Home Depot pellet packaging question and a "Mix" question

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
bostonfan49

bostonfan49

Minister of Fire
Nov 10, 2011
531
Essex Jct. Vermont
So since November 3rd I have used 28 bags of Vermont Softwood pellets. I love them as they are the only pellet ever burned, but now that I am into my the latter part of my 1st ton I am on the hunt for more pellets. Driving through NH today, I stopped at Home Depot near Hooksett to check out pellets. They had two brands from the western part of the US. Both bags said "Premium", one bag did give the pellet contents.....the other bag did not. Neither bag said if they were hard, soft or mixed? What's up with that? With the little bit I know about pellets, I felt pretty good about passing up on these! My last question is about all the mixes. 50/50, 60/40, 80/20. Other than a marketing ploy by the manufacturer is there any real advantage of any of these mixes? From people on this wonderful forum....softwoods are from Venus and hardwoods are from Mars. I can't see why anyone would want to mix the two, unless.....there is really isn't much of a difference . Curious, Bill
 
When is the last time that you saw a bag of pellets that didn't state Premium on them?
If I can remember correctly, they must meet min standards to print Premium on the bag. now that there is competition they won't survive if they sell unclean pellets that won't burn correctly in your stove.
Size moister content ...
 
'premium' or other designations only really count if they also have the PFI logo on them, the governing body that gives said awards. It's mostly based on ash content and dryness % and btu rating. Its honestly NOT hard to meet premium.

After a few years of burning hardwoods, I'm a softwood burner. They smell better, and in my experience burn hotter. They are a bit 'stickier' and do bridge a lot in the hopper, so they need a little assistance/top off twice a day. the brand i burn also happens to be super cheap in these parts. I wouldn't mind a blend either, as long as its more soft heavy.

Utliamtely, it doesn't really matter. it's what your stove likes to burn best at the price your wallet likes and at the ask level that your vac preferrs. Try a few, see if you like 'em.
 
Thats what I was saying...one of the Premium bags gave the Ash, ect...the other Premium bag gave none, and I mean none! Front, back, sides, top, bottom and no mention of hard or soft on either. They had 6 pallets of these.
 
Sorry imacman ( you must be an Apple fan) I purposely did not write down the name as they both came from out west. I have a big problem with box stores that get some of there products from thousands of miles away when they can get the same types of products from the same state or region the store is in, for the same price or cheaper...I try to buy local with as many purchases that I can. While any pellet made in the US is much better than foreign oil, I like the fact that my Vermont pellets are helping the local economy. They will continue to be my primary choice but as I experiment with others,I want to make sure they come closer to home. Bill
 
bostonfan49 said:
Sorry imacman ( you must be an Apple fan) I purposely did not write down the name as they both came from out west. I have a big problem with box stores that get some of there products from thousands of miles away when they can get the same types of products from the same state or region the store is in, for the same price or cheaper...I try to buy local with as many purchases that I can. While any pellet made in the US is much better than foreign oil, I like the fact that my Vermont pellets are helping the local economy. They will continue to be my primary choice but as I experiment with others,I want to make sure they come closer to home. Bill
Click to expand...

It's hard for us to really answer or comment on your question if we don't have the brand name you are talking about. I would find it very hard to believe that Lowes would be trucking pellets from the west coast here when there are so many local suppliers and the cost to come across the country is prohibitive. I like to keep my business local too and Vermonts are a great pellet that you won't go wrong with.
 
bostonfan49 said:
Sorry imacman ( you must be an Apple fan) I purposely did not write down the name as they both came from out west. I have a big problem with box stores that get some of there products from thousands of miles away when they can get the same types of products from the same state or region the store is in, for the same price or cheaper...I try to buy local with as many purchases that I can. While any pellet made in the US is much better than foreign oil, I like the fact that my Vermont pellets are helping the local economy. They will continue to be my primary choice but as I experiment with others,I want to make sure they come closer to home. Bill
Click to expand...

I can appreciate the fact that you want to support the local economy, but you need to realize that these companies (HD, Lowes) have stores all over the country. Their buying office signs contracts with suppliers who can deliver to ALL of their stores. Each store isn't at liberty to purchase locally; they receive their products from distribution centers. These centers can be as far as a thousand miles away. (BTW, I work for HD).

