Pellet choice in Bucks County PA

[jtakeman]

which debunks the opinion that Chows and Energex are the same pellet.

How so, Because you got batch variance?

Both brands are made in the Mifflintown, PA plant. Intell I got came from a pellet rep that visited the mill several years back and saw them baggin the Stove Chows. Stove Chow is an owned brand name of Energex.

 

[alternativeheat]

Maybe so. I'm not here to argue.

 

[Tonyray]

How so, Because you got batch variance?

Both brands are made in the Mifflintown, PA plant. Intell I got came from a pellet rep that visited the mill several years back and saw them baggin the Stove Chows. Stove Chow is an owned brand name of Energex.


View attachment 146493

Stove Chow is an owned brand name of Energex.
Yes it Is...
but,
Stove chow is bagged and distributed by Energex just like a slew of other brands that go to big box stores under different names.
doesn't mean that they actually manufacture them...
If you look up Energex site Mifflintown,Pa they only actually manufacture Energex hardwoods and Energex golden Pellets.[Below]
Energex Canadian plant manufactures the Energex softwood and softwood blends.... Fireside Ultras are bagged and distributed at same plant.
Million products are sold to Walmart. ...Walmart's " Great Value" is a Walmart Trademark but doesn't mean they actually make the product.
If I was a wood pellet manufacturer, I would want the biggest distributor on the Eastern Seaboard Energex
buying, bagging, and sending my pellets to the Big Box Stores....under whatever name they wanted to use...
Even the smell of chows out of the bag or even burning is different than Energex hardwoods.
burned enough tons of both to know..

 

[jtakeman]

Believe what you'd like, But Energex only operates one mill in the US and One in Ca.

 

[Tonyray]

Believe what you'd like, But Energex only operates one mill in the US and One in Ca.

If you read back again,
I think I stated that above...

chows , like other [Home depot/Lowes sold pellets are bagged/distributed at the[1] Pa plant and/or the [1] Canadian Plant...

 

[jtakeman]

I didn't get where you were going, Are you saying they do bag them there, But different fiber/process for each brand or purchase product from another manufacture?

Only special blend AFAIK is the new Golden. Which is select fiber(from specific lumber producers that has tested to be cleaner than the general stuff). Which requires a mill shutdown and clean out much like what MWP had to do when they produced their softwood pellets. Probably why the product is in limited supplies as its most likely produced during the beginning of the summer run. I doubt they'd shutdown for each product batch run. Too much money lost and time wasted.

All other brands are using the general fiber that is bought off the open market from different lumber produces. With the amount of product Energex produces, I highly doubt they'd do much process changing. They just pump them out using the fiber on hand. About the only thing that changes is the bag on the line.

I also doubt that they'd buy pellets from another maker/mill. They have enough capacity and buying product would be another money loss seeing they have the capacity. IMHO.

If you look at NEWP's as an Example. They produce Warm Front along with their NEWP's and now Green Supreme's. There is a letter from the mill rep stating they are the same pellets.

There used to be a Energex rep that hung here. Maybe someone should contact them?

 

[Tonyray]

I didn't get where you were going, Are you saying they do bag them there, But different fiber/process for each brand or purchase product from another manufacture?

Only special blend AFAIK is the new Golden. Which is select fiber(from specific lumber producers that has tested to be cleaner than the general stuff). Which requires a mill shutdown and clean out much like what MWP had to do when they produced their softwood pellets. Probably why the product is in limited supplies as its most likely produced during the beginning of the summer run. I doubt they'd shutdown for each product batch run. Too much money lost and time wasted.

All other brands are using the general fiber that is bought off the open market from different lumber produces. With the amount of product Energex produces, I highly doubt they'd do much process changing. They just pump them out using the fiber on hand. About the only thing that changes is the bag on the line.

I also doubt that they'd buy pellets from another maker/mill. They have enough capacity and buying product would be another money loss seeing they have the capacity. IMHO.

