Quality pellets in MI

I don't claim to be the connoisseur of pellets like many of the folks on here.

I burn whatever I can get for a good price at the local stores (usually around 3.50 a bag)
This year it's been primarily Magic Spark and Somersets.

In contrary to what others say, I see little difference in terms of both cleanliness and heat output. Klinkers are probably a bit worse with the magic spark, but not to the point where I avoid buying them. Maybe my p35i isn't that picky?

BENS SUPERCENTER IN BROWN CITY HAS SOMERSETS FOR 220 A TON OR IVE FOUND PROPELLETS IN RICHMOND rICK

fighting_demons said:

Good Morning,

I live near the maeder bros. plant and have been burning them for two years. I thought I was supporting a local business so it made me feel good. It wasn't until I burned some of the isabella soft woods that I realized how crappy the maeder bros. were. I can go two weeks (with isabella's) in my p38 without the glass getting dirty. They seem to heat good but I haven't taken temp. readings so its just a gut feeling. I probabaly have ten tons of maeders that need to be used up. And don't get me started telling you guys about the six tons of penningtons I got a swinging deal on.
denny

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guess i will have to Try Isabellas. I have not read many good maeder bros reviews.

I have to grab one more ton this season, and I have a choice between pro pellets or index (I think?) pellets. I don't know if I heard wrong or just can't find any information on them. I would appreciate any help the board might be able to provide. Both brands are at a tractor supply if that helps at all. Thanks!

My choice would be the pro pellets. I just tested 2 bags of Indecks and in my stove and the Pros were much hotter and less ash. In fact the ton of Pros I just started using are hotter than my Uncle Jeds. This pallet of Pros have a lot of black pellets which seems to be caused from greater compression. They are black or brunt looking all the way through.
These pellets are really hard which also indicates high compression. I love the heat I am getting from these! YMMV

shisits said:

My choice would be the pro pellets. I just tested 2 bags of Indecks and in my stove and the Pros were much hotter and less ash. In fact the ton of Pros I just started using are hotter than my Uncle Jeds. This pallet of Pros have a lot of black pellets which seems to be caused from greater compression. They are black or brunt looking all the way through. These pellets are really hard which also indicates high compression. I love the heat I am getting from these! YMMV

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Thanks for the tips! I tried 4 different brands this year, and propellers were #2 on the list.

For my cab50, awf was 1, propellers were 2, can't recall 3, and nrg was worse than just pouring straight sawdust into the hopper.

I am waiting for some Somersets to show up in my area. If Lakeview Farm Supply has a special on the Pros I will probably bite the bullet and add them to my stash ($169 last yr). I am in no hurry. I want to pick up a couple bags of Kirtlands to try, lots of people like them. :coolsmile:

shisits said:

My choice would be the pro pellets. I just tested 2 bags of Indecks and in my stove and the Pros were much hotter and less ash. In fact the ton of Pros I just started using are hotter than my Uncle Jeds. This pallet of Pros have a lot of black pellets which seems to be caused from greater compression. They are black or brunt looking all the way through.
These pellets are really hard which also indicates high compression. I love the heat I am getting from these! YMMV

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no way that pro's are hotter then jeds ive burnt 3 tons of jeds this year and im working on a ton of pro's.....i miss my jeds

My dealer suggested that I try Kirtlands and he was right I'll be buying at least four tons when prebuy time comes around. They burn hot and clean with very little ash. My burn pot requires little more than a vacuum to clean.

I agree Jeds are one the best. I have burned 1 ton of my Jeds and 1 ton of Pros. In fact I sold a ton of the Pros I had to a buddy because of not being impressed with them. Just started a second pallet of Pros(for shoulder season) and these look and burn different from the first ton. I was totally surprised by the heat. It must be a different batch. Even my wife when standing in front of the stove commented how much hotter the stove was on the same setting. Pros were $80 a ton cheaper for me than the Jeds last summer so for the price difference the Jeds are not that much better. I am still holding out for the Somersets if they are available near me for less than $200 a ton. Somersets are just as hot as the Jeds (in my stove) and are much cheaper. As always YMMV. :coolsmile:

Wingnut.. now you got me traveling to Grant to pick up some Kirtlands first thing Monday...

I'm in Grant as well. I won't burn Pro's or West MI. at all, I like Kirtlands (won a ton in December) and can't afford Jeds so I burn the "black bag" as my kids call them. Or Kritlands. Two are the best values that Smart energy sells. Smart energy has the best selection and dollar for dollar, "Black bags" and Kirtlands are it. Ask them, those are what they burn in their own stoves.

Keep all us Central Michigan peeps posted when the sales hit. I will prebuy a few ton when they do. I live 20 mins from grand and have been to Smart energy and love the store.

They have a pretty good website, name is odd so searches don't get it. http://visitsmartenergy.com/t/ Generally there's a sale in the spring. BTW you can buy a few tons and warehouse them there. They also do deliveries.

Shisits where in mid michigan are you? I get my Kirtlands in Saginaw. So far the bags that i've burnt have very few fines so i'm pretty happy. I'll post the pre buy price when I get it.

The Pro Pellets I have burned this year have been a plesant suprise. I also like the pellets Smart Energy sells for $3.85 a bag.

Thanks for all of the replies. I will be having a trial period with the Indecks to see how they burn in the Heatilator Eco-Choice CAB 50. Of course, with the temperature in the 60s, I might not get to test them until next year! Oh well, it never hurts to have pellets in storage. Just need to keep them dry and covered until (if?) it gets cold again.

Just out of curiosity, how much has everyone in mid-Michigan burned this year? I am just south of Lansing and have used just short of 3 ton since installing in early November. I don't know of anyone in the Montcalm County area burning, but I know groups in the Cadillac area that burned 5-6 ton for the same size house (~1750 sq feet, 2 level old farmhouse).

This forum has been instrumental in getting me through questions that I have had, and it has saved me from the fuel oil curse enough to pay for the stove, piping, and other accessories in the first year. Thanks to all!

I've burnt a little over four tons this winter. I'm heating a 2200SF two story home. I'm glad I still have plenty left because I don't believe winter is done yet...Mother nature just setting us up for at least one more shot

Wingnut13 said:

Shisits where in mid michigan are you? I get my Kirtlands in Saginaw. So far the bags that i've burnt have very few fines so i'm pretty happy. I'll post the pre buy price when I get it.

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I am about 70 miles west of Saginaw just off m46. 2 miles from US131 EXPRESSWAY....Looking forward to trying the Kirtlands.
I have burned about 2.5 tons. Heating 1500 sq ft. Not hardly burning any pellets because of this warm spell...WOOHOO.... :lol:

I'm between Saginaw and flint burned 2.5 tons have 1/2 ton of kirtlands left.burned a ton and a half of them and love them so far. Although I did pick up a bag of greenways and they were fantastic. Wish I would have bought more.I have a 1500 square foot house. Had to go to gladwin to get the kirtlands but I have heard the kernel burner know has them thanks to me haha.my first ton was wood fibers Inc. I won't even go there.

team486 said:

my first ton was wood fibers Inc. I won't even go there.

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Thats a guy way to ruin a persons idea of saving money. :lol:

I find that the pro pellets burn hot with moderate ash. I do currently burn Somersets .. very nice.. get them at the local hardware store and they deliver.