EarlyMan
 
bostonfan49 said:
So since November 3rd I have used 28 bags of Vermont Softwood pellets. I love them as they are the only pellet ever burned, but now that I am into my the latter part of my 1st ton I am on the hunt for more pellets. Driving through NH today, I stopped at Home Depot near Hooksett to check out pellets. They had two brands from the western part of the US. Both bags said "Premium", one bag did give the pellet contents.....the other bag did not. Neither bag said if they were hard, soft or mixed? What's up with that? With the little bit I know about pellets, I felt pretty good about passing up on these! My last question is about all the mixes. 50/50, 60/40, 80/20. Other than a marketing ploy by the manufacturer is there any real advantage of any of these mixes? From people on this wonderful forum....softwoods are from Venus and hardwoods are from Mars. I can't see why anyone would want to mix the two, unless.....there is really isn't much of a difference . Curious, Bill
Click to expand...

Knowing the brand would be nice...that being said some of the best pellets come from out west. You may have inadvertently passed up on really, really good pellets. It has been noted on this forum that on a rare occasion you will see Blazers out this way at HD.
 
Going back down to Boston tomorrow, return on Wed. (Another visit with my 98 year old Mom) Will stop at HD again and check out. Bill
 
Not really understanding why people are so afraid to name drop? Is there like a pellet-big-brother agency thing I'm oblivious about? Hmm
 
since I was at Home Depot today here in Michigan, I decided to buy some of the 2 brands that they had. The brands were Heat'rs and Choice one. I know nothing about the brands, but they were only $3.50 a bag, so I had to buy some. Anyone have a review of these pellets?
 
I burned Heatrs in Arizona for years. The plant was just a few miles from me. They are surrounded by some of the largest Ponderosa pine forests anywhere. Our local HD sells them for $196/ton all year and they burn fine for me.
 
I burned Heatrs in Arizona for years. The plant was just a few miles from me. They are surrounded by some of the largest Ponderosa pine forests anywhere. Our local (Colorado) HD sells them for $196/ton all year and they burn fine for me.

Their parent company name is Forest Energy.

Sorry about the dup post; can't figure out how to delete the first one.
 
I just got back from Homedepot.The heat'rs are from Eureka pellet mills in Montana.I took the packing slip off one of the pallets.I tried the eureka pellets last year and they where the worst.I know a person who works there and they can't give them away.They have the Blazers and they do very good for me.
 
Idahokid said:
I just got back from Homedepot.The heat'rs are from Eureka pellet mills in Montana.I took the packing slip off one of the pallets.I tried the eureka pellets last year and they where the worst.I know a person who works there and they can't give them away.They have the Blazers and they do very good for me.
Click to expand...

Interesting, mine still have this address, purchased in Durango CO.

http://www.forestenergy.com/our-products/wood_pellets.htm
 
Dinger said:
Idahokid said:
I just got back from Homedepot.The heat'rs are from Eureka pellet mills in Montana.I took the packing slip off one of the pallets.I tried the eureka pellets last year and they where the worst.I know a person who works there and they can't give them away.They have the Blazers and they do very good for me.
Click to expand...

Interesting, mine still have this address, purchased in Durango CO.

http://www.forestenergy.com/our-products/wood_pellets.htm
Click to expand...
I wonder if Eureka pellets co. is rebagging for Heat'rs in this area?
 
Idahokid said:
Dinger said:
Idahokid said:
I just got back from Homedepot.The heat'rs are from Eureka pellet mills in Montana.I took the packing slip off one of the pallets.I tried the eureka pellets last year and they where the worst.I know a person who works there and they can't give them away.They have the Blazers and they do very good for me.
Click to expand...

Interesting, mine still have this address, purchased in Durango CO.

http://www.forestenergy.com/our-products/wood_pellets.htm
Click to expand...
I wonder if Eureka pellets co. is rebagging for Heat'rs in this area?
Click to expand...

On the packing slip that I took off the Heat'rs pellets.It says vendor name,Eureka pellet mills inc.I emailed them last night and asked if it where there pellets in a Heat'rs bag.So far no response.I will keep you posted.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
New Harman Owner-Pellet Consumption Question
Replies
8
Views
2K
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
Dataman
D
S
Looking for recommendations to heat my 3,600 hangar space
Replies
15
Views
866
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
Jeremy6500
J
L
If all Wood Pellets say they are Premium Grade..
Replies
10
Views
3K
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
ifixmy2
ifixmy2
Ranckie
Harmon Insert Not Burning Correctly
Replies
2
Views
561
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
Ranckie
Ranckie
D
Pellet stove in Chicago garage and basement? Insurance?
Replies
2
Views
690
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
johneh
johneh
Top Bottom
Back