If you look at NEWP's as an Example. They produce Warm Front along with their NEWP's and now Green Supreme's. There is a letter from the mill rep stating they are the same pellets.

There used to be a Energex rep that hung here. Maybe someone should contact them?

that would deff clear things up.
Not an Expensive project to purchase Bulk Pellets all ready processed to bag and distribute.
All the exspensive work done pre-purchase.
At No Energex web site is any mention of The Manufacturing of any thing other than Energex Hardwoods and Energex Golden Pellet hardwoods.
Canadian site the same.. just Softwoods.

 

[jtakeman]

At No Energex web site is any mention of The Manufacturing of any thing other than Energex Hardwoods and Energex Golden Pellet hardwoods.
Canadian site the same.. just Softwoods.

Thats because you'll see Premier pellet on the Chow,Natures Own bags. Not Energex as it isolated them from dealer stocked brands to keep dealers from getting pizzed at them. Same as you won't see NEWP on the Green Supreme bags as they too are box store bounds.

NEWP had the dealers in an uproar a few years back when they let some NEWPs hit the boxstore in the same bag as the dealers got. The next season out came the Greennies to hush the dealers.

I still don't believe the mill is doing anything different between the premiem brands and I have asked many pellet dealers and reps. Nor do I think they would purchase a product they could easily make themselves. They'd just purchase the cheapest link(fiber) and keep their staff in production.

This isn't a 50K ton max mill. This mill alone is capable of producing 100K to 125K tons a season. The only thing that limits their output is fiber supply. As CTpellet called them Fiber hoggs!!

 

[bas157]

Davis Feed Mill in Rushland carries O'Malley. Few weeks ago it looks like they had lots of them. I think the price was $235/ton. I know they were cheaper than HD.

 

[Tonyray]

Davis Feed Mill in Rushland carries O'Malley. Few weeks ago it looks like they had lots of them. I think the price was $235/ton. I know they were cheaper than HD.

don't know how much more HD can keep raising prices on the Ashy pellets before they get close to the private dealers prices with better stock .
would like to see that happen.

 

[alternativeheat]

Thats because you'll see Premier pellet on the Chow,Natures Own bags. Not Energex as it isolated them from dealer stocked brands to keep dealers from getting pizzed at them. Same as you won't see NEWP on the Green Supreme bags as they too are box store bounds.

NEWP had the dealers in an uproar a few years back when they let some NEWPs hit the boxstore in the same bag as the dealers got. The next season out came the Greennies to hush the dealers.

I still don't believe the mill is doing anything different between the premiem brands and I have asked many pellet dealers and reps. Nor do I think they would purchase a product they could easily make themselves. They'd just purchase the cheapest link(fiber) and keep their staff in production.

This isn't a 50K ton max mill. This mill alone is capable of producing 100K to 125K tons a season. The only thing that limits their output is fiber supply. As CTpellet called them Fiber hoggs!!

All they have to do is let the Chows run down the line, if a few Energex mix in during the change over it's not a biggy. I worked in a soft drink facility and they ran an extra few bottles while the line fed the next syrup mix. Certain products needed a full flush . Like root beer to a lemon flavor or from soda to plain water. They bottled their own water under their own label but also brought in by contract someone who wanted their water bottled up. It had to be 10% natural spring water by law because their bottle labels said spring water. A separate holding tank went in to mix their water with ours and their water was hauled in from the mountains someplace. So their water under a whole different brand name came down the same lines as our reverse osmosis filtered water did, mixed with ours and went in their bottles with their label. It was not 100% the same water and not the same packaging. By law it had to state where it was bottled, which was our facility at our address and that was on the label. One could think all day long that it was the same water, to which it was not. They also didn't last in the market and folded but that is neither here nor there to the point..

