I can only say good things about the 1/2 bag of these pellets I've burned so far. I'd say they are MUCH better than a shoulder pellet. I can't hold my hand 6" in front of the heat exchanger for more than 30 seconds!! They DO burn hot! Ash so far...hard to say for sure cuz I didn't empty the ash pan but doesn't seem to be too bad! No clinkers! No fines sticking to the sides of the bags...none seen at all so far! If you find them grab a few bags to try. Sadly, I doubt we'll see them here again but I'll report in to my TSC source