Pellets to Avoid

[tnt8281]

Potomacs. Will not burn on any setting besides heat range 8 or 9. And then in just a couple hours burn pot is a solid block and windows are black. I bought the potomacs and a skid of lignetics(west Virginia) from pelletsdirect. The lignetics burn on any setting adequately. The potomacs fail! I am beginning to think the potomacs are wet.

Do the microwave test to find out if they are wet.

 

[jtakeman]

Potomacs. Will not burn on any setting besides heat range 8 or 9. And then in just a couple hours burn pot is a solid block and windows are black. I bought the potomacs and a skid of lignetics(west Virginia) from pelletsdirect. The lignetics burn on any setting adequately. The potomacs fail! I am beginning to think the potomacs are wet.

Do the microwave test to find out if they are wet.

X2 Best way to see how much moisture is really in them pellets.

 

[packerfan]

I have to agree with the other folks that mentioned Marth pellets, also sold under the name Pennywise. I tried em a few years back, and they were terrible. Lots of ash and fines. They make a softwood though that I may try a couple of bags of one of these days, but I will never again but the hardwoods.

 

[Gweeper64]

Potomacs. Will not burn on any setting besides heat range 8 or 9. And then in just a couple hours burn pot is a solid block and windows are black. I bought the potomacs and a skid of lignetics(west Virginia) from pelletsdirect. The lignetics burn on any setting adequately. The potomacs fail! I am beginning to think the potomacs are wet.

I tried a few bags of Potomacs recently that I picked up at Lowes. They weren't too bad. No where near as good as Okie's (the only other softwood I have tried) but they weren't completely terrible. You could be right that the ones you got had some moisture in them.

 

[nosaudioil]

I bought 3 tons of Nature's Own at a "local" Lowe's. The heat is good, but abundant ash and weird clinkers.
What the heck is in this product? Supposedly low ash (1 %), less than 0.5%, material is from wood (thank goodness), sodium less than 300PPM (?) premium grade! The company is in Quebec, The Premium Pellet Corp.

 

[kinglew]

worst pellets i ever burned hardwood heat sold by tsc 3 seasons ago .burned in breckwell 2700 and also new englander summer heat sp55. very dirty lots of clinkers and fines

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

I bought 3 tons of Nature's Own at a "local" Lowe's. The heat is good, but abundant ash and weird clinkers.
What the heck is in this product? Supposedly low ash (1 %), less than 0.5%, material is from wood (thank goodness), sodium less than 300PPM (?) premium grade! The company is in Quebec, The Premium Pellet Corp.

Remember the ash % is a by weight figure and since ash can be heavy or light, you are seeing volume and not weight.

Clinkers are bad news, whenever moisture, the mineral content in the ash, and heat are just right the ash will sinter and you then have a lovely clinker.

 

[fitnesstech]

avoid pellets stored outside.

Eric

Why? New to this pellet stove thing. Mine is up and running and I will post picks soon

 

[Excell]

The worst pellet I ever burned ,Prairie pellet Co second Winnipeg Forest products .Both burn dirty and poor heat .

 

[mpodolski]

if you need tons of ashes for driveway traction appling county. Oh yeah they are great for keeping your home nice and cool....worst junk ever. I went to an online dealer after getting these from a local guy.

 

[krooser]

avoid pellets stored outside.

Eric

Why? New to this pellet stove thing. Mine is up and running and I will post picks soon

Moisture concerns.... pellet bags have tiny holes in them that allow the air to escape when they are stacked... those holes allow moisture in and ruin the product.

 

[esuitt]

I have one! Penningtons from Walmart, ran out and had to get them on an emergency for Thanksgiving! Next time I run out I will turn on my oil heat! PERIOD
I do not if it was the bad pellets or not, but it took me 2 days and help from these guys to get it straight.
LOVE LIGNETICS. Just picked up my 1st ton yesterday.

 

[WoodPorn]

N E W E N G L A N D W O O D P E L L E T S!

I've had Infernos burn better than NEWP's

 

[mpodolski]

oh almost forgot the cardboard pellets I tried once that were made locally....cardboard + plastic = reall bad

 

[perchin]

1. Michigan/North Country wood pellets
2. Maeder Brothers

yeah... my supplier won't even sell the Michigan's anymore..nor pennyington's...nor pro-pellet. However he still sells Maeder Brothers. The first year we burned we ran Maeder's without any problems, but the second year we hadn't gotten through 6 bags at a time without problems. I just can't see running them ever again.... heck or anything other than Uncle Jed's Softwood for that matter.

 

[countk]

N E W E N G L A N D W O O D P E L L E T S!

I've had Infernos burn better than NEWP's

NEWP had a bad batch from a different plant at one point last year. They corrected that and in my opinion are a very decent pellet. Perhaps you got some of the bad batch?

 

[poconoman]

Bayou, Inferno, Appling County, Tree Cycle, American Energex, Michigan's, Corinths

I thought Treecycle was better now. Am I missing something?

 

[DMZX]

I have one! Penningtons from Walmart, ran out and had to get them on an emergency for Thanksgiving! Next time I run out I will turn on my oil heat! PERIOD
I do not if it was the bad pellets or not, but it took me 2 days and help from these guys to get it straight.
LOVE LIGNETICS. Just picked up my 1st ton yesterday.

I bought a bag of WM Penningtons sold as Natures Fuel. They were in the store racks for $5.00. When I opened the bag and poured them, it was obvious they had been wet, or at least some of them. The swollen ones were dry to the touch, but the process of getting wet and swollen had resulted in about 1/4 of the bag being heavy fines. They burned alright, but I had to toss the last part of the bag out.

 

[Toycruiser84]

lignetics average heat kinda dirty and too expensive where im at. maines choice horrible ash i would avoid. My Emglander loves fireside ultras. High heat, pretty clean and the best part cheap 209 a ton compared to ligs 270

 

[Wi Thundercat]

1. Michigan/North Country wood pellets
2. Maeder Brothers

yeah... my supplier won't even sell the Michigan's anymore..nor pennyington's...nor pro-pellet. However he still sells Maeder Brothers. The first year we burned we ran Maeder's without any problems, but the second year we hadn't gotten through 6 bags at a time without problems. I just can't see running them ever again.... heck or anything other than Uncle Jed's Softwood for that matter.

Uncle Jed's rock! Picked up 2 tons last weekend for when the weather turns really cold! Until then i will burn the Indeck pellets.

 

[Havlat24]

avoid pellets stored outside.

Eric

Spruce Pointe is stored outside.....one of the best pellets you can buy!

 

[curtthegreat]

Michigans, Maeder Bros..

X2

 

[ironpony]

AWP was the least impressive of what I have burned
way to much ash
Somerset has been the best
then Hardwood Heat from TSC,
which are rebagged ???
dont remember whose

 

[Gweeper64]

edit: oops never mind.... redundant question.

 

[jtakeman]

AWP was the least impressive of what I have burned
way to much ash
Somerset has been the best
then Hardwood Heat from TSC,
which are rebagged ???
dont remember whose

Rebagged Hamer Hot Ones.