I used to have bulk oil shipped to my shop ( before I retired). On board was more than one product , often my Chevron Delo 15-40 truck oil and in the next compartment Another brand 5-30 car oil and the next might be their own blend of 0-20 synthetic. All the delivery guy did is near the end of pumping my oil he timed out a change over to the next delivery, ran the hose and pump systems worth of 15-40 out into my tank while say 5-30 came down the line and stopped pumping. And that's it. All the truck said on it was Ocean State Oil. Paper work, Ocean State Oil such and such location Ri. The invoicing stated what you got and the cost of course. Did a touch of my oil get in the next 5-30 delivery, probably so. Residue from the lines and valving undoubtedly..

Do you think the Cub Cadet you buy from HD is the same Cub Cadet you buy from the implement store ? How about the Ariens snow blowers ? I've looked them over close, they are not the same product. The hardware is cheaper at HD and lighter components, they are all the low end product line of the manufacturer to begin with.. They sell only up to a certain level machine to begin with. You can buy the good heavy duty Cadet from the implement store. The GT's from the implement store and the blowers with cast iron gear case instead of aluminum at the implement store. It's the low end product line going to HD. In most cases cheaper at HD but for an obvious reason. Will the tractor cut grass? Ya, will the blower blow snow ? Yes. But I got to tell you I bought my Husqvarna GT from the implement guys and my snow blower too. I have the Tough Torque K66 tranny with locking diff in mine, the HD version has one wheel drive with a hydro gear . I can dig both wheels of my tractor into the ground if I wanted to and the Hydro Gear will sit there and slip till it burns up trying to turn one wheel.. Big difference.

So, is it fathomable that there is a difference between Energex and Stove Chow pellets ? Absolutely. All I can say is I get a lot more ash from the later, though I have no proof to offer other than that at this point in time that they are different pellets. But I strongly suspect so, different in some way..

 

[Tonyray]

All they have to do is let the Chows run down the line, if a few Energex mix in during the change over it's not a biggy. I worked in a soft drink facility and they ran an extra few bottles while the line fed the next syrup mix. Certain products needed a full flush . Like root beer to a lemon flavor or from soda to plain water. They bottled their own water under their own label but also brought in by contract someone who wanted their water bottled up. It had to be 10% natural spring water by law because their bottle labels said spring water. A separate holding tank went in to mix their water with ours and their water was hauled in from the mountains someplace. So their water under a whole different brand name came down the same lines as our reverse osmosis filtered water did, mixed with ours and went in their bottles with their label. It was not 100% the same water and not the same packaging. By law it had to state where it was bottled, which was our facility at our address and that was on the label. One could think all day long that it was the same water, to which it was not. They also didn't last in the market and folded but that is neither here nor there to the point..

I used to have bulk oil shipped to my shop ( before I retired). On board was more than one product , often my Chevron Delo 15-40 truck oil and in the next compartment Another brand 5-30 car oil and the next might be their own blend of 0-20 synthetic. All the delivery guy did is near the end of pumping my oil he timed out a change over to the next delivery, ran the hose and pump systems worth of 15-40 out into my tank while say 5-30 came down the line and stopped pumping. And that's it. All the truck said on it was Ocean State Oil. Paper work, Ocean State Oil such and such location Ri. The invoicing stated what you got and the cost of course. Did a touch of my oil get in the next 5-30 delivery, probably so. Residue from the lines and valving undoubtedly..

Do you think the Cub Cadet you buy from HD is the same Cub Cadet you buy from the implement store ? How about the Ariens snow blowers ? I've looked them over close, they are not the same product. The hardware is cheaper at HD and lighter components, they are all the low end product line of the manufacturer to begin with.. They sell only up to a certain level machine to begin with. You can buy the good heavy duty Cadet from the implement store. The GT's from the implement store and the blowers with cast iron gear case instead of aluminum at the implement store. It's the low end product line going to HD. In most cases cheaper at HD but for an obvious reason. Will the tractor cut grass? Ya, will the blower blow snow ? Yes. But I got to tell you I bought my Husqvarna GT from the implement guys and my snow blower too. I have the Tough Torque K66 tranny with locking diff in mine, the HD version has one wheel drive with a hydro gear . I can dig both wheels of my tractor into the ground if I wanted to and the Hydro Gear will sit there and slip till it burns up trying to turn one wheel.. Big difference.

