Robert Kraft Gold...

[jtakeman]

The Mill Registration #'s are unique to the plants certified to the "new" PFI standards:

16001 - AWF (hardwood): Circleville Ohio and Marion Virginia
16002 - AWF (softwood): Circleville Ohio and Marion Virginia
16003 - NEWP: Jaffrey NH, Deposit NY, and Schuyler NY
16004 - Curran: Massena NY
16005 - Marth Peshtigo: Marathon Wisconsin and Peshtigo Wisconsin
16010 - Forest Energy: Show Low Arizona
03304 - Lignetics: Linn West Virginia
03434 - Lignetics: Kenbridge Virginia
03208 - Lignetics: Sandpoint Idaho

Thanks for sharing the list!!

(broken image removed)
It doesn't tell us much.

Thanks for posting!!

 

[harryfatcat]

I just found this http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/2273/maine-wood-pellet-facility-to-start-up-in-2009

Looks like they are Geneva pellets? Or Main's Choice by Geneva?

I bought a ton yesterday, haven't burned any yet.

 

[ScotL]

I hate to spoil the speculation, but they are not made by Maine Woods Pellet.
About the 60/40 ratio, it can be kept very close. Actually, if someone messes up and puts some hardwood in the softwood hopper the pellet machines will protest severely. You need to use different die effective lengths for different hardwood/softwood ratios.

 

[PelletFiend]

I've been burning a few of these after picking them up at Lowes.

The pellet seems smaller, and plenty hot (more wood per auger turn?).

I'd give them a thumbs up for heat, and not terrible on ash.

 

[jtakeman]

I just found this http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/2273/maine-wood-pellet-facility-to-start-up-in-2009

Looks like they are Geneva pellets? Or Main's Choice by Geneva?

I bought a ton yesterday, haven't burned any yet.

I forgot that Kraft had ties with the Strong mill. Makes sense to use these............ But I keep hearing Curran as the bagger for Inferno Gold.

I don't have Maine Choice available locally(unless I buy a whole ton). Can someone post the PFI label so we can compare details??? TYIA!

 

[Harman Lover 007]

I forgot that Kraft had ties with the Strong mill. Makes sense to use these............ But I keep hearing Curran as the bagger for Inferno Gold.

I don't have Maine Choice available locally(unless I buy a whole ton). Can someone post the PFI label so we can compare details??? TYIA!

If curran was the bagger wouldn't it be their UPC Code?

 

[jtakeman]

If curran was the bagger wouldn't it be their UPC Code?

Seeing Energex/Premier Pellet Corp. is still using the old Stove Chow UPC that leads to catamount. They could just run with the old UPC for the inferno's.

 

[pell it]

I grabbed some North Americans to compare to and based on smell alone I do not think they are the same pellet. (no crayon smell)

 

[jtakeman]

I grabbed some North Americans to compare to and based on smell alone I do not think they are the same pellet. (no crayon smell)

Then it could be that they are Maine Choice. All the different Currans I tried had that smell to them!

Really not a biggie, As long as they aren't them old Inferno's in a pretty new bag. It should be an improvement. How much? We'll have to wait and see.

 

[harryfatcat]

I tried the UPC on the Inferno Gold and it came up unknown.

 

[dlehneman]

I picked up 5 bags today at Lowe's to try. Used a 10% off coupon so they came in under $4.50/ bag, then I won't feel too bad if they're terrible.

I just need to run through or empty the hopper on one of my stoves so I can swap over and test them out. Weathers been fairly warm so the stoves aren't running much right now. I'll try to post back with my impression and possibly a measured heat output for comparison.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

I tried the UPC on the Inferno Gold and it came up unknown.

It comes back to Inferno Pellet Company, Rehobeth Mass

 

[pell it]

I burned about a half bag over last weekend. Heat was about 168 degrees F running on #2 and ash pics are attached.

 

[dlehneman]

I burned about a half bag over last weekend. Heat was about 168 degrees F running on #2 and ash pics are attached.

Without knowing much about your stove, is that good heat? Any comparisons to other pellets?

For example, I had some Green Supremes in the hopper already so I tested with those, so when I test the Infernos I'll have something to compare against. On heat level 3 (out of 9) my air temp was 225 degrees and 232 degrees using the Green Supreme (measured at two different times thinking it would increase accuracy). This was on my Englander EP. I'll post up results of the Infernos as soon as I have them. When I empty the hopper in my PAH then I'll test them there and be able to compare against 8 other brands (last years numbers).

