Which pellet to buy

  • 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.

BigJohnfromCT

Feeling the Heat
Dec 29, 2012
325
Danbury, CT
Here's the net:
I've got a Mt Vernon AE built and installed in 2011.
I live in western Danbury and usually buy from Black Swan
I'm partial to Hamers & have used them a lot but not wedded to them if there's something better out there.
I'm ready to pull the trigger on 6 tons to beat the rush
My dealer offers Hamers, Energex and NEWPS.
I've used the NEWPS in a pinch but have very little experience with Energex
To me the choice is Energex or Hamers.
Can someone help with the decision between the two? The difference is $5.00 per ton so money is not a factor. Heat and ash are.

Thank you.
 
Hamer's without a doubt! Especially for only a $5.00 a ton difference.
 
Buy a couple bags of each and see which one you like better.
 
Hamer's without a doubt! Especially for only a $5.00 a ton difference.

+1 - Based on the specs, Hamers are the clear winner here. I have never burned them myself, so I can't comment directly. I have burned Energex Canadian and NEWP, several years ago. The ash content and quality inconsistency was enough to stop me buying either of them again. Sounds like you like the Hamers. Given the other two choices and subtle price difference, I would play it safe and stick with them.

Buy a couple bags of each and see which one you like better.

I think the window of opportunity for testing pellets for the next heating season is officially closed - at least in CT it has.
 
I have burned several tons of Hamers and just bought a good supply for the coming heating season. I found that last year they became very hard to get because of the icy mountain roads down in WV (so I was told by one of my suppliers). I was told that access to the factory down there was hindered because the roads weren't passable by their carriers. If you opt for Hamers, it's a very good idea to get them early in the season as you stated you intended doing.
 
That stove will burn anything. Even the pellets people hate will burn ok. I have yet to find a lousy pellet for my Mt. Vernon. Now ashy pellets are another story but if you clean your ashpan and your stove weekly anyway it won't make much of a difference.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.