Central New Yorkers

nporter1 · Oct 3, 2011

I am SO glad I found this forum! I'm absolutely a newbie re: pellet stoves & heating and have been voraciously reading everything here. I'm so new I don't even have my St. Croix Prescott Exp stove yet but it should be arriving this week. Question I have is - how many tons of pellets do I need for a Central NY winter? Anybody who lives here knows that winter lasted 9 months last year (exaggerating only slightly).

I recently purchased 1 ton of Pres-to-Logs from Lowes and will probably be buying another ton of Stove Chows from Home Depot. The latter I'll have to probably buy and haul 10 bags at a time because the delivery charge to my home costs almost as much as the pellets.

Also, does anyone know what kind of hearth pad would be needed for this stove? I'd like to build one prior to the stove's arrival but haven't found any information on the internet about what would be required. I'm thinking 2x4 frame with 1/2" plywood on top and bottom, cement board on top, covered with tile. How much larger than the stove footprint should the pad be?

Thanks for your help.
Nancy

SmokeyTheBear · Oct 3, 2011

nancyp said:
I am SO glad I found this forum! I'm absolutely a newbie re: pellet stoves & heating and have been voraciously reading everything here. I'm so new I don't even have my St. Croix Prescott Exp stove yet but it should be arriving this week. Question I have is - how many tons of pellets do I need for a Central NY winter? Anybody who lives here knows that winter lasted 9 months last year (exaggerating only slightly).

I recently purchased 1 ton of Pres-to-Logs from Lowes and will probably be buying another ton of Stove Chows from Home Depot. The latter I'll have to probably buy and haul 10 bags at a time because the delivery charge to my home costs almost as much as the pellets.

Also, does anyone know what kind of hearth pad would be needed for this stove? I'd like to build one prior to the stove's arrival but haven't found any information on the internet about what would be required. I'm thinking 2x4 frame with