I'll be starting some pellet testing today on four different pellet brands available locally. It doesn't seem we have as big or as "high end" selection here in Central Illinois as many of you in the East and North East part of the country. These would likely to be considered your "shoulder season" pellets. I have been burning mainly a 50/50 corn/pellet mix for the last few weeks. I got lucky and bought some corn cheap and mixing with pellets helps "stretch" it out. I paid about the same for my corn and pellets. Looking forward, it appears that pellets are going to be cheaper than corn, thus time to test.
My tests will simply be for heat output measured in exchange tubes at intervals throughout burn period. Measurement will be taken with a Cole-Parmer Remote Monitoring Thermocouple Thermometer.
Burn Unit: Illinois Corn Stoves Biomass Furnace - This unit was originally manufactured for industrial and greenhouse use and has recently been adapted and is being sold for residential use.
The amount of fuel delivered for each auger speed setting 1-5 is a known amount for corn. I will burn with the auger on 3 for the entire test. With corn, auger 3 delivers about 10lbs per hour. I will time the consumption of pellets at this setting for an approximate "per hour" feed rate.
The contenders: Somerset Pellets - Found at most Menards locally - $194/ton everyday price - $174.50/ton typical sale price
Pennywise Pellets - Found at ONE local Menards - $194/ton everyday price - $174.50/ton typical sale price
Indeck Pellets - Found at ONE local Menards - $194/ton everyday price - $174.50/ton typical sale price
ProPellets - Found at local farm store - $194.50/ton everyday price - $169.50/ton typical sale price
My tests will simply be for heat output measured in exchange tubes at intervals throughout burn period. Measurement will be taken with a Cole-Parmer Remote Monitoring Thermocouple Thermometer.
Burn Unit: Illinois Corn Stoves Biomass Furnace - This unit was originally manufactured for industrial and greenhouse use and has recently been adapted and is being sold for residential use.
The amount of fuel delivered for each auger speed setting 1-5 is a known amount for corn. I will burn with the auger on 3 for the entire test. With corn, auger 3 delivers about 10lbs per hour. I will time the consumption of pellets at this setting for an approximate "per hour" feed rate.
The contenders: Somerset Pellets - Found at most Menards locally - $194/ton everyday price - $174.50/ton typical sale price
Pennywise Pellets - Found at ONE local Menards - $194/ton everyday price - $174.50/ton typical sale price
Indeck Pellets - Found at ONE local Menards - $194/ton everyday price - $174.50/ton typical sale price
ProPellets - Found at local farm store - $194.50/ton everyday price - $169.50/ton typical sale price