 minutes ago!

I just finished cleaning the stove and started with LG's.

2 bags (2X40 lbs) per run. Stove is set at No. 4 level and Premium Pellet. Stove also allowed to idle at Low setting if thermostat feels it's getting too warm.

Results as of 1 jan 2010

I screened the ash with a 3/16in mesh to get rid of unburnt pellets. This is why LG's now show 12on of ash instead of the 15on I had previously recorded.

1. LG 12on ash level in jar 431°F convection air temp
2. Comfort 22-24on ash w/ clinkers 441°F
3. Valfei Ambiance 10 on 431°F
4. Cubex 16-18on 497°F Noticeably very hot!
5. Corn
6. Switchgrass 100% in January

Note on temperature readings: The figure I am reporting is a 3-point average taken with a IR Thermometer shooting on the deflector plate right at the heat tubes exit, above main door of the stove. I take a point on the left, one in the middle and a third on the right hand side. The middle point is always hotter by about 30°F.

Anyone knowing about other brands available in QC or ON is welcome to give me suggestion. It seems rather myterious that I can't find any of Energex products anywhere while they are located just about 2 hrs from where I am??? I have yet to stop by a Home Depot sometime...

Bye,

Ben,

Very nice results so far. I am very impressed! Can't wait to see what you get for ash weights. Thanks for sharing!

jay

 

[Benski]

Ben,

I had the same issue in multifuel mode. Enviro has a clean cycle in the multifuel mode. I never timed it but I think every 15 minutes or so it goes into the clean cycle. The flame is reduced and it lets the fuel burnup in the burnpot. I though it was a control issue so I emailed Enviro. They never gave me the time but they did explain it as a way to keep the multifuels from overloading the burnpot. They also suggested to run it in Hi/Lo mode instead of Auto/Off mode.

Just FYI.
jay

Jay,

I am already on Hi-Lo mode. What you describe about the cleaning cycle is consistent with what is happenning to me. I have tried a mix of corn and pellets at 50-50 using the Regular Pellet mode and that worked fine. I think I will try 100% corn in Regular Pellet mode.

I have boosted the Combustion Air Trim to 5 last night, in hope of giving the corn some more air, but no clue. It did not help in the end.

Do you have a Feed Trim button on the Omega? What is it used for? I'd guess it's for slight adjustments in pellet feed rates. I don't think that would help me with corn in Multi-Fuel mode... what do you think.

That will be for tomorrow though!

Thanks for your comments.

Bye, and Happy 2010!

PS: see my update in post 349. I have uploaded a picture. You deserve a copyright for the inspiration! I also have the ZipLock samples, but they are all virtually identical...

 

[jtakeman]

Jay,

I am already on Hi-Lo mode. What you describe about the cleaning cycle is consistent with what is happenning to me. I have tried a mix of corn and pellets at 50-50 using the Regular Pellet mode and that worked fine. I think I will try 100% corn in Regular Pellet mode.

I have boosted the Combustion Air Trim to 5 last night, in hope of giving the corn some more air, but no clue. It did not help in the end.

Do you have a Feed Trim button on the Omega? What is it used for? I'd guess it's for slight adjustments in pellet feed rates. I don't think that would help me with corn in Multi-Fuel mode... what do you think.

That will be for tomorrow though!

Thanks for your comments.

Bye, and Happy 2010!

PS: see my update in post 349. I have uploaded a picture. You deserve a copyright for the inspiration! I also have the ZipLock samples, but they are all virtually identical...

Ben,

I do have a feed trim button on the Omega. Its what you think. Adjust's the pellet or fuel feed times. I made a chart for mine. I will post it if I can find it. So each heat setting has 5 seperate feed times. I usually run the multifuel in the lower feed trim settings. I liked feed 3 with trim in the 2 setting.

I don't have the Comb Air trim, Wish I did. I am hoping Enviro has an upgrade for the Omega someday. I could trim the air for rich fuels with the control instead of the damper setting.

