Lowes Infernos, HDs Freedom Fuel or Walmarts Natures Heat?

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Don2222

Don2222

Minister of Fire
Feb 1, 2010
9,117
Salem NH
Hello

Prices are good right now around here.

Lowe's Infernos
$4.19 a bag minus the 10% coupon
$3.77 per bag!

Actually I had a $10 off $50 or more coupon.
So I purchased 12 bags
12 x 4.19 = $50.28 - $10 = 40.28 / 12 = $3.36 per 40lb Bag!!


Home Depot's Freedom Fuel
$4.18 a bag minus the 10% coupon
$3.76 per bag!

Walmart's Natures Heat
$5.00 a bag - Unbeatable Price?????????

I saw a thread about Infernos possible being better this year but did not see a conclusion?
Are Infernos better this year?
Infernos are affiliated with the Kraft Corporation owned by NE Patriot's owner Bob Kraft with their sales office located at one Patriot place in Foxboro MA.
Are they the winner here?
 

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I've heard that natures heat isn't that good, but may be a good shoulder month pellet. Freedom fuel has gotten mixed reviews...
 
I have not tried Infernos yet so I can't comment on those.

Between Freedom Fuel and Nature's Heat, I would rate both as average to slightly below average. Nature's Heat burned noticeably hotter for me. Both were comparable for resulting ash. I would rate the the Nature's Heat higher subjectively, but the price difference you sight is pretty big so that is hard to ignore. I wouldn't burn Freedom Fuel in the dead of a New England Winter... not enough heat (IMHO).

Can you get two or 3 bags of each to try them before you decide? Does your Lowes have any other choices like Somersets, Green Team or Stove Chow? Any of those would probably be better choices.
 
Hello

Thanks for your comments Gweeper64 & NorthenQuad.

Lowes had a few bags of Green Team but they went real quick at $4.19 before I could get to them. So all they have now is Infernos. I got 12 bags to get the $10 off a $50 purchase on the Infernos so I will see how they burn. Might be good for the shoulder seasons but I will see.
 
NorthernQuad said:
I've heard that natures heat isn't that good, but may be a good shoulder month pellet. Freedom fuel has gotten mixed reviews...
Click to expand...

I have burned the Natures Heat Brand for 4 years now with no problems at all. They burn hot and have little ash especially compared to thoses other cheap brands.

I buy them with confidence
 
Don2222 said:
Hello

Thanks for your comments Gweeper64 & NorthenQuad.

Lowes had a few bags of Green Team but they went real quick at $4.19 before I could get to them. So all they have now is Infernos. I got 12 bags to get the 10% off on the Infernos so I will see how they burn. Might be good for the shoulder seasons but I will see.
Click to expand...

I burned the Infernos' last season and they were the worst pellet of the season. Word out on the street was they are trying to improve them, But its been hit and miss bepending on the batch you get. I hope they burn better for you.

My results.

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/42511/P66/#480490
 
Don2222 said:
I saw a thread about Infernos possible being better this year but did not see a conclusion?
Are Infernos better this year?
Infernos are part of the Kraft Corporation owned by NE Patriot's owner Bob Kraft.
Are they the winner here?
Click to expand...

In my experience, out of those three brands the Freedom Fuel were the best of the bunch.
If you can get your hands on some better brands, I would only use these for the shoulder seasons.

The Inferno pellets last year were terrible. My bags were so loaded with crumbles, I could have burned the mulch
from the garden and got the same results.
I have not tried them yet this year to confirm/deny the rumor that they are better this season.

Also on a side note, Lopes Construction/NER owns Inferno and are working with IFP for sales and distribution.
 
I'm almost a ton into my Infernos this year and got to say they have been very good. I think we had one bum bag where it didn't seem the flame was decent but for the most part we been very happy with them this year.
 
I should add also that there is still clinker but nowhere near as bad as last year. The fines are way down. Bags have very very little fines. Stove hasn't clogged once yet this year. The ash content has been pretty decent too. Just had to empty the Cheetah vac yesterday and it was leftovers from last year in it too. Stove has been going 3-4 days between cleanings. We were cleaning once per day last year.
 
