Preseason Sales in the Maritimes?

[fedtime]

Tim - That's about as good as it gets, I guess. I picked up three pallets of La Cretes and they seem to burn well.

Have you ever seen this ad? (broken link removed to http://www.kijiji.ca/v-stove-oven-range/bedford/pellets-stock-up-before-they-are-gone-one-week-only/1121437205?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true) This is a manufacturer of MDF trim in Hammonds Plains who presses his waste sawdust into wood pellets. I've never tried them as my knowledge of the MSD for MDF is that it should not be burned. The owner says it is ok, but I'm not convinced.

 

[Tim_M]

Yeah I've seen their ads for a while now. I've been thinking of picking up a few bags just to give them a try, But I'm a bit sceptical. Like you I've read that MDF doesn't make the best pellets due to the glue content.

 

[fedtime]

If you do, I'd be interested in hearing what you think about them. I'm told the MDF sawdust, which is almost a powder it is so fine, makes a very hard pellet.

My concern is with the enviro and health issues surrounding burning MDF. The MDS sheets I've seen say MDF should not be burned, so I don't understand how pelletizing it could change that - but, hey, I'm no expert by any means. It may be perfectly ok.

 

[fedtime]

Any news on prices this year?

What I've seen so far here in Nova Scotia: Canadian Tire: $5.99 - not sure of the brand; Kents: $5.99 (Canawicks); Home Hardware: $5.99 (Eastern Embers).

I know one retailer who has still stock left over from last year, but he won't discount at all.

 

[fedtime]

Rona is advertising LGs @ $6.19 per 40lb bag - well past my threshold of $5.50 on the "oil v. pellet" debate.

Walmart will have their pellets in stock over the next few weeks, and they will set the price everyone else will follow. At least, that is the way it seems to me.

 

[Heat Slinger]

Costco in Saint John has "Pure Energy" pellets for $5.89 a bag.

 

[Deromax]

Ouch! I thought mine were expensive at $5,39 minus 10% one-day rebate!

 

[fedtime]

Halifax Costco had the same product and price last week. Those pellets are made by Shaw, who also makes Eastern Embers. Also, WalMart has an "Eco" brand wood pellet made in Ontario at the same price.

So far, the best price of the year has been Kents - they had Canawicks on sale of $5.50 per bag a few weeks ago.

 

[rbchimp]

Walmart has their pellets on 4 bags for $20. I.E. $5/bag in multiples of 4.
This is at the Halifax Shopping Centre location for sure.

 

[fedtime]

Walmart has their pellets on 4 bags for $20. I.E. $5/bag in multiples of 4.
This is at the Halifax Shopping Centre location for sure.

Wow - the low price of the year as far as I am aware. Any experience burning them? I may pick up a few bags myself if there are any left.

 

[rbchimp]

Wow - the low price of the year as far as I am aware. Any experience burning them? I may pick up a few bags myself if there are any left.

Yes, they burn fine for me. The brand name is EcoHeat (I think), white bags. They seemed to have lots at Halifax Shopping Centre, must have some pallets stored in the garden centre as the bags were cold.

 

[Tim_M]

I picked up 4 bags of the Ecoheat at the Bedford Walmart yesterday ($20) to give them a try. A few observations:

- The plastic bags are really thin, and tear and puncture easily. I had to pick over the pile to find 4 bags that weren't already torn, and to handle them very carefully.
- The label says they're a blend of soft and hardwood, and the pellets are quite a bit darker in colour than the Eastern Embers I normally burn. They're also quite long, some over 2". That's not a problem for my Harmans but could be an issue for some stoves.
- They seem to produce a bit more ash than the Eastern Embers and it's dark and clumpy.
- Now for the big question, heat output. To be fair, I've only burned 1 bag so far but based on that limited experience I'd have to say they're not great. I measured the air temp coming from my Invincible on low burning Eastern Embers and then burning the Ecoheats - the result 168 F vs 146 F, a significant drop.

Bottom line, at that price they'd be ok for milder weather but I don't think I'll buy them again.

 

[fedtime]

I picked up 4 bags of the Ecoheat at the Bedford Walmart yesterday ($20) to give them a try. A few observations:

- The plastic bags are really thin, and tear and puncture easily. I had to pick over the pile to find 4 bags that weren't already torn, and to handle them very carefully.
- The label says they're a blend of soft and hardwood, and the pellets are quite a bit darker in colour than the Eastern Embers I normally burn. They're also quite long, some over 2". That's not a problem for my Harmans but could be an issue for some stoves.
- They seem to produce a bit more ash than the Eastern Embers and it's dark and clumpy.
- Now for the big question, heat output. To be fair, I've only burned 1 bag so far but based on that limited experience I'd have to say they're not great. I measured the air temp coming from my Invincible on low burning Eastern Embers and then burning the Ecoheats - the result 168 F vs 146 F, a significant drop.

Bottom line, at that price they'd be ok for milder weather but I don't think I'll buy them again.

Tim - I tried some and 100% agree with your assessment, although I've not seen any long pellets so far as you describe. And you were not kidding about the bags - really thin and hard to handle. The few bags I've burned smelled very strongly of pine - very nice bonus!

 

[Tails1]

Those Canawicks are also available here at Canadian Tire and they burn very hot and clean. I had 20 bags and use them only when it is really cold. $5.99 is what they go for but hopefully in spring they will go on sale.

 

[fedtime]

Hello Maritimers - any news on pellets and pricing?

My local Canadian Tire tells me they will carry Canawick and the price will be the same as last year - $6.00 per bag. Kents sometimes has a "Price Blast" sale in early September @ $5.50 or $5.80 per bag, and if so I may grab some.

 

[Heat Slinger]

Home Hardware in Quispamsis is selling Eastern Embers for $6.98/bag, or $6.00/bag by the pallet. I had 3 pallets delivered today.

 

[fedtime]

Home Hardware in Quispamsis is selling Eastern Embers for $6.98/bag, or $6.00/bag by the pallet. I had 3 pallets delivered today.

My local Kent flyer says Cozys are $5.99 per bag; if you pre-order 195 bags, you get 15% off; 10% off 130 bags; 5% off 65 bags.

This sale is on until Sept. 6.

 

[Heat Slinger]

I saw that after I got my Eastern Embers, good deal. Works out to about $5.09/bag. Already got mine stacked in the basement. I think I prefer the Eastern Embers anyways.

 

[fedtime]

View attachment 199500 I saw that after I got my Eastern Embers, good deal. Works out to about $5.09/bag. Already got mine stacked in the basement. I think I prefer the Eastern Embers anyways.

Agreed. The Eastern Embers are a good pellet - very consistent quality.

For anyone else looking to stock up, the Kent store in Halifax says the deal they have on applies to Cozys and any Canawicks they have remaining in stock.

 

[fedtime]

The Rona flyer this week in the Halifax area is advertising softwood pellets (shows a picture of LGs) for $6.19 per bag - a .20 cent increase from last season!

 

[Tim_M]

The Rona stores here in Halifax had another one of their 15%-off-everything sales last weekend (you had to spend at least $100). I picked up another 30 bags of Eastern Embers at $5.09/bag to supplement the 2 pallets I got from them last spring. Now I just have to get that rebate claim in.

 

[Tim_M]

In case anyone in the Halifax area is looking to stock up, I see that Rona is having another 15% off sale on all purchases over $100 this weekend Sept 23 & 24.

Also, I was in Bayers Lake Costco last night and noticed they now have Shaw's Pure Energy pellets for $5.89. That doesn't seem so great considering it's in line with what most others are charging.

 

[fedtime]

In case anyone in the Halifax area is looking to stock up, I see that Rona is having another 15% off sale on all purchases over $100 this weekend Sept 23 & 24.

Also, I was in Bayers Lake Costco last night and noticed they now have Shaw's Pure Energy pellets for $5.89. That doesn't seem so great considering it's in line with what most others are charging.

If Rona honours that deal on pellets, it could be the low price so far - $5.49 (what they are now advertising as a regular price) less 15%.

Also, I burned the "Pure Energy" pellets last year - very hot and clean.

 

[Peireddneck]

Has anyone used pelleco on PEI?They have a sale til Sept 30.. (broken link removed)

 

[Rascal08]

Has anyone found a deals on pellet so far this year. Cc are 5.99 at Kent and ee are also 5.99 is there any deals out there in Dartmouth/Halifax area