Can the color of pellets help in determining their make-up?

I can't believe I'm asking this question? Please don't beat me up too badly, I'm still learning ;-) . I feel like a Deer Hunter looking at fresh Deer droppings determining how healthy the animal is before I shoot it :coolgrin: Being serious, the reason I ask, I noticed a major color difference between the not so good Nation's Choice Pellet (more of a tan looking pellet) and the Statesman Brand distributed by Southern States. The Statesman Brand are nice and dark brown, almost the same color as the Oak Flooring I installed in our house. Because there is so much knowledge and experience between a few on this Forum, I just wonder if there is another way to tell good from not so good by the color of the pellet? Except for name recognition, this is the only way I've found to judge what I'm buying before I make the plunge and buy several tons. I have also been reading about are certain manufacturers who produce a good hot burning pellet. Then I read where some of the real good pellets have for some reason had their recipe changed for the worse leaving more ash than they used to. I just thought it would be nice to know if there is another way to know a quality pellet beside burning if to see if it is indeed a decent buy if you just happen to be far from home and come upon a sweet deal for good pellets?

Granted I'll find out if the Statesman Pellets are better when I actually start burning a few bags of them. The only problem with the Statesman Pellets are their price. I found them, but they are $277.00 a ton. I believe from what I have seen on this Forum, the price seems HIGH! Right now I still have about 15 bags of the Nation's Choice. I am gradually burning them up, but they leave a ton of ash, and they aren't real hot. I'd like to mix a good pellet with these that are not so good. I believe I need to burn a bag of the Statesman Brand by itself so I'll know if there as good as they look?

Thanks, You all.

Hamer I see makes the pellets for Southern States. As I'm in the process of burning some to see what the difference is? I can now report back to say on setting 4 (out of 9 settings). The flame is very high, to the top of the inside of the stove, and it's wider than I've seen using the Nation's Choice. Add to that, right now it's so stinking hot in here, I'm sweating as I type this. Can anyone say Sauna!

I'm going to continue to burn the Nation's Choice just to get rid of them. But will mix them with the Statesman pellets. At least this way the ash shouldn't be as bad as with the Nation's Choice alone?

Tractorman, I see exactly what you're talking about. The Statesman Pellets produce more of a super fine ash, and the color is exactly as you described. Now, the other pellets I purchased when I got the stove are flat nasty! They leave larger pieces of what-ever it is that doesn't burn. They eventually clog up the little burn pot to the point it actually stops air flow within the pot stopping any flame after about 10-12 hours. When I dump the garbage out of the burn pot, it comes out in one big chunk! Even though I'm not familiar enough with some of the descriptions burnt pellets create, I don't believe this to be a clinker? I can take this pile of crap within the burn pot and crush it with my hand. I could be wrong about what it is? I'm under the impression a clinker is something that is very hard and almost like a welders slag?

Last night I used the Statesman Pellets and got much better heat, as well as a nice spread across the entire burn pot for the whole burn time because these pellets don't clog up the burn pot. From reading what others have written about their experience in dealing with different pellet types, I believe this issue may be solved. It's because of the knowledge of this crew of people on this forum that I for one have benefited immensely.

Thanks guys!

Thanks Krooser! Learn something new every-day......

Smokey, It's almost too funny there is so much involved in a Pellet! I mean through my 56 years I have seen and done many things. I've learned and taught mechanics and Blueprint Reading for four years in a Trade School. But nothing could have prepared me for a complete breakdown of all things, the pellet. I mean I would look at these things and think, so that is a pellet. Little did I know there is actually Science behind these little guys. And then, we get into the pellet after it's been burned. What is left, how it burned, did it burn correctly? Did they burn and leave some nasty pile of funk, and if so. Why? You all have given me answers for things I didn't even know had questions for.

This makes me think about my Blessing of a Son-In-Law (if only everyone could have a guy like this in their family!). This guy started out more of a Brain, and certainly could have cared less about anything mechanical when I first met him. Then after he married our daughter, I got my hands on him. I would teach him things when it came to fixing, replacing, or building onto their home. When we'd complete a task, I would always tell him. Now you know more about this than you ever thought possible! The really great thing is he has never forgotten one thing I have taught him. And he's also learned this important detail. If you fix, repair, build or replace something yourself. The money you would spend in the cost of labor, you can now use for something the four of you need (they just had twin girls 3 months ago, so they will need that money). My point is. No matter your background. If you have an interest, some desire to get to the answer of a problem, and need help? This Forum is where you'll find the help needed to fix any problem you know of, and even some problems you don't even know exist.

I get back to taking time to learn each and everything you can about what it is you are doing. And if it's worth doing. It's worth doing Right! It always pays back in Spades! I learn more and more on this Forum as the days go by.

So again, I take this time to say Thanks for the help!