I could easily pull the Somerset bags open without using the scisors I leave close to the stove, but I never had any problem with a bag ripping open. Being my first year with Sets I have no comparison, except that these TSC Equine Bedding Pellets seem to be much more ashy for me. The Equine pellets also have no recycling symbol on them that I can find (and are of a different and heavier type of plastic for sure). If you can catch them on sale its a good deal. Regular price isnt any cheaper than other pellets and actually a bit more (around here, of course prices are regional).
I'm with you. No offence to any of the pellet pigs but the prices are getting a bit out of hand (and around here isnt nearly as much as I hear people paying for up in New England). I've got a few cord split and stacked, and can get the compressed logs for about $210/ton (cheaper than most pellets) so I plan on the wood stove being primary and the pellet being supplemental. Not sure if I'll mess with propane unless the price is really good. I still think I at least broke even since the stove was inexpensive, but then again since it was inexpensive its also given me fits and performed poorly I'm sure compared to the +4k burners out there.Once bitten twice shy. I'm going to wood for primary heat next year.