cubex batch not so good. update

The code is a mystery to me. I asked Cubex about it and they said call with the number and they will give me a date. The number they use is on the plastic wrap on the skid though not the pellet bag "last I knew". I have tried to figure it out on my own because the driver told me they were put on the truck from the production line one day but it is a mystery as to how the number equaled a day of the year. Sorry

got a nice email from cubex customer service today

EVERY pellet manufacture can have an issue once in awhile, I don't care who you are. What sets the best from the rest is admitting and correcting the problem. While taking care of the peeps that purchased the them!

Hey guys,
I'm still new at this pellet game and am not up to date on some of the lingo. What does "shoulders" mean when referring to wood pellets ?
Thanks , Pete

"Shoulder seasons" are basically spring and fall where it's cool out, but not freezing dead of winter cold. Many folks use cheaper pellets for these seasons as you generally don't need as much heat in the house.

I'd say after the temps we had this past weekend here in Eastern Ontario, nobody around here is burning a shoulder pellet anymore.

76brian said:

"Shoulder seasons" are basically spring and fall where it's cool out, but not freezing dead of winter cold. Many folks use cheaper pellets for these seasons as you generally don't need as much heat in the house.

I'd say after the temps we had this past weekend here in Eastern Ontario, nobody around here is burning a shoulder pellet anymore.

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In southern Ontario we were in the mid to low fifty's today .Its not looking like we are going to have a white Christmas this year.
Most people around here don't know what a pellet stove is, never mind a good pellet from a bad. I would guess 95% of the people around here run natural gas fireplaces and 5% have wood burning fireplaces.Its all Chinese to them.
Pete.

mascoma said:

got a nice email from cubex customer service today that essentially said... They have not had any issues with any of their product ever, besides limited variation depending on species of wood they are processing that day.

I'm debating about replying with a link to this thread.

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They are technically correct. The product has never been out of spec for pellets just not as good as we normally see from them. "Limited variation depending on species of wood". The Oak pellets have less ash than the Maple and of other species. So far they have all had the same high heat though. That is in our Mt Vernon that is.

mascoma said:

got a nice email from cubex customer service today that essentially said... They have not had any issues with any of their product ever, besides limited variation depending on species of wood they are processing that day.

I'm debating about replying with a link to this thread.

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At least you got a reply!

I bought 4 tons of Hamers Hot ones this past Spring, and the fines were/are bad enough to justify sifting the bags before pouring into my hopper. I sent them an email describing my issue along with the date code printed on the bags, but haven't received any reply. I told them the pellets burn hot with little ash, but that I did not expect the excessive fines in an "ultra-premium" pellet.

I had heard of some people having problems with "clinkers" since they're a dense pellet requiring good air flow, but never read about fines being an issue.

Guess I just got a bad batch?

PA_Clinker said:

I bought 4 tons of Hamers Hot ones this past Spring, and the fines were/are bad enough to justify sifting the bags before pouring into my hopper. I sent them an email describing my issue along with the date code printed on the bags, but haven't received any reply. I told them the pellets burn hot with little ash, but that I did not expect the excessive fines in an "ultra-premium" pellet.

I had heard of some people having problems with "clinkers" since they're a dense pellet requiring good air flow, but never read about fines being an issue.

Guess I just got a bad batch?

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I'm burning Hamers (Elkins) for the first time and must say, I'm impressed with the heat. There does seem to be a lot of fines, but my stove isn't having any problems.
I'm not being as scientific as others and documenting the results, but I'm enjoying trying different brands. I have 10 bags of Okies to try next and also looking forward to trying some Cubex.

Yeah, guess they don't call them Hot ones for nothing. The fines are disappointing though.

Just got a phone call today from 2 customers each with 4 tons with a large amount of ash complaints. I hope this is not NEWP 09 all over again.

Yup spring buy. I am offering to pick them up and give them new product refund them part of the money or give them a free ton next year if they order from us again. After calling some other customers it seems like it is not wide spread might just be one load we got in.

Jack I got mine in September,and they seem to be low ash. So there isn't any issues with that batch.

That sounds good, there going to stand behind there product and make things right for you. I only burn "spring buy" Cubex this season and my thoughts are, more ash than I was expecting, however really hot, so it seems like there must have been a few kinds of batch's going around last spring.

Good to hear your being taken care of. Let us know how this batch is working out for you!

I picked up half a dozen bags of Cubex to try (at $7/bag from my dealer). I threw some in when the weather turned very cold and temps were down to 13 degrees overnight and my stove was struggling to keep up. Based on the comments here I expected more heat.

I was completely disappointed. To my back of the hand test (how long I can leave my hand in the airstream just in front of the stove - just like I do over the charcoal on the grill) the Cubex I have did not burn as hot as the Premier Pellets and certainly not as hot as the Great Americans. They were more like the AWF. Certainly not worth the price in my inexperienced view.

I have not trekked out to the shed to check the date code, but will if anyone wants the information.

Fish On said:

getting my free ton from cubex Monday, cant say enough of how professional they were to me on the phone and how much they stand by there product.

They never did say they had any bad batches which I think is odd, but they listened to the customer and that's what counts!

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You never posted the batch or date code on your bad bags. Can you share that please?

The code on my bags is 550961, if that is the right number. As mentioned above, I was unimpressed.

Fish On said:

Numbers on the bag don't mean anything I was told by Cubex.

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So why won't you post it?

I have to say after using Cubex for 6 years and always being amazed at the performance of these Pellets this year I am a little disappointed in the amount of ash produced. Heat is still excellent, fines in the bag are no issue but much more ash in the hopper. I will give them a chance again next year and hope they go back to the excellent quaility I was used to!

Started season with 4 tons Cubex

robert65 said:

I have to say after using Cubex for 6 years and always being amazed at the performance of these Pellets this year I am a little disappointed in the amount of ash produced. Heat is still excellent, fines in the bag are no issue but much more ash in the hopper. I will give them a chance again next year and hope they go back to the excellent quaility I was used to!

Started season with 4 tons Cubex

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I agree. They definetly create excellent heat. I thought that heavy ash in the pot was normal at first until I read this thread. I'll buy more next season hoping they eliminate the heavy ash build up. Guess I'll have to scrape the pot a few times a day. I don't mind because they definetly are the hottest pellet I have.

I bought 1 ton in November and half ton in December.