You can try straight corn in the pellet mode. But I would trim the comb air to max and drop the feed to the minimum inthe heat range (4-1). I used this for the switch grass pellets I tried. It worked pretty good. I didn't try it with straight corn though. I only tried switch grass and 60/40 pellet/corn mix. Both worked well.

Have fun and Happy 2010 to you.
jay

P.S. I found the chart. I timed these with a stop watch and recorded. Not sure if the times would be any where near the same for the M55. I have a 3 RPM auger and the M55 has a 2 RPM auger. So I am sure Enviro changed the feeds. But you can get an idea of what they are doing.

 

[Benski]

You can try straight corn in the pellet mode. But I would trim the comb air to max and drop the feed to the minimum inthe heat range (4-1). I used this for the switch grass pellets I tried. It worked pretty good. I didn't try it with straight corn though. I only tried switch grass and 60/40 pellet/corn mix. Both worked well.

Jay,

You are right. I tried corn in Regular Pellet mode, maximum combustion air trim setting and feed trim untouched (I'd guess it's factory set at 3). Heat level was set at 4.

It's been working nice all day today, with very decent heat output (measured at 400°F, pellets being 430-490°F for the same settings). The stove was in Hi-Lo mode and allowed to idle as often as needed because it is very mild here today.

When the hopper empties tonight, I will resume testing ash level with a full hopper of 100% corn.

Bye,

 

[davevassar]

Any chance you could add Green Supreme pellets?

 

[countk]

Any chance you could add Green Supreme pellets?

Green Supreme is now Dragon Mountain, they were formerly bagged by NEWP. At any rate, IMHO I think they are one of the best pellets out there, even better than Okies. I would love to see someone test these against Okies, Ligs, Barefoot, Spruce Points etc.

 

[jtakeman]

Any chance you could add Green Supreme pellets?

Green Supreme is now Dragon Mountain, they were formerly bagged by NEWP. At any rate, IMHO I think they are one of the best pellets out there, even better than Okies. I would love to see someone test these against Okies, Ligs, Barefoot, Spruce Points etc.

I am trying to get them. No one near me has them, So I would need to travel 60 miles or so to get them. Funds are tight and time is not on my side. I will do my best in the next Pellet House "Ultimate pellet" search test I do.

jay

 

[56 chevtruck]

good job jay and benski. it sure helps when a new brand comes along as i am curious as to how good each new brand is for heat output. benski is walmart selling pellets up your way yet? winnepeg forest products try those.

 

[tinkabranc]

Any chance you could add Green Supreme pellets?

Green Supreme is now Dragon Mountain, they were formerly bagged by NEWP. At any rate, IMHO I think they are one of the best pellets out there, even better than Okies. I would love to see someone test these against Okies, Ligs, Barefoot, Spruce Points etc.

I agree with countk that Green Supreme aka Dragon Mtn are one of the best out there.
They are my favorite out of all I have tried to date.

Okies and Barefoot are awesome pellets too but still don't beat em. IMO of course ;-)

 

[Benski]

benski is walmart selling pellets up your way yet? winnepeg forest products try those.

I did not even think about looking for pellets in a Wall-Mart! I was more thinking about Hardware stores and maybe Costco. I'll sure have a look at Wall-Mart next time I go.

Bye

 

[56 chevtruck]

i have tried all brands available in maritimes. except walmart ones.

 

[CanadaClinker]

i have tried all brands available in maritimes. except walmart ones.

I see our Canadian Tire sells Winnipeg Forest Products for $299 a ton but haven't checked on a bag price nor tried any yet... still working on 4 1/2 tons of ligs....... would be interested if anyone has tried them (Winnipeg FP) for feedback.... I don't know when we will see ligs again around here any time soon....... cc. :-S

 

[jtakeman]

Well I have gathered all I can. Money's gone and sick of traveling and looking at pellets. So this is the final list unless something falls from the sky.

Hardwoods
Barefoots*
Corinth√
Cubex√
Dry Creek√
Hamer√
Juniata√
Kentucky Kernel√
O Malley√
Turmans√

Softwoods
Lake Region√
Okanagans*
Pure Fire√
Rocky Mnt*
Spruce Pts√

Blend
ACP√
Energex Canadian√
Lignetics*
NEWP√

* note these results
will be taken from
the other test

√ =purchased

I have already started to burn some last weekend and continuing this starting tonight. I will start the new thread this weekend or sometime early next week. Just FYI.

