Sunday pellet search, found 8 brands, thoughts?

[Branson4720]

I went pellet hunting this morning since I was going to need a little more to get through the winter. Here is what I found on the NH seacoast:

Geneva
PWI
Vermont (softwood)
Curran (softwood)
Pennington
Maines Choice
Fireside
Natures Own

I bought 4 bags of each to burn later this winter as the advice I have seen throughout this site is to try a few bags and see what works in the stove. But am interested if people have a strong opinion about any of the above being an oops? You can be honest as I only bought 4 bags of each and there is little invested in any of the brands. As a piece of background to date I have only burned Green Supreme and Cleanfire Hardwood and have been happy with both (Cleanfire a little better in my opinion).

Thanks all for any input/opinions.

#1 Vermont Softies
#2 PWI's (Logik-E's)
#3 Curran softies....not the blended junk
#4 Geneva's (ashy)
The rest is cat litter or ice traction material.

My question is if your opinion of the last four is based on burning experience or what you have seen posted? I ask because I checked out the site woodpelletreviews.com which I believe is written by a member of this site and some people had good experiences with some of the second 4. Just curious.

Thanks

My opinions are based on actual burning experience....all of those within the last 2 or 3 seasons. This is my 17th season burning pellets, and I take it very seriously......my wife says too seiously sometimes! ;-P

Cool, thanks for the quick reply. All I can say is I am less than $20 in to each of those brands and worse case is if the first bag is that bad in the stove the rest get burned in the firepit while camping this summer

I respect Branson4720 pellet opinions and we have many of the same likes. He has good taste in what he feeds his stove. But consider these as opinions and always best to see what yours are too. Many factors(price include) and the big one is what your willing to pay. One mans junk is another treasure.[/color] Again nothin against Branson4720 pellet choices, I just can't afford to fill my whole stash with the good stuff he likes. I'd have to supplement mine with some cheapier stuff for the shoulders. But thats just my opinion, as many don't skimp at all.

Only pellets my stove considers cat litter or ice traction material is the Inferno's and maybe ACP's. But I'll burn them if scored really really cheap! Of coarse only in the warmer part of the season. I would need something with more heat for the cold. Call me a bit fruggle I guess!

Glad your trying them out for yourself. First Hand knowledge is always the best. ;-)

I do agree with Jay's statement.......we all got into burning pellets to save money over oil/propane.....so burn whatever burns best for you. Top shelf fuel is not exactly affordable for everyone, or even available for that matter. Try as many different pellets as money and time afford, use your experience for future purchases.

 

[jdege]

Branson 4720 & j-takeman, thank you for the feedback. What I am hearing is exactly the reason I went on my hunt Sinday. With theses brands I will have burned 10 different brands in my stove over the course of my first year. I hope to use this experience in order to build my stash (4-5 tons) for next season.

Thanks again to everyone for the input.

 

[gbreda]

Branson 4720 & j-takeman, thank you for the feedback. What I am hearing is exactly the reason I went on my hunt Sinday. With theses brands I will have burned 10 different brands in my stove over the course of my first year. I hope to use this experience in order to build my stash (4-5 tons) for next season.

Thanks again to everyone for the input.

Hey jdege,

I'm in New Durham.

I just spoke with Camerons in Farmington. They have Maines Choice at 239 on sale. Not a great price, but dont know if that is your price point. I havnt tried Maines Choise in a few years, but might pick up some test bags this weekend.

WE BOTH should have jumped on the MWP at Walmart this past fall at 200.00 (bad pig ! :red: ). I burned 20 bags and my GF burned 1.5 ton. They were good pellets and replaced by Natures Heat at 250.

Let me know what you went with. I'm testing some Vermonts from H & H this weekend. GF got the last he had this past Sunday; scamming 2 bags from her tonight.

 

[jdege]

Branson 4720 & j-takeman, thank you for the feedback. What I am hearing is exactly the reason I went on my hunt Sinday. With theses brands I will have burned 10 different brands in my stove over the course of my first year. I hope to use this experience in order to build my stash (4-5 tons) for next season.

Thanks again to everyone for the input.

Hey jdege,

I'm in New Durham.

I just spoke with Camerons in Farmington. They have Maines Choice at 239 on sale. Not a great price, but dont know if that is your price point. I havnt tried Maines Choise in a few years, but might pick up some test bags this weekend.

WE BOTH should have jumped on the MWP at Walmart this past fall at 200.00 (bad pig ! :red: ). I burned 20 bags and my GF burned 1.5 ton. They were good pellets and replaced by Natures Heat at 250.

Let me know what you went with. I'm testing some Vermonts from H & H this weekend. GF got the last he had this past Sunday; scamming 2 bags from her tonight.

Hey gbreda

I have been trying to update my sig with thoughts of each brand. When I say I would not buy again it is because the high level of saw dust and fnes is not worth the heat produced. I also find the more saw dust the more likely the pellets get stuck on the sides of the hopper. When I say I would buy at the right price I generally mean <$210/ton (did miss the boat on the MWP@ Walmart). Burned the Vermonts during the last cold snap and was VERY HAPPY.

I have 4 bags each of PWI & Geneva then1.5 ton of Cleanfire which should last the rest of this winter.

I can tell you I will certainly get a ton of Vermonts for next season (hopefully at a decent price this spring/summer).
Maybe 2 tons of Cleanfires for the winter (Vermonts for really cold days/nights) and 2 tons of others for the fall & spring shoulder seasons. I own a truck and have plenty of room in the basement so hopefully I can keep my per ton average <$250.

Let me know how you like those Vermonts.

 

[1Dtml]

I've been pellet gathering as well, and the big box stores are starting to run out of pellets, but I was lucky enough to grab some Green Teams, and AWfs.

1D