Offical Pennington Pellets 2008

[eric_s]

I just opened up my first 2 bags of Pennington pellets. Purchased 20 bags at BJs this summer when they had them for $230/ton. Figured I'd try a few. I've only burned Energex Hardwood so far, but these pellets have considerably more fines. Also the variability in pellet length if far greater with some as long as 2+". I figured for the price it was worth it to try them, but probably won't buy them again. I've already loaded a few bags in the hopper, but think I might try sifting them before loading the next bags.

 

[sydney1963]

Eric,

Me too, for an experiment I sifted one bag of Pennington pellets and got at least 3 cups of sawdust. They do burn well and put out a lot of heat (what's left that is). I have 3 tons in my basement that I purchased early summer at $235 ish a ton. I have rigged up a way with my Shop Vac to vacuum the fines out of the pellets if anyone is interested.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

what pennington pellets ive seen so far this season (which havent been a lot i must admit as they arent as prevelant a brand locally as some) have seemed to be a quality pellet. granted there were some issues with some of their product last year and i feel that the company did some admirable things to make right the issue. i applaud them for that. this season i'd like to see some reviews for them based solely on experience of this season. ocasionally "stuff happens" the real display of the company's "true grit" for lack of a better description is how they handle the shortcomings of the last season. quite simply the quality of the product they offer us. so, try em , write a review and be honest. tell the community what you think. the proof will be in the pudding.

for the record, the only affiliation i have had with pennington was help with a DIY network show which ESW provided stoves for the show. that said the company reps were very attentive to me and did learn of this website from me before any issues they faced were noted here. they want to be a big name in the pellet fuel industry, input from here is likely monitored so make your case, good or bad its gonna help them give you a better product

 

[JBlank912]

Are the bags datecoded? That is supposed to be how to tell if they are this year or last years batch (as happened to me). Also call them if there is a problem. They were very responsive to my issues when I called.

 

[schenkp]

Are the bags datecoded? That is supposed to be how to tell if they are this year or last years batch (as happened to me). Also call them if there is a problem. They were very responsive to my issues when I called.

My bags have a bar code on them with some numbers how can i tell if they are last years or this years?

 

[JBlank912]

The date coded bags are either printed seprate from the usual bar code or physically stamped (3 dimensional type) into the bag. As I said mine were not date coded so I can only say what I was told. Still, give the company a call, they really are polite and responsive.

 

[slls]

I am burning some right now, fogs up the windows more, good heat. Dated 8-29-08 and bar coded, I would buy them again. Paid $4.94 a bag, now $5.75, even Walmart sticks it to you .

 

[schenkp]

The date coded bags are either printed seprate from the usual bar code or physically stamped (3 dimensional type) into the bag. As I said mine were not date coded so I can only say what I was told. Still, give the company a call, they really are polite and responsive.

Can you take a quick picture and upload it here I'm curious as to what it looks like.

 

[schenkp]

I am burning some right now, fogs up the windows more, good heat. Dated 8-29-08 and bar coded, I would buy them again. Paid $4.94 a bag, now $5.75, even Walmart sticks it to you .

Can you take a quick picture of that one too and upload it please.

 

[slls]

Date is lower left and bar code lower right.

 

[Jester]

I havent had much problem with them, they seem to burn on par with the other bnrands ive tried

 

[eric_s]

I went back and checked my full bags. Appears some have date codes (May 08) and others do not. When I am ready to load my next two bags I will load one of each to see if there is a noticeable difference. But I will try to contact the manufacturer to see what they say. The bags I bought seemed to be in good shape and stacked well so I don't think it was from handling by the stores.

 

[sydney1963]

My Pennington pellets do not have a date code.

 

[pelletizer]

Burned 6 bags no problems not date coded purchased mid June.
From what I remember Pennington issue last year was isolated to 1 or 2 of their processing locations.

 

[ssupercoolss]

i bought one ton of natures heat last year at lowes in february. fought with them constantly. lots of dust, they did burn very hot though, but also didnt seem to burn down as far as other pellets. had to clean the burn pot more frequently, and actually cause many mis-fires.

 

[slls]

I have burned about 1 bag so far, burns good in my stove. I think compressed manure would burn in this stove.