So, is it fathomable that there is a difference between Energex and Stove Chow pellets ? Absolutely. All I can say is I get a lot more ash from the later, though I have no proof to offer other than that at this point in time that they are different pellets. But I strongly suspect so, different in some way..

since I have burned 2 tons of each I can't concede that they are the same pellet...too many differences in smell and performance..
Manufactured by Energex or bagged/distributed by Energex? really doesn't matter to me at this point as I will not be getting Chows anymore or any pellets from greedy Home Depot.
the prices are slowely getting closer to better pellets from local dealers..
Last year 229.00 ton for pellets at HD and whatnot was a good deal but not now...

 

[alternativeheat]

since I have burned 2 tons of each I can't concede that they are the same pellet...too many differences in smell and performance..
Manufactured by Energex or bagged/distributed by Energex? really doesn't matter to me at this point as I will not be getting Chows anymore or any pellets from greedy Home Depot.
the prices are slowely getting closer to better pellets from local dealers..
Last year 229.00 ton for pellets at HD and whatnot was a good deal but not now...

$269 is now the price at our local HDs. $299 for the real Energex hard wood with less ash.. $259 for the hotter Maine Wood blends at TSC.

 

[Wilbur Feral]

Re: pellets in Bucks county... I can't find Energex this far west (Chester co.) but have a source where I can buy them and have them delivered if in multi-ton quantities, next year. So, I'd like to buy a few bags (maybe 10) of regular Energex just to try this year before I commit to a large order in the spring. Either I or my wife are in Bucks now and then for business, along the Turnpike / Route 309 area. Is there a dealer along that route or close to it that regularly stocks regular Energex, that you would recommend?

And FWIW, I think your pellet selection is much better than ours. Only two box stores and three dealers that carry anything out this way. Box stores are hit and miss on both inventory and quality (mostly a miss there). One dealer is far to the west, another stocks limited quantities with uncertain supply and is a bit steep on pricing, and the third is eye-popping expensive IF they have inventory (and neither of those now deliver). I stocked up for the season, but want to do that again next year. The question is with what brand, and Energex is a contender... Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[F4jock]

Just a quick FYI from up here in Western Luzerne County. Only Big Box that has pellets is TSC. Generic label. Others are out with no idea of restock date. One stove supplier has Stove Pellets Inc. My Do-It has Lignetics. And it's only early December. . . .

 

[bas157]

Wilbur, there is a place in Elverson that carries Energex, not sure if they have any in-stock, but that is all they carry (www.chesterchimney.com). Other places that sell pellets There are 2 Agways(in West Chester and on Rt 100 near Pughtown) in Chester Co that sell pellets, 3 stove stores(The Stove Shop in Phoenixville-Hamer and Gas Works in Malvern, not sure what they carry this year) and the one previously listed in this post), one feed store near Morgantown(Nissley, carry Lignetics I think). Probably some more in other areas of Chester Co that I never go to.

 

[Magilla60]

Re: pellets in Bucks county... I can't find Energex this far west (Chester co.) but have a source where I can buy them and have them delivered if in multi-ton quantities, next year. So, I'd like to buy a few bags (maybe 10) of regular Energex just to try this year before I commit to a large order in the spring. Either I or my wife are in Bucks now and then for business, along the Turnpike / Route 309 area. Is there a dealer along that route or close to it that regularly stocks regular Energex, that you would recommend?

And FWIW, I think your pellet selection is much better than ours. Only two box stores and three dealers that carry anything out this way. Box stores are hit and miss on both inventory and quality (mostly a miss there). One dealer is far to the west, another stocks limited quantities with uncertain supply and is a bit steep on pricing, and the third is eye-popping expensive IF they have inventory (and neither of those now deliver). I stocked up for the season, but want to do that again next year. The question is with what brand, and Energex is a contender... Thanks in advance for any advice.