Benski, I burned the Cubex already and my results were similar to yours. They are one of the best I have seen locally. Top notch and screaming hot pellets.

On another note we finally got the grade on the cabin project. 100+. So we achieved the A we were looking for. Believe it or not the Plus came from the wifes touch in the garden. She made it look like there was corn planted(dried straw) and the teacher was thrilled with it, Go figure. We will take the A and have a pizza party to celebrate! whew!

 

[gbreda]

Well I have gathered all I can. Money's gone and sick of traveling and looking at pellets. So this is the final list unless something falls from the sky.

I have already started to burn some last weekend and continuing this starting tonight. I will start the new thread this weekend or sometime early next week. Just FYI.

Benski, I burned the Cubex already and my results were similar to yours. They are one of the best I have seen locally. Top notch and screaming hot pellets.

On another note we finally got the grade on the cabin project. 100+. So we achieved the A we were looking for. Believe it or not the Plus came from the wifes touch in the garden. She made it look like there was corn planted(dried straw) and the teacher was thrilled with it, Go figure. We will take the A and have a pizza party to celebrate! whew!

Damn Jay, this was some undertaking this season. My only worry is the "sick of traveling and looking at pellets". I hope that you have not gone and burnt out of Pellet Head status. Maybe some R and R at at pellet retreat will do you and the missus some good after all is said and done. Maybe macman can send some of those Pellet Pig dues your way to fund a weekend of fun in the sun :lol:

You know, I kind of forgot about Lakes Region. They are only about 15 miles from me. I'm pretty sure that the Aubechon or True Value 5 minutes from me carry them. maybe a few bag test is due this weekend this those for me.

Good luck and from all of us out here, THANK YOU. The work you put in to this test is incredible.

Congrats to your son, you and your wife on the cabin. If you all put the same effort into that as these test, it's no wonder he got an A+

Geno

 

[gbreda]

error, double post.........

 

[jtakeman]

Well I have gathered all I can. Money's gone and sick of traveling and looking at pellets. So this is the final list unless something falls from the sky.

I have already started to burn some last weekend and continuing this starting tonight. I will start the new thread this weekend or sometime early next week. Just FYI.

Benski, I burned the Cubex already and my results were similar to yours. They are one of the best I have seen locally. Top notch and screaming hot pellets.

On another note we finally got the grade on the cabin project. 100+. So we achieved the A we were looking for. Believe it or not the Plus came from the wifes touch in the garden. She made it look like there was corn planted(dried straw) and the teacher was thrilled with it, Go figure. We will take the A and have a pizza party to celebrate! whew!

Damn Jay, this was some undertaking this season. My only worry is the "sick of traveling and looking at pellets". I hope that you have not gone and burnt out of Pellet Head status. Maybe some R and R at at pellet retreat will do you and the missus some good after all is said and done. Maybe macman can send some of those Pellet Pig dues your way to fund a weekend of fun in the sun :lol:
You know, I kind of forgot about Lakes Region. They are only about 15 miles from me. I'm pretty sure that the Aubechon or True Value 5 minutes from me carry them. maybe a few bag test is due this weekend this those for me.

Good luck and from all of us out here, THANK YOU. The work you out in to this test is incredible.

Congrats to your son, you and your wife on the cabin. If you all put the same effort into that as these test, it's no wonder he got an A+

macman, and I were just chatting. I got a weekend of pellet stove and beer all lined up. That ought to fix me right up. But really its about time. We are going bonkers at work now. So the time isn't there to do all the traveling to get what I want. So its more frustrating than anything. I wanted to get more of the bigger names. Propellet and Dragon Mountains. I was even offer free propellets. But no time to go get them. But this will have to do. I can always test them later. There is always next fall.

With the lake regions(I wont bash but!) Proceed with caution. Keep that pot scraper handy. wink!

I hope to start posting results soon!
jay