Hello Salty

Glad to hear the Infernos are better this year, I could not pass up the price.

J maybe another test for this year is in order?

Also I know Kraft does have a monetary interest in Infernos, why else would a Patriot's Cheerleader advertise them!

This year's Lab test for Infernos below:
 

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don, the twinports test is kind of small. I can't read it. Could you email me a copy if I PM my email address?
 
Hello

I realized the Twin Port test was small so I just reposted it. Please try again.

Also like their advertising. This Patriot's Cheerleader does not need pellets to keep her warm!!!
 

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none of the above.
 
So what your saying is that even though I'm telling you I burned 30-35 bags so far and my flame is excellent and we've actually had to shut the stove off multiple times so far you still think this years are junk?

Why because I didn't put a thermometer in my grate?

I slogged through the crap last year. Cleaning every single day. 3-5" flames on #5 setting. This stuff isn't anything even close. My only disappointment is the clinker. Everything else has been fantastic so far with the exception of a possible bad bag.

I'll tell you more in another few tons. I'd love to send a bag in to test but I seriously think it's a waste of time because shipping a 40 lb bag will just increase the fines content and break the pellets into smaller pieces. That's not anything close to a accurate test still?
 
Salty said:
So what your saying is that even though I'm telling you I burned 30-35 bags so far and my flame is excellent and we've actually had to shut the stove off multiple times so far you still think this years are junk?

Why because I didn't put a thermometer in my grate?

I slogged through the crap last year. Cleaning every single day. 3-5" flames on #5 setting. This stuff isn't anything even close. My only disappointment is the clinker. Everything else has been fantastic so far with the exception of a possible bad bag.

I'll tell you more in another few tons. I'd love to send a bag in to test but I seriously think it's a waste of time because shipping a 40 lb bag will just increase the fines content and break the pellets into smaller pieces. That's not anything close to a accurate test still?
Click to expand...

I think what imacman meant was he doesn't trust the Twinports test results(nor do I for that matter). You see the mills can sellect a great batch to be sent for testing and then produce a lesser product for the general public.

The real world comment is what we get from you the burner. :) We'll take your comments anyday over the lab test! Be cool brother and stay warm!
 
Inferno is a whole new pellet this year, I agree with you Salty. I heard all the horror stories this year (because we sold them) about everyone's difficulty with them last year and years before but I've burned about a ton 1/2 in my shop and they burn great. We've had no problems when burning them. I actually enjoy mixing the okies with the infernos I think it's a nice burn.

With that said, go for the Inferno's, at $179/ton you can't go wrong
 
j-takeman said:
Salty said:
So what your saying is that even though I'm telling you I burned 30-35 bags so far and my flame is excellent and we've actually had to shut the stove off multiple times so far you still think this years are junk?

Why because I didn't put a thermometer in my grate?
Click to expand...

I think what imacman meant was he doesn't trust the Twinports test results(nor do I for that matter). You see the mills can sellect a great batch to be sent for testing and then produce a lesser product for the general public.

The real world comment is what we get from you the burner. :) We'll take your comments anyday over the lab test! Be cool brother and stay warm!
Click to expand...

As Jay stated, I did not mean I don't believe your burn results. I'm overjoyed that they seem better for you this year, BUT....between you and "deprayb" (who just happens to be a DEALER of these pellets), that is just 2 samples.

As we have said before, everyone's stove/exhaust/cleaning regimen is different, so it will be a while (and some more positive reviews) before I remove them from the "junk" list.
 
imacman said:
j-takeman said:
Salty said:
So what your saying is that even though I'm telling you I burned 30-35 bags so far and my flame is excellent and we've actually had to shut the stove off multiple times so far you still think this years are junk?

Why because I didn't put a thermometer in my grate?
Click to expand...

I think what imacman meant was he doesn't trust the Twinports test results(nor do I for that matter). You see the mills can sellect a great batch to be sent for testing and then produce a lesser product for the general public.

