Just to stir the pot. A pellet question to everyone.

Burning wood this winter. Hope everyone else does the same just to teach the pellet czars a lesson. I'll get a ton for fun but that will be it. I'm also filling the propane tank this year. Its as cheap as pellets. Send them a message.

Bioburner said:

Supply issues seem to be more of a problem in the east. Knowing a couple of truckers that haul out east, they say that they hate going east with all the tolls, prohibition of idling, limited hours of delivery etc.,etc. The old saying west is best, east is least, holds true yet.

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That would depend on whether you were the resting driver of the idling truck or the homeowner sitting on his deck listening to it I suppose.

Certainly less regs in the mid west. Less of other things to that some find important and others do not.

Rule applies to rest stops etc. Need to think if you want to eat fresh food or not as trucks haul a goodly amount of the food etc east. My last hazardous materials trip east was almost 8 years ago and I said never again, and that was only to Ohio.

kinsmanstoves said:

You can have the best pellet ever made but bad storage will kill the results of the burn. This is a problem stove manufactures have to deal with. The only way to change how a pellet is stored is the consumer speaking up. People it is your money, demand the best in what you buy.

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Spoke to the folks at North American that store pellets outside. They were honestly puzzled as they said Spruce Pointes are stored in a field by the plant ... why would they waste their inside storage? So, I tried but it fell on deaf ears...

HP52NOVA said:

Maybe you should come for a visit, so I can shock you with the steller service here in NOVA... Last time I called for a service on my Harman they sent me a guy who never worked on one! And that was going thru Harman HQ. I will take anyone who can find the ESP and is honest.

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And that relates to post #1, how?

Ziggy's, a local lumber yard, stores Lignetics inside outta the weather at $179 all winter.

SmokeyTheBear said:

I ain't buying any of those either.

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Is the pellet pig back in action??

Pete Zahria said:

And that relates to post #1, how?

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How? the first post is from a dealer who has no issues posting here, asking questions and being nice with free advise, and deserves to be complimented on it. I think we need more like him and its directly related to his post (which I also answered). now I am replying to your comments - not his.

What is your agenda here? you don't like him? not my problem. Seriously....

Pete Zahria said:

And that relates to post #1, how?

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HP52NOVA said:

now I am replying to your comments - not his.

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Back to your respective corners guys....

PS The bout has been cancelled...

Lake Girl said:

Is the pellet pig back in action??

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I will have around 9 tons left when the season ends. Won't need to get any until some time in 2017

Bioburner said:

Rule applies to rest stops etc. Need to think if you want to eat fresh food or not as trucks haul a goodly amount of the food etc east. My last hazardous materials trip east was almost 8 years ago and I said never again, and that was only to Ohio.

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I think trucked food is over rated -- There are plenty of ag methods to ensure locally grown fresh food available albeit with less variety.

We have fresh tomato, cukes, greens, carrots, beets all year, all grown here in North NY. Berries, tree fruits, other veggies are easily frozen after buying in season at the farm market or growing in relatively small plots.

The two closest "rest" stops near me back right into residential areas. I do not diminish the need for truckers and trucking, they are a crucial industry, BUT, it is necessary to balance quality of life against convenience in this modern, crowded, and busy world.

Interestingly our local community is currently debating whether to approve an application allowing a California investment group to tap the local aquifer and ship potable water to the left coast. Those trucked foods have many latent costs associated with them.

kinsmanstoves said:

It will cost them money to do it the correct way

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NO It will cost the end user money. The majority of end users will not pay it if they have an alternative that is suitable.

Indoor storage is a nifty marketing tool with I am sure some improved product burning performance. The question becomes; Does the increase in BTU at the room blower justify the incurred cost of additional storage. Without bonafide testing one can only offer opinions.

kinsmanstoves said:

Do you think you will stock up on pellets this summer or wait until the last minute and see what kind of deal you can get on some POS pellets?

I sold over 1100 tons of pellets in 2014, Pro Pellets. I know I had zero complaints on quality. I also insist my stores do not store the pellets outside and the mill uses indoor storage. I wish I could say the same for other brands of pellets and pellet sales locations.

As always I pass along this advice. Do not buy pellets that were stored outside.

Eric

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I'll wait until just after Labor Day, then go to my local HD and order 5 tons. They deliver for free when you place a large enough order. This past year I got DF Blazers for $239 a ton delivered. Normally, I'd expect FSUs which seems to be their go-to pellet, but when there's a shortage, as there was early this season, they have scrambled and gotten DF Blazers the past 2 years. Because of the high demand, there's very little that sits outside for long. When I get them, I put them in my basement.

Old Spartan said:

California investment group to tap the local aquifer

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I would hope there would be limits and conditions on use of that aquifer....

Here's an irony ... http://globalnews.ca/news/1879193/shoal-lake-40-first-nation-by-the-numbers/

One of several deciding factors for where I do my bulk pellet purchasing was the inside storage my supplier has, beyond his excellent customer service, who runs his operation out of an old shoe factory warehouse. http://sibwoodpellets.com/About.php

I don't know what happens to them before they get to Steve's shop, RE whether they're stored outside at the mills prior to distribution.

The limits and conditions debate began at the application inception. Locals have through cooperation between communities been able to

1. Word the contract so that it a has locked in a maximum annual draw.
2. Prevent a pipeline from the watershed to the water plant.
3. Limit the total amount of truck traffic to a number that actually limits the draw to a gallonage less than the contract allows.
4. Stipulate road routes and hours of trucking that raises costs which should also limit the draw somewhat.

There was no debate about the adisability of the plant. That is a result of the need for employment in this area which borders NY States Adirondack Park which I believe is the largest park in the USA.

I don't think the time of the year matters anymore, there are no "deals". Around here in Mass. the time of the year has no bearing on the price. I think the amount I got this year will be enough for next year as well.

kinsmanstoves said:

Do you think you will stock up on pellets this summer or wait until the last minute and see what kind of deal you can get on some POS pellets?

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Plan on stocking up 1.5 to 2 tons of CleanFire Pacifics and LG Granules over the next month (not sure of the mix at the moment, will be bag sales, .5 tons each time I loadup the car), then researching what is available locally for the last ton or so.. If our local HD can get DF Blazers (Thanks chken for that info.) will be placing an order.

SmokeyTheBear said:

Ain't gonna buy any stinkin' pellets this year at all !

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I get tired of the BS. 20 years, and it does not get any better. Started at $ 110 a ton and now who knows. We will see!

I'm not sure whether to buy early or wait for Home Depot. For HD, I think it's 75 bucks here no matter what the load size.
The boiler is not too fussy.

i'll be buying 6 tons MWP blend pretty much as soon as the snow clears and the delivery truck can get up my driveway.
flat fee for delivery so i always get the max his truck can bring.
i'll do this until the surplus fills all the space i have in tha basement. than i'll take a year off.


just a side note, and we don't use it for heat, but propane is still $3.49/ gallon here.

What is the problem with outside storage? As far as I know my pellets are outside until I cut open the waterproof package and bring them in the house. I have never had a problem unless the cover is damaged in shipping. Look at google earth and find your plant. It's all outside in giant rows.

I'll do my best to order mine in the spring for summer/fall pickup. Being retired it'll all depend on how much extra money I have. I doubt the prices will go down much from last year.