Okanagan Gold

[JohnD]

Has anyone tried these pellets? They are selling for $299/Ton.... Was wondering if they are worth that price?

 

[ttdberg]

I asked the same question a few months ago and got no replies. They just hit the market near the end of the last heating season, so I don't think there is much experience burning them yet. There are quite a few folks here (myself included) who bought some for this winter, so we should have a good idea soon. $290 - $300 seems to be the going rate for them in this area.

 

[Pete Zahria]

Don't forget... Okies are not the same Okie as they used to be.
They used to ship their stuff in bulk to be bagged in the northeast.
They no longer do that.

 

[ttdberg]

Read from post #8 here: Okanagan DF vs Okanagan Gold

AFAIK - all three kinds of Okanagan pellets (Golds, Platinums, and DFs) are bulk transported into Upton for bagging and distribution.

 

[Pete Zahria]

I don't think anyone says they aren't transported and bagged there..That's the process..
The question is, are they coming from the same western supplies.
If not, then they aren't the same "Okies" that people are accustomed to..
From what we hear, it is no.

 

[ttdberg]

Understood. Like I said - I do believe the Platinums are the same wood fiber they've always been. I've burned them in prior seasons and the ton I just bought earlier this year are indeed the same product. If they aren't, then Okanagan has done a great job of creating an exact replica of their own product.

 

[Danny9909]

I don't think anyone says they aren't transported and bagged there..That's the process..
The question is, are they coming from the same western supplies.
If not, then they aren't the same "Okies" that people are accustomed to..
From what we hear, it is no.

Just bought a ton of the Okies gold today I was told that they are trained in from georgia. When I bought the douglas Fir they said there trained in from Oregon. I did some research on Douglas fir and Oregon has one of the largest areas of Douglas fir in U.S

 

[daffonce]

Okanagan gold are syp they are shipped in bulk from georgia to upton and bagged there. They arent the same as black hill heat as had been speculated. Heres what 6 tons i. My basement looks like.

 

[bcpellet]

Understood. Like I said - I do believe the Platinums are the same wood fiber they've always been. I've burned them in prior seasons and the ton I just bought earlier this year are indeed the same product. If they aren't, then Okanagan has done a great job of creating an exact replica of their own product.

It's not Okanagan that's created an exact duplicate. It's the mill that's producing it and believe it or not this mill's production is a superior product.The okanagan platinum product is slightly inferior as in bulk shipments they lose 12-14% of pellets that turn to sawdust on the trip. enough said.

 

[jtakeman]

It's not Okanagan that's created an exact duplicate. It's the mill that's producing it and believe it or not this mill's production is a superior product.The okanagan platinum product is slightly inferior as in bulk shipments they lose 12-14% of pellets that turn to sawdust on the trip. enough said.

How is that so? The 86% is still the original and the 14% is the same fiber re-pelleted and mixed back in. Same process is applied to the gold brand.

Please take bcpellet with a grain of salt, He is in the industry and IMHO talking down the competitors product. Hey, He can't plug his product here of he'll end on the same note as sir BTU(Mr Warm) did!! No need to bash bc, Pretty sure his company is the maker of La Crete's.

Your La Crete's will speak for themselves!! Excellent pellet IMHO and usually found at right around the same dime as the Okies platinum and Okies gold.

So if your local dealer has supply issues with the Okies and has La Crete's instock? They are an excellent option!!

Yes, I too liked them very much!!

 

[Pete Zahria]

Maybe I am misreading.
It seemed more like he was saying the "new" Okies were better than what they used to be?
In other words... you still are buying an Okie, it's just better because the mill is putting out a superior pellet.
Maybe we are reading it differently...
Like if a good house brand peanut butter was taken over by Skippy..
Same name, better product.

 

[jtakeman]

Maybe I am misreading.
It seemed more like he was saying the "new" Okies were better than what they used to be?
In other words... you still are buying an Okie, it's just better because the mill is putting out a superior pellet.
Maybe we are reading it differently...
Like if a good house brand peanut butter was taken over by Skippy..
Same name, better product.

I read it as the BC mill(Okanagan plant) is making the superior product. Where it becomes inferior is when its bulk shipped and 12 to 14% settle out as fines and the Upton plant is re pelleting the fines to put back into them.

If I had 12 to 14% waste product. I too would try to find a way to get at least some of that back just to maximize the end dollar earned. It is a business and 12 to 14% scrap rate is a bit much to swallow!!

 

[Pete Zahria]

I thought the Upton plant was now getting their stock from eastern locations now, and not bulk shipped
from the west.?
But I admit, I do not know... not into it that deep..

(plus, I don't use them, so it doesn't really matter to me)

 

[jtakeman]

I thought the Upton plant was now getting their stock from eastern locations now, and not bulk shipped
from the west.?

Rumors say they are having issues with the rail service getting anything from the BC mill to the Upton plant. I wasn't told how they are still getting some of the BC stuff over to the plant.

The Okies gold is coming from a mill in Georgia and is a Southern Yellow Pine pellet. It is bulk shipped by rail to the Upton plant for bagging. And was brought in because the Okies Platinum mill can't get enough if any to the Upton plant. From what I was told everything Okanagan has shipped to the Upton plant bag is bulk delivered. Even the Douglas Fir pellet which is from Oregon. This includes the SPF pellet from the Okanagan plant in BC which goes in the Okies Platinum bag.

Just a little info,

They set up the Upton plant for bulk and to sift the pellets to remove all the settling(fines) which was a major complaint when they were trucking in the bagged Okies from the BC plant. Later they added the pellet mill to reuse the fines. The fines are then re pelleted and added back into the stream. And bagged with the original bulk shipped pellets.

Okies Platinum is the original BC softwood(red label).
Okies Gold is the Southern Yellow Pine pellet from Georgia
Okies DF is from Oregon(purple label)

No I don't work for them, Or do I care if you or anyone buys them. I just found their process interesting. The design was to keep waste to a minimum. I do like their product, But also like many of the other BC softies. But in today's economy and the current prices. I can't afford to be that spendy!

 

[New Hampshire Jim]

This is an explanation taken from another FORUM of the Okanagan brand straight from the supplier MR. (BTU)

Okie Douglas Fir is the top dog...don't think there is a better pellet in all of New England...YMMV of course...this pellet comes from Oregon (yes they are expensive, but most people are having to use less of these for a season, much less ash and a cleaner window than most other brands) That is good value.
Okie Platinum is our original SPF (spruce, pine, fir) pellet from Western Canada...very light in color and also is a preferred product for horse bedding
Okie Gold is a Southern Yellow Pine pellet and comes from GA, out of one of the largest pellet mills in the world...Great pellet at a good price point.

Our Platinum are in short supply and have been for 2 years now, probably will be for 2 more years

All three brands are softwood, with well above average heat, little ash (especially the Douglas Fir) and sell everything we can bring into New England

Black Hills Heat is no longer available in NA...it is a brand we sell in Europe

We do NOT set dealer pricing...never have, never will...they set their price based on what they feel their market will bare.

 

[Danny9909]

I read it as the BC mill(Okanagan plant) is making the superior product. Where it becomes inferior is when its bulk shipped and 12 to 14% settle out as fines and the Upton plant is re pelleting the fines to put back into them.

If I had 12 to 14% waste product. I too would try to find a way to get at least some of that back just to maximize the end dollar earned. It is a business and 12 to 14% scrap rate is a bit much to swallow!!

They set up the Upton plant for bulk and to sift the pellets to remove all the settling(fines) which was a major complaint when they were trucking in the bagged Okies from the BC plant. Later they added the pellet mill to reuse the fines. The fines are then re pelleted and added back into the stream. And bagged with the original bulk shipped pellets.

 

[Fx4pitrone]

So I hope these oki golds turn out to be a hot pellet. I had 5 tons of lacrete pre ordered and now my supplier called and said they don't think they will even get 1 truck load of them now! Very pissed cuz I took care of the pre order back in the summer to secure those and now I'm left scrambling around to find pellets. They are getting a truck of oki golds next week so I guess that's what I'm taking.... Can anyone give feedback on them that has burned them this year?
Thanks

 

[ttdberg]

I have only burned one bag so far. Ash is fine - light grey in color, and not much of it. Not sure about the heat output yet, because it hasn't been cold enough to really put the stove through a strong burn. Will report back when I have conclusive data on the heat output. Curious, what was the reason given (if any) for not getting any La Cretes?

 

[Fx4pitrone]

One person yesterday told me the mill was "down" and a different person there today told me they were beyond backed up....

 

[Danny9909]

I have only burned one bag so far. Ash is fine - light grey in color, and not much of it. Not sure about the heat output yet, because it hasn't been cold enough to really put the stove through a strong burn. Will report back when I have conclusive data on the heat output. Curious, what was the reason given (if any) for not getting any La Cretes?

Heat output is around 8700

 

[jtakeman]

Heat output is around 8700

I see 8300 on the bags. Where did you see the 8700?

 

[bcpellet]

One person yesterday told me the mill was "down" and a different person there today told me they were beyond backed up....

Just curious, which dealer said he wasn't going to get any Lacrete's.

 

[Danny9909]

I see 8300 on the bags. Where did you see the 8700?

Sorry pretty sure that's what it says on there website .

 

[Fx4pitrone]

Just curious, which dealer said he wasn't going to get any Lacrete's.

Fireside Supply