The real world comment is what we get from you the burner. :) We'll take your comments anyday over the lab test! Be cool brother and stay warm!
Click to expand...

As Jay stated, I did not mean I don't believe your burn results. I'm overjoyed that they seem better for you this year, BUT....between you and "deprayb" (who just happens to be a DEALER of these pellets), that is just 2 samples.

As we have said before, everyone's stove/exhaust/cleaning regimen is different, so it will be a while (and some more positive reviews) before I remove them from the "junk" list.
Click to expand...

Last I heard, "deprayb" was over joyed when he sold the last ton he had and stated we wasn't going to carry them anymore. Struck me a little "ODD"! If they were that much better, You would think he still would market them? I'll dig up the post if needed?
 
j-takeman said:
Last I heard, "deprayb" was overjoyed when he sold the last ton he had and stated he wasn't going to carry them anymore. Struck me a little "ODD"! If they were that much better, You would think he still would market them? I'll dig up the post if needed?
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm. Now that IS an interesting twist to this. Got rid of a very cheap pellet that just happens to burn really well now? Doesn't sound like a typical dealer to me.
 
I stayed away from the Inferno's based upon reading various bad reviews here and other sites. They seem to be readily available around here so I also await and welcome the results from this years batch. I still will hold off until there is a preponderance of evidence stating good results.

Like J said, the real world reviews from burners like us IS the best way to evaluate brands.
 
Hello

I dumped in a bag of Infernos over my real hard premium hardwood Canadian Logik-e pellets in the hopper and the Infernos had very little fines. That is a good start.

Also in a comparison between the two, the Infernos are slightly darker in color and by picking at them seemed slightly softer. I showed my wife and said guess which is which. She examined them and picked the Inferno pellet correctly by observing the characteristics I just mentioned!

The Inferno bags seem slightly puffier than the Logik-e bags. Another sign that they may be less dense and softer. However since the bags must be 40 lbs each the Inferno bags may contain more pellets. So they may burn hotter and faster but having a few more pellets in the bag might make up the difference. The length of the Infernos varied but seemed to be within reason.

So by using my $10 off a $50 purchase on 12 bags of Infernos for $3.36 per bag it may be worth it.

I will let you know if the burning is alot different between the two.

Thanks everyone for your inputs!!!

Inferno is the Top pellet in the picture below:
 

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Don2222 said:
Hello

I dumped in a bag of Infernos over my real hard premium hardwood Canadian Logik-e pellets in the hopper and the Infernos had very little fines. That is a good start.

Also in a comparison between the two, the Infernos are slightly darker in color and by picking at them seemed slightly softer. I showed my wife and said guess which is which. She examined them and picked the Inferno pellet correctly by observing the characteristics I just mentioned!

The Inferno bags seem slightly puffier than the Logik-e bags. Another sign that they may be less dense and softer. However since the bags must be 40 lbs each the Inferno bags may contain more pellets. So they may burn hotter and faster but having a few more pellets in the bag might make up the difference. The length of the Infernos varied but seemed to be within reason.So by using my $10 off a $50 purchase on 12 bags of Infernos for $3.36 per bag it may be worth it.

I will let you know if the burning is alot different between the two.

Thanks everyone for your inputs!!!

Inferno is the Top pellet in the picture below:
Click to expand...

I have found not all bags to be fourty pounds. It isn't a given and could very some.

Actually I think the less dense pellet to provide slightly less heat, But takes longer to burn than a denser pellet. The auger system seems to put about the same volume of fuel into the burnpot. But the Denser pellet's weight is greater by volume. More weight=more fiber=more heat. Just fyi :) I had a post on it some where.
 
Been burning acp pellets...and just threw in a load of freedom fuel pellets.
My side magnet thermo went from 385 to 470.
Are you serious ?

I know acp's are generally bottom of the barrel but the look and feel of freedom fuel pellets reminds of the wood stove burning BioBricks - very good looking and solid.

If this is what I can expect from freedom fuel then well I'm pleasantly surprised.

HD in my area has them for 4.38/bag so 219/ton.

-John
 
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