Help Making pellet purchase decision

I've burned both this year, and the Hammers were really hot, but really ashy. My ash pan was full in three days! The prestos were nice, but were no better the the Penningtons I burned last year, and cost more. Can you try a few bags of each first? That maybe your best bet.

i also tried the prestos, not all all impressed. i would try the hamers.

Hello

For the month of January, I would go with the Hammer Hot ones!!

Hello

BTW, dhungry are you satisfied with the Astoria Air Wash?

I hear someone with an Avalon Newport Bay went through 3 bags and window is still clean as a whistle!

I haven't noticed any mention of the density of pellets. I have used several types and until my last ton of Dry Creek I never noticed any difference. Most of the pellets I buy say 40 LBS/Cubic Foot but the Dry Creek said ">40 LBS/ Cubic Foot". Now I don't think that this is noticeable to most of you but I put 2000# in my daily hopper and I noticed that I did not have as much volume as normal when I was done filling up my bin. I also noticed that I needed to decrease the amount of pellets that my burner requires to start a burn and I need to reduce the amount of pellets that I feed when burning. This would indicate that they burn hotter by volume but not necessarily by ton as you get less pellets but they are more dense. Any thoughts?

Hoval said:

I haven't noticed any mention of the density of pellets. I have used several types and until my last ton of Dry Creek I never noticed any difference. Most of the pellets I buy say 40 LBS/Cubic Foot but the Dry Creek said ">40 LBS/ Cubic Foot". Now I don't think that this is noticeable to most of you but I put 2000# in my daily hopper and I noticed that I did not have as much volume as normal when I was done filling up my bin. I also noticed that I needed to decrease the amount of pellets that my burner requires to start a burn and I need to reduce the amount of pellets that I feed when burning. This would indicate that they burn hotter by volume but not necessarily by ton as you get less pellets but they are more dense. Any thoughts?

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Bulk density effects the amount feed to the fire. So does size. Becuase the auger feeds volume to the burnpot. The densest pellet that has just the right size to pack it in will produce the most heat. I have been noting density in my reviews. I also note size just in case. Not to mention how long they burn for in time. A dense pellet doesn't give the long burn time of a lower density pellet but if you use a thermostat. It all equals out. If your burning 24/7 using a lower heat setting will make them last about the same. Where density is key is when the stove doesn't keep up with the cold. Using a denser pellet will be like adding another heat setting to the stove that doesn't quite have enough horse power. Fun stuff really. I kind of have fun finding whats in the bag more than whats on it.

I have to agree with the Hamers suggestions. But they are a bit dusty (fines) and do produce a good amount of ash. Not exactly what I expected from an "Ultra-Premium" (Elkins plant) pellet, but they do throw some great heat!

I've used the Prestos with good success, but never the Hamers so I can't comment there. The Prestos are my main pellet this year. I pull out some somersets for the really cold nights, but the Prestos are my normal pellet.

Same advice still goes: Buy a few of each, and see which burns better.