 

[piscassic]

i don't have much of a frame of reference (first season burning), but they're burning pretty good to me. installed the stove sunday, and after about 48 hrs of burn time i've got very little ash (maybe 1/4") in the ash storage area of my 25-PDV, and they're putting out good heat. mine were manufactured and purchased in june of this year.

 

[JBlank912]

I have the 3 tons of Last years Pennington's that I have been using. I stopped at Walmart and they had this years Pennington's - Sate code October 2008. I bought 2 bags for comparison. This years are definitly different. Last years are 1/2 to 2" long, this years all seem to be about 3/4" long. This years are much darker and no fines in this years while last years have alot of fines. I'm not sure of the burning difference since I just put them in this Am and left my wife home with the stove.

 

[eric_s]

I have the 3 tons of Last years Pennington's that I have been using. I stopped at Walmart and they had this years Pennington's - Sate code October 2008. I bought 2 bags for comparison. This years are definitly different. Last years are 1/2 to 2" long, this years all seem to be about 3/4" long. This years are much darker and no fines in this years while last years have alot of fines. I'm not sure of the burning difference since I just put them in this Am and left my wife home with the stove.

I agree with you. I opened one of my date coded bags and there is a noticeable difference. Very little fines and the pellet length was much more consistent. I didn't pay attention to the color so I can't comment on that.

 

[kilarney]

I just bought 20 bags at Wal-Mart. I had a real bad experience with Penningtons last year, but I figured I'd give them one more try. I'll try a bag today.

I noticed that mine say that they are made in Canada. Anyone else have a bag that says this? I'm hoping that this is a good thing.

UPDATE: I just read this on Pennington's website:
And, Nature’s Heat is not dependent on foreign sources for materials. It is made completely with renewable hardwood waste materials from the U.S.

Hmm... Is it time to update the website?

 

[DiggerJim]

I just bought 20 bags at Wal-Mart. I had a real bad experience with Penningtons last year, but I figured I'd give them one more try. I'll try a bag today.

I noticed that mine say that they are made in Canada. Anyone else have a bag that says this? I'm hoping that this is a good thing.

UPDATE: I just read this on Pennington's website:
And, Nature’s Heat is not dependent on foreign sources for materials. It is made completely with renewable hardwood waste materials from the U.S.

Hmm... Is it time to update the website?

Well, some people think Canada is the 51st state

 

[sydney1963]

I bought 3 pallets of Pennington from HD. The first 3 bags I opened were light colored and lots of fines, enough so that I had to either sift or vac them (I'm talking probably 4 cups or so of sawdust). The 4th bag I opened were darker in color with almost no fines, at most half a cup (may have been from a different pallet). Both seem to burn well and no notice of more ash or less heat output. I sure hope I got mostly dark colored ones.

 

[Panhandler]

I bought 3 pallets of Pennington from HD. The first 3 bags I opened were light colored and lots of fines, enough so that I had to either sift or vac them (I'm talking probably 4 cups or so of sawdust). The 4th bag I opened were darker in color with almost no fines, at most half a cup (may have been from a different pallet). Both seem to burn well and no notice of more ash or less heat output. I sure hope I got mostly dark colored ones.

I have a half ton of what must be last years, judging by the fines and no date. Except for the dust, they seem fine. I have the PDVC also, and I've never had a problem with operations due to pellets in the stove for the 3 years I've burnt.

 

[kilarney]

I have to give credit where credit is due.

Last year, I harshly criticized Pennington pellets. The ones I bought were AWFUL.

I've burned two bags this year, and they have burned excellently. No complaints at all. Good heat, minimal fines and average ash.

I'm glad to see that Pennington is standing behind their product, and taking customer concerns to heart. This is the only reason why I gave them a second chance, and I am glad that I did.

My pellets were made in Canada - so YMMV.

 

[pelletizer]

Bought a bag dated 09/19/2008 from Walmart Epping NH and it is burning now.
The color was light compared to my 3 tons purchased early June 08 at Somersworth NH Home Depot.
The bag had a lot of fines and real small pcs that I sifted like Sydney1963 (could have been handled more from walmart it was an open pallet)
They took a little longer to ignite and the ash is different too it is more fluffy and not as grey but the burn good.
I prefer my Penningtons purchased in June over these September Penningtons.
I also tossed in a handfull of feline pine cat litter pellets after I cleaned out some ash They burned reel good "meow"