Compared to my American Wood Fiber pellets this batch of Somersets produce alot of ash. Anyone else experience this?
Somersets (lots of ash)
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ironpony
Minister of Fire
no, I had just the opposite problem last year,
my stove did not like AWF but the Somersets are great
I liked them so much I bought a truckload.
batches will vary also, so far mine have been very consistent
my stove did not like AWF but the Somersets are great
I liked them so much I bought a truckload.
batches will vary also, so far mine have been very consistent
jtakeman
Minister of Fire
What brand of pellet were you using last season?
Somersets are a dense pellet. To get a complete burn and help remove the ash from sitting in the burnpot. You need to either increase the combustion air or Reduce the amount of fuel delivered into the burnpot. Clumping ash in the burnpot or dark window glass is a dead giveaway to rich combustion. Or just switch back to a less dense pellet!
Somersets are a dense pellet. To get a complete burn and help remove the ash from sitting in the burnpot. You need to either increase the combustion air or Reduce the amount of fuel delivered into the burnpot. Clumping ash in the burnpot or dark window glass is a dead giveaway to rich combustion. Or just switch back to a less dense pellet!
drtnshtr said:
I'm getting just the opposite in my new style Englander insert.
Somersets burn the best for me.
I had 4 tons of the AWF pellets for last winter, burned 1/2 a ton & sold the rest on craigslist. Replaced them with Somersets & no problems !
I have them stockpiled for this season & next. They just burn hotter & cleaner for me.
I have always used American Wood Fiber pellets and always had good luck but I hear everyone talk about the Somersets so I thought I would try them out, especially since Menards were selling them last week for $3.49/ bag. I do not have an OAK hooked up to my US Stove 5500XL and have never had one hooked to my Whitfield either. One thing I have noticed is the Somersets are very small compared to the AWF pellets. The AWF pellets average at least 3/4 inch long and the somersets arent but 1/4 inch or so. My stove doesnt have an ash tray so I vaccum the entire stove usually once per week with the AWF pellets but have to almost daily with the somersets. Im sure an OAK would work better for them but instead I think I will just burn my typical AWF pellets since they seem to do better in my set up. I was getting alot of the clumping you mentioned out of the somersets but I very rarely get clumping with the AWF pellets.j-takeman said:
Vinelife
Minister of Fire
With Somersets I dont even have to worry about cleaning the firepot for a few days...so much less ash build up...
I just purchased a Mt. Vernon, and am trying to understand the difference in wood pellets. I've read never to use pellets from the big box stores or Tractor Supply. You guys are using Somersets from Menards. Looks like that's a savings of $1 or so a bag over what I've been told I "should" burn (about $250/ton).
I know there is no definitive answer, but your experience is valuable.
Ted
I know there is no definitive answer, but your experience is valuable.
Ted
IMO it doesn't matter where you buy. Price usually make that decision. I bought my first 2 tons from tsc and just got another from menards. The big thing is that the pellets are dry and haven't got wet. The only way i will buy from the big box stores is 1 on sale and 2 they must still be wrapped as they came from the factory. Once i get them they will be store in a heated garage until i use them. I use somersets right now but did use awf's before it got real cold the somersets seem to put out more heat with less ash but i do have to add more air to get the burn right over awf's. I have a multi fuel stove and i can burn many different things but pellets are the most affordable for me at this time.
dragracer300,
Thanks for the info. Stopped at TSC. They had Somerset at $4.49/bag, but the pallet was setting outside. Don't know if they are out all the time, but bags were damp. They were busy, so didn't stick around to ask if all their bags were in this condition.
My stove dealer told me that a wood pellet maker just opened west of Springfield, but thought ton price would be in the $250plus range.
Ted - Beavercreek, OH
Thanks for the info. Stopped at TSC. They had Somerset at $4.49/bag, but the pallet was setting outside. Don't know if they are out all the time, but bags were damp. They were busy, so didn't stick around to ask if all their bags were in this condition.
My stove dealer told me that a wood pellet maker just opened west of Springfield, but thought ton price would be in the $250plus range.
Ted - Beavercreek, OH
I just purchased a ton two days ago. Definately a different pellet then the first two tons I have burned this year. The pellets are crushed. They are about the size of a kernel of corn. Bags are full of dust, probably from the pellets being crushed. They are leaving much more ash. I'd take them back but I unloaded the pallet and I am too lazy to go to the trouble. I'm going to burn through them. I did notice that there was a pallet imprint on top of the skid of bags when I started unloading. I will definatley check for that the next time I buy a skid.
Ohio seems to be the place to get cheap pellets right now. Most menards are selling somersets for $4.39/ bag regularly and $3.49/bag when on sale every couple of weeks. AWF pellets are pretty much $4/bag everywhere right now.
UncleAnthony
Member
I found and burned Somersets last year, they burned hot, little ash. Would definitely get these again,
can't find them around here.
can't find them around here.
Burning both Awf and Somersets. I get the same heat output from both but a lot less ash with the somersets.
Right now the Menards in Tipp City has Somersets for $3.50/bag
Right now the Menards in Tipp City has Somersets for $3.50/bag
I purchased 4 bags of Somersets at tractor supply in Belton MO for 3.99 a bag. I have a pallet left of Pro Pellets left but just wanted to run a few bags of Somersets this weekend when the next cold spell hits to see how they compare with all the hype.
I have a M55 and have been burning firesides so far. I tried two bags of somerset and they burn VERY hot but I have found they also produce much more ash then the firesides...
titanracer
Feeling the Heat
drtnshtr said:
j-takeman has it correct! With like somerset & hamers, they are more dense & they seem to burn better with more air going thru burn pot. Also the smaller in length the pellet, the more you get per auger cycle. With more pellets, requires more air to burn them efficently.
EZsteve
Member
This just happened to me this weekend. Burned for three days and had huge ash build up in burn pot. I was burning Old Dominions but switched to somersets because it was getting cold this weekend. It had been a while since a had burned somersets and forgot I closed my damper when i started burning shove chow last year at the end of winter. Any way open her up and it has been doing fine for two days now.
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PA_Clinker
Member
I'd trade the three + ton of Hamers that I have this season for Somersets. Had the pleasure of buring 20 bags recently, and will be looking for them next heating season as my main stash.
Both Somerset and AWF burn good for me, little ash from either but more fines with AWF. Menards in this area sells Michigan wood pellets, .5% ash my ass. My stove is choking after a bag of those.
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