So It comes to a time where I need to get more pellets, I need some feedback.

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letsblaze

letsblaze

Feeling the Heat
Dec 21, 2011
309
40 minutes north of Grand Rapids
I have only ran through 10 bags of pellets in my stove thus far of which 8 were Indeck's which I thought burnt well for 170 a ton I can get them for but they did burn dirty. 1 bag of Michigan Wood Pellet Fuel and 1 of North Country Pellets which I just found out they are made in the same plant. These also burnt good but they are running 204 and 209 a ton in price.
Here is a company which is 25 mins away from me and has a nice selection of goods. Are sumerset's really worth the extra dollar a bag over the Indecks I've been running?

NEW MICHIGAN MADE PELLETS - HARDWOOD $185 TON
PRO PELLETS - MICHIGAN MADE HARDWOOD $194 TON
MAGIC SPARK - MICHIGAN MADE HARDWOOD $194 TON
KIRTLAND - MICHIGAN MADE HARDWOOD/SOFTWOOD MIX $209 TON
Wayne Davis Softwood Pellets- MICHIGAN MADE SOFTWOOD made from Red Pine $210 TON
AMERICAN HARDWOOD - MADE IN WISCONSIN - $219 TON
SOMERSET HARDWOOD - MADE IN KENTUCKY - $219 TON - OUR #1 SELLING HARDWOOD
LACRETE SOFTWOOD - MADE IN CANADA - $239 TON
UNCLE JEDS SOFTWOOD - MADE IN WISCONSIN - $259 TON - OUR #1 SELLING SOFTWOOD
WESTERN ELITE FIR PELLETS - $309 TON
 
At $219, thats not bad at all. But do what you will.

The Uncle Jeds ($259) seem to get good reviews and any Fir ($309) pellet normally does pretty well. So compared to them, I would say that the Somersets are a steal.

Pro Pellets and Magic Sparks are much cheaper up there. Normally around $220-$250 here. While Somersets go for $175-$220.

Buy a few bags to try... I would try at least 2 or 3 of the Elite Firs, Jeds, and Somersets. The little extra money is worth it in heat and ash content. For $20 more, you may get a much higher output temp and go longer between pot scrapes and cleanings... For $20... Sometimes its worth it ;-P
 
For $219, I'd go with the Somersets (after testing them, of course).

Like to know if someone has burned the LaCrete pellets...what their opinion is. If they are much better than the Somersets, heat-wise, then that isn't a bad price either.
 
I'm pretty much a Somersets fan. I'd buy them every time. That said, at those prices I'd try a couple of bags of each brand. It's a sickness.
 
Lots of good options listed. I would try a few bags of a few different brands just to see what your stove likes.
 
I really like the Somersets! Try a few of each if you can and decide from there before you commit to tonnage.....I have regretted some past tonnage decisions based on word of mouth.....decide for youself :)
 
Must be from Smart Energy Solutions in Grant. I recognize the price list. I get a lot of my pellets there.

I'm a fan of Somersets. They burn well for me and put out good heat. I don't care for the Michigan Wood Pellets. I don't get much heat from them and they burn dirty in my stove, but that's just my opinion. They might work good for you. Seems most every store around here carries them now.

I haven't tried the more expensive brands they sell mainly because tthe Somersets have done good for me.

As an aside, Atwood Forest Products on M46/17 Mile Rd between Kent City and Cedar Springs had signs out in the fall advertising pellets for $185/ton. I'd guess they make them there, but I haven't stopped in to see if I could buy a bag or two to try out.
 
Couple of stand outs.

SOMERSET HARDWOOD rock and price seems nice.

UNCLE JEDS SOFTWOOD are Pinncle pellets(same as our Dragon Mountians out here) Pricier, But burn sweet!

PRO PELLETS/MAGIC SPARK(same pellet in different bags) are decent warm weather if you need to save a couple of bucks.

WESTERN ELITE FIR PELLETS pricey but they are Doug fir, They should burn super hot and clean. Most doug firs will rock your world. If you have issues staying warm in the cold? These would be a good bet you'd stay warmer(or keep the wifey in here skimpy cloths)!

But as always, You must try to be certain they will not make your stove give you fits.
 
imacman said:
For $219, I'd go with the Somersets (after testing them, of course).

Like to know if someone has burned the LaCrete pellets...what their opinion is. If they are much better than the Somersets, heat-wise, then that isn't a bad price either.
Click to expand...

I bought a few bags of LaCrete's yesterday have on bag in the stove now. Nice heat, low ash , and a clean window so far. At least equal to the Barefoots I have been burning.
 
pelletash said:
Must be from Smart Energy Solutions in Grant. I recognize the price list. I get a lot of my pellets there.

I'm a fan of Somersets. They burn well for me and put out good heat. I don't care for the Michigan Wood Pellets. I don't get much heat from them and they burn dirty in my stove, but that's just my opinion. They might work good for you. Seems most every store around here carries them now.

I haven't tried the more expensive brands they sell mainly because tthe Somersets have done good for me.

As an aside, Atwood Forest Products on M46/17 Mile Rd between Kent City and Cedar Springs had signs out in the fall advertising pellets for $185/ton. I'd guess they make them there, but I haven't stopped in to see if I could buy a bag or two to try out.
Click to expand...
I grew up next to Atwoods and used to work there in the summer. My parents live close enough and buy pellets from there Ron's boys will deliver with a loader in the garage.
 
I love Somersets
 
I love the Jed's and Somersets barely any noticeable difference im my Quad. I also picked up 4 tons of Pro pellets last summer because of a special a local farm store had. They burn quite hot but have a lot more ash than the Jed's and Somersets. Just picked up a couple bags of Isabella pellets to try. Has anyone tried these? How about the Wayne Davis or Kirtland any feedback on thes two? What little I have heard is that they are a good pellet.
Got to maintain my stash!!! :p
 
I've just converted to La Cretes from Cubex.
The La Cretes burn hot and are cleaner, and I find I am burning less.
 
Wayne Davis and Isabella are the same pellet. I wasn't impressed with the Isabella as they didn't seem to produce a lot heat in my stove. I also will not support a company that price fixes. Apparently, they always have to be $215 a ton. At that price, there are a lot better options. The Kirtlands are a very hot pellet. I will be buying more of these in the future. If it helps with your choice, I just picked up another ton of Somersets as I was getting low. Had less than 5 tons left. I was getting nervous! My current stash consists of Somersets and Uncle Jed's.
 
Outerlimits said:
Wayne Davis and Isabella are the same pellet. I wasn't impressed with the Isabella as they didn't seem to produce a lot heat in my stove. I also will not support a company that price fixes. Apparently, they always have to be $215 a ton. At that price, there are a lot better options. The Kirtlands are a very hot pellet. I will be buying more of these in the future. If it helps with your choice, I just picked up another ton of Somersets as I was getting low. Had less than 5 tons left. I was getting nervous! My current stash consists of Somersets and Uncle Jed's.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info...I will be giving those Kirtlands a try!
 
We have 2 tons of the uncle jeds that came with our stove. We have had no problems with them at all. low ash, and no clinkers.
 
I am now burning the 2 bags of Isabella pellets I picked up earlier. I am not impressed. Heat output is 50 degrees lower than the Jed's and Somersets. Ash is a little more than my two favorites. I have crossed these off my list for pellets to add to my stash. :coolsmile:
 
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