Any reason to try different pellets?

[jslinger]

I am having my XXV installed next Wednesday. I have access to locally produced Vermont Wood Pellets. From what I can gather, they seem to be one of the best available.
I also have access to Okies, so I will most likely try those.
I know I also have access to McFeeters, and MWP. There are several others, but I can't remember specifically.
I really like the idea of buying the Vermont's, since it supports the local economy.
I have noticed that a lot of you have tried many different brands.
With access to two of the best pellets available, is there any reason to try any other brands?

 

[jtakeman]

I always recommend trying what ever is available. You just never know with pellets. Mills have fires, production issues and such that can make your favorite this season unavailable next. Plus its fun cause you can chat up the brands you tried with the other nut cakes that hang out here!

 

[Bigjim13]

I liked Vermont's but they seemed to burn fast for me in my Harman. This year I bought from Hime Depot and am pretty satisfied. Try a few brands and see what you like and works best.

I too liked the idea if buying Vermont's to keep it local, then they got carried away with their price (IMHO). And for $270/ton they seemed to burn really fast. That was my experience, heat was good ash was great and many love the product.

My experience with my Harman is that pellet brand makes little difference with heat output, only the amount of ash varies.

 

[Bigjim13]

Also, the dealer you are dealing with normally sells Northerns. Those are one of my favorite brands, worth looking into.

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

I love the Vermont.....funny I had the opposite issue as a previous poster...they were one of the slower feeding pellets with one of the highest heat outputs.....with my stove hooked to a thermostat I used about half a bag less than other good pellets. Very low ash as well......but expensive. Best thing to do is try a few of what'd available and see how you make out

 

[jslinger]

How many bags does it take to get a good idea of the pellets performance?

 

[Bigjim13]

How many bags does it take to get a good idea of the pellets performance?

From a clean stove I can tell if I will like them after 5-7 bags.

 

[mepellet]

My experience with my Harman is that pellet brand makes little difference with heat output, only the amount of ash varies.

Same here. The other difference is the rate at which the stove burns through the pellets. But, when you compare the BTUs/$ you realize the higher priced pellets are not saving you any money.

You bought a Harman. Now buy whatever pellet you want, sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy reading about all the people having problems with thus pellet or that pellet in their stove. :D

Disclaimer.....
I have not burned infernos.

 

[Bigjim13]

I love the Vermont.....funny I had the opposite issue as a previous poster...they were one of the slower feeding pellets with one of the highest heat outputs.....with my stove hooked to a thermostat I used about half a bag less than other good pellets. Very low ash as well......but expensive. Best thing to do is try a few of what'd available and see how you make out

Don't get me wrong heat and ash were great! The bag lasted me less than a bag of North Americans though at the same setting.

To be fair I haven't burned them in a year or so. And I have a problem with paying that much for a tin of pellets. That's me though.

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

Don't get me wrong heat and ash were great! The bag lasted me less than a bag of North Americans though at the same setting.

To be fair I haven't burned them in a year or so. And I have a problem with paying that much for a tin of pellets. That's me though.

Yeah everyone really must judge off their own experience....with a thermostat hooked up the heat of a pellet doesnt matte(to me)r all pellets will do the job (well except for one). I focus more on the ash. it just so happens that in my stove lb for lb Vermonts were noticeably higher than about 20-30 others, to include Blazers. Highest heat, second lowest ash to Blazers.

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

Same here. The other difference is the rate at which the stove burns through the pellets. But, when you compare the BTUs/$ you realize the higher priced pellets are not saving you any money.

You bought a Harman. Now buy whatever pellet you want, sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy reading about all the people having problems with thus pellet or that pellet in their stove. :D

Disclaimer.....
I have not burned infernos.

Infernos are a true test......only pellet I wouldn't buy.

 

[Donn Fletcher]

I burned 2 tons of Inferno's from Home Depot in my XXV at the start of the year. To be honest heat and ash were not bad at all, however now that it's not as cold I picked up a bags of cheaper pellets (inferno's 2 bags) from a local hardware store and they were absolute junk! The ash was like wet cement. I'll never by inferno's again. I guess I got lucky with the 1st batch.

 

[Donn Fletcher]

Every stove is different. I have a Harman and in no way can I burn any type of pellet without a problem. There are huge differences in pellets and anyone who posts their Harman can burn anything should consider themselves lucky. My stove is in its 2nd year and I've had my share of crappy pellets. Most common problem is ash clumping up in hard chunks.

 

[mepellet]

Every stove is different. I have a Harman and in no way can I burn any type of pellet without a problem. There are huge differences in pellets and anyone who posts their Harman can burn anything should consider themselves lucky. My stove is in its 2nd year and I've had my share of crappy pellets. Most common problem is ash clumping up in hard chunks.

Other conditions also play a part in how your stove burns. Venting is a big one. I have tried pretty much all of the cheaper pellets available in the area except infernos and have yet to have any ash turds or hard clumps.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Here is a good reason to try pellets.

To drive everyone including yourself but especially any old timers nuts when you buy 4 ton of pellets only to discover that they clinker like someone poured fine sand into the batch along with various chlorides (salts) and your burn pot starts cracking, warping. and falling apart

Followed by coming here and looking for the reason why and a bit of sympathy only to hear the question why didn't you try some before you bought 4 ton of them.