Pellet Choices in Northern NY State

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TheLastDeadMouse

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Dec 17, 2013
29
Potsdam, NY
I have a pellet stove for the first time, a used Englander 1500 PDVC that'll be used to heat my wood shop. I've been trying to research the brands of pellets that are available here, and none seem to be known as the best of the best. So far I've found:

Energex (Green Bag, not Gold) 299/ton
Curran Blend 255/ton
Dry Creek 315/ton
Green Supreme, Inferno Gold (whatever Lowes current price is -10%, maybe 233/ton)

Getting the hottest burning pellet isn't a priority because the stove is oversized for the space and my needs, but low maintenance would be nice. I still have to check the local Walmart and the Home Depot the next town over, but I wouldn't expect them to have anything substantially better than the ones above. Any thoughts?
 
You're going to have to find a balance between quality and cost that is comfortable for you. Softwoods are generally preferable to hardwoods. You want the highest BTU and lowest ash you can get within your budget.
 
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Dry Creek was better than Green Supreme last year in my opinion in relative ash but they both make alot. Barefoot has been the best for heat output and low ash that I have found local to me.

I believe there is an Okanagan dealer near you around Watertown.....supposed to be an excellent and clean pellet.
 
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Green Supremes' are burning very dirty this year more than ever. I bought a Ton and the ash is major looks like I burnt 10 bags only used 3 bags.
 
I saw the green supremes in the store and the pellets were fairly dark this year....not a good thing so I passed on them.
 
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Empire pellets manufactured in Lafargeville, NY (between Watertown and Potsdam) are a decent quality affordable pellet that I recommend. They're an all hardwood pellet which I've used for about 14 years now. Not sure if anyone in Potsdam, Massena, Canton, etc. stocks them however. You can pick up right at their plant on Route 180 just outside the village of LaFargeville headed toward Dexter, NY...

New England brand aren't a bad second choice and are stocked by many hardware, pellet stove dealers, etc. They are a softwood/hardwood blend that I've used during the "shoulder" months of winter and might be ideal for your needs. I would avoid the Curran's as I've found them to be low heat output and a lot of ash. Sad to say as they're made in Massena and I'm all about supporting local businesses, except if their product isn't good.
 
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I called the Empire mill and found out that the heavy equipment rental place across the street from my work in Canton is a retailer of theirs, and at 275 a ton they're right about in the middle of the price range I found. I picked up a ton and I'll see how the first few bags burn.
 
TheLastDeadMouse said:
I called the Empire mill and found out that the heavy equipment rental place across the street from my work in Canton is a retailer of theirs, and at 275 a ton they're right about in the middle of the price range I found. I picked up a ton and I'll see how the first few bags burn.
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Let us know how these work for you , I've been burning Energex that I get from a place in Bangor ,but their expensive and Cantons close .
 
NYBurner said:
Dry Creek was better than Green Supreme last year in my opinion in relative ash but they both make alot. Barefoot has been the best for heat output and low ash that I have found local to me.

I believe there is an Okanagan dealer near you around Watertown.....supposed to be an excellent and clean pellet.
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I'm getting ready to install a pellet stove and have been crusin this forum for good info just like this. Thanks
 
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P51mustang said:
Empire pellets manufactured in Lafargeville, NY (between Watertown and Potsdam) are a decent quality affordable pellet that I recommend. They're an all hardwood pellet which I've used for about 14 years now. Not sure if anyone in Potsdam, Massena, Canton, etc. stocks them however. You can pick up right at their plant on Route 180 just outside the village of LaFargeville headed toward Dexter, NY...

New England brand aren't a bad second choice and are stocked by many hardware, pellet stove dealers, etc. They are a softwood/hardwood blend that I've used during the "shoulder" months of winter and might be ideal for your needs. I would avoid the Curran's as I've found them to be low heat output and a lot of ash. Sad to say as they're made in Massena and I'm all about supporting local businesses, except if their product isn't good.
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Roger that, I'll give them a look. Thanks
 
Energex are pretty decent but damn, the prices have gone up on them! It's still worth it, we love to burn our stove.
 
I think you'll be happy with the Empire's. As I said, they're a decent mid range pellet that throw decent heat and not too much ash. There are certainly better pellets made, but I've found that Empire's are always available in my area and as a result I've been a long time customer. I hope they work well for you.
 
Just picked up som inferno golds. Good specs on the bag. We'll see how they fair.
 
I burned 3 inferno golds so far. They are light colored smallish pellets and burned well with little ash. Do t know about the heat because I only used it on low to take the chill out of the house.
 
Btw I also picked up 5 each of pres to logs, green team and the infernos to try from lowes and picked up 5 of this white bag pellets from TSC.
 
I'd had a chance to try a couple bags of Empires now. Now I've only ever burned two bags of green supreme's and 2 or 3 bags of empires, but I can say there's a massive difference in heat produced in favor of the empires. I'd guess something like 50% more on the same auger setting. So far I'm mostly running the stove on the 1 setting 4-12 hours a day, its in a wood shop that I'm trying to keep between 50 and 60 degrees.
 
Glad to hear the Empires are working for you....If you have a pellet stove in your house, burn a few bags during the cold months and see how they work for you.
 
TheLastDeadMouse said:
I'd had a chance to try a couple bags of Empires now. Now I've only ever burned two bags of green supreme's and 2 or 3 bags of empires, but I can say there's a massive difference in heat produced in favor of the empires. I'd guess something like 50% more on the same auger setting. So far I'm mostly running the stove on the 1 setting 4-12 hours a day, its in a wood shop that I'm trying to keep between 50 and 60 degrees.
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Want to try some but haven't found a dealer , Did you pick yours up in Pots. or canton area ?
 
SESZOO said:
Want to try some but haven't found a dealer , Did you pick yours up in Pots. or canton area ?
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Empires are produce by Waldorf Bros and also have a New Holland dealership just a few miles outside of Canton on NY 11. They stock pellets at this location and the other dealership location just north of Watertown.

We had no complaints about the heat or cost, however we had an unexpected issue with the pellets being so hard that they rode up on the edge of the auger. Once the reached their breaking point the auger dropped back into normal alignment while making an undesirable repetitive noise. We will give them another run this season, as we are still seeking out all options.
 
Ive burned 5-6 bags of Cuuran Blend. So far, their longer like Lignetics. Burn fine, not as hot as Hamers but also no clinkers yet at all. Big fluffy ash, more-so than most pellets Ive burned but its not a problem yet.
 
MadMax31 said:
Ive burned 5-6 bags of Cuuran Blend. So far, their longer like Lignetics. Burn fine, not as hot as Hamers but also no clinkers yet at all. Big fluffy ash, more-so than most pellets Ive burned but its not a problem yet.
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Yet i cant get rid of these curran mix i have fast enough.. lots of ash and little heat compared to every other brand i have tried. My stove dont like them at all
 
Im 12 bags into my ton now. My Wife mentioned they dont burn as hot as some others, which isnt a bad thing for us. Still heats up house to 74 if dont throttle it back. Definitely more ash than most other brands. Still superior to Green Supreme.
 
MadMax31 said:
Im 12 bags into my ton now. My Wife mentioned they dont burn as hot as some others, which isnt a bad thing for us. Still heats up house to 74 if dont throttle it back. Definitely more ash than most other brands. Still superior to Green Supreme.
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Keep an eye on them.. the right side of my stove builds creosote about half way up if i burn them to long on low.. i am mixing them right now with pellets that i have read to have the worst reviews ever right now. And i would prefer the worst reviewed pellet
 
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