I get mine at E & E Chimney in Levittown pa lower buck but call first right now only selling to existing customers.

 

[Tonyray]

I get mine at E & E Chimney in Levittown pa lower buck but call first right now only selling to existing customers.

prob mentioned this before but, Also get pellets from E&E....Bought my Stove there also.
got 2 tons Energex hardwoods and 2 tons Energex golden pellets on the early buy back in the spring.
Goldens didn't come in till October .had deposit on them months ago..
The regular hardwoods were picked up and stored in my basement since May.
I only live about 1/4 mile from E&E storage building.

 

[Wilbur Feral]

Thanks, all. Will give E & E a call when I'm headed that way.

Bas157: I did not know about the Agways, as I'm rarely near them, looking at the map. May be near one tomorrow, though, so will check it out if I am. As it turns out I may be near Elverson tomorrow as well and may give those folks a call. Thank you!

I know of the two other shops you mentioned, and bought my Hamer's from Gasworks but they no longer deliver. I'll burn 6 tons this year, so picking that quantity up is just not an option, and I would like a multi-ton discount that they choose not to offer. I bought my stove from The Stove Shop and drive right by them often. Very nice showroom. Haven't been there for a couple of years, and suspect I won't be again, but thanks for the idea. Looks like I may be westward bound for some pellet scouting, and appreciate the help.

 

[alternativeheat]

Thanks, all. Will give E & E a call when I'm headed that way.

Bas157: I did not know about the Agways, as I'm rarely near them, looking at the map. May be near one tomorrow, though, so will check it out if I am. As it turns out I may be near Elverson tomorrow as well and may give those folks a call. Thank you!

I know of the two other shops you mentioned, and bought my Hamer's from Gasworks but they no longer deliver. I'll burn 6 tons this year, so picking that quantity up is just not an option, and I would like a multi-ton discount that they choose not to offer. I bought my stove from The Stove Shop and drive right by them often. Very nice showroom. Haven't been there for a couple of years, and suspect I won't be again, but thanks for the idea. Looks like I may be westward bound for some pellet scouting, and appreciate the help.

I think you better take what you can get where ever you can get it, this year isn't the year to be choosey. If your routine is to go pellet shopping in Dec and expect a special volume discount, that's a plan worth altering..

 

[Wilbur Feral]

I think you better take what you can get where ever you can get it, this year isn't the year to be choosey. If your routine is to go pellet shopping in Dec and expect a special volume discount, that's a plan worth altering..

Well, thanks for the unnecessary advice, but as earlier noted I am stocked up for the entire season this year and actually planning for NEXT year, by trying to test a brand or two that I have not yet tried, but which may be available from suppliers. My desire for a volume discount is for when I'm buying in the summer, in quantitites of up to 6 tons at a time. I don't know if you run a business or how you buy, but when I buy in quantity I usually expect a reasonable discount. So I'll "take what I can get", but it will probably be on terms I set, from a suppleir that values my business.

 

[alternativeheat]

Admittedly I did not read back. I took your single post on its face value. Sorry about that but it is surprising how many were late to the game this fall. Glad you are all set !

 

[F4jock]

Chill out Will. Alt was only trying to help.

 

[Wilbur Feral]

Admittedly I did not read back. I took your single post on its face value. Sorry about that but it is surprising how many were late to the game this fall. Glad you are all set !

All good, Alt. Apologies for being a bit testy.

 

[Wilbur Feral]

So, an update from the west... Chester Co. Hearth (Elverson) reports being out of pellets and is not sure when next order will arrive, per message on phone answering system. Agway in Pughtown has Lignetics, and AWF White Pine; however, they have a 10 bag minimum (not max), at $6.99 / bag. Was surprised at a minimum, and didn't want to try AWF WP enough to pay that for "test burn" pellets. Know and like Lignetics so no need there. Still searching for Energex to try.