 

[dlehneman]

Okay, first round of testing this morning on the Inferno Gold's:

In the Englander EP: First measurement was 236 degrees, second one came in at 252 degrees. Avg of 244 degrees vs. the baseline test of GS (NH plant) at 228.5 avg. So 15.5 degrees avg. more heat and the burn "looks" much better. Too soon to comment on ash buildup and I've shut the stove off now. The house is getting way too warm even with windows open!

So my initial reaction is they seem pretty decent. I'll update more as I test more or have other comparisons.

 

[ttdberg]

Just curious, how are you measuring the temps? Last year I used a stove pipe temp gauge attached to the side of the stove as a simple method for comparing temps between different brands of pellets (see image below). I recently got a laser temp gun and will be using that this year as well.

This was Okanagan DFs.

Note: The 550 degrees reflected in this picture cannot be compared to the 252 degrees reported for the Inferno Golds. The testing methods are apples and oranges.

 

[dlehneman]

I am using a Thermapen instant read thermometer held in front of the air outlets (same spot each time) to measure the heated air blowing into the room. I make sure to use the same setting for heat and blower each time, as well as start with a clean stove. Taking 2 measurements spaced about 1/2 hr apart to try to increase accuracy.

Since everyone's testing methods and devices will vary, as well as the particular stove. Comparative data for the same stove at the same settings, with the same equipment, is the best method in my opinion.
As an example, using the same equipment, my 2 stoves have dramatically different output air temps with the same pellets. My PAH was only 140 degrees with GS vs. 228.5 for the EP, an 88.5 degree difference! Both stoves rated for the same square footage but very different heat exchanger and much different sized blowers between the two. Even tested with the same exhaust and OAK in the same room, so pretty consistent test method. For what it's worth, the PAH just moves a ton of air that isn't as hot while the EP is very hot but with less air movement.
In both examples, I am not doing a max temp test, just using heat range 3 (out of 9) since that is where it will run frequently. Really just to identify the difference in pellet heat output. I may test on high when the weather gets colder but it overheats the house so quickly it makes testing difficult!

 

[ttdberg]

Thanks for the detailed explanation, really appreciate that! I am looking forward to doing testing this winter too, but it's not cold enough yet, and I've only needed to run the stove once so far - this past Sunday night in fact. Not that I'm complaining

 

[dlehneman]

Picked up some more Lacrete's a couple days ago and bought several water damaged bags for 1/2 price (you could tell most of the bag was okay still). Threw one of them in the hopper of the EP for a comparison (avoiding most of the swollen stuff) vs the GS and the Inferno Gold. I don't know how much moisture these have in comparison to an undamaged bag, but figured I'd try anyway...I'll retest a good bag later. Here are the results
1st measurement: 259 degrees
2nd measurement: 265 degrees
Avg: 262 degrees! Over 33 degrees hotter then GS and 18 degrees hotter then Inferno Gold. Much cleaner burn, lighter color, fluffier ash and much less of it, then either of the other 2.

 

[harryfatcat]

How is everybody getting their temperature readings? I can't think of a consistent way to do it.

 

[dlehneman]

How is everybody getting their temperature readings? I can't think of a consistent way to do it.

See my post above about my testing method. I've seen other people doing very similar things except alot of people are using an oven thermometer. They aren't as accurate or fast but MUCH cheaper and you can jut prop it in place.

 

[harryfatcat]

Got it, I missed that the first time by
Thanks!

 

[fatboyfats]

I bought 2 ton of the inferno gold for shoulder season. They seem to be doing fine. Decent heat out of them and the ash isn't to bad. I am running a Harman p61a and have only run into 1 pellet that ran real bad through it so I may not be a good gauge as to how well they will run for other.

 

[dlehneman]

Tested Green Team Platinums this morning and so far they are the leader for temperature this year. 2 tests: 275 degrees and 273 degrees for an average of 274! I haven't burned enough of the GTP's yet to comment on ash, but last year was slightly better then average. Lacrete's have been the cleanest burning so far.

Testing so far this year (in order from worst to best):
Green Supreme (Jaffrey plant) 228.5 F
Inferno Gold 244 F
Lacrete's* (moisture damaged bag) 262 F
Green Team Platinum 274 F

*Lacrete's will be retested using a bag that doesn't have any moisture damage, just wanted to use those bags first.

 

[harryfatcat]

I've burnt 2 bags so far and I like them. Good heat but I don't have a way to check the actual temp. The ash is not bad, kind of puffy like pop corn and my glass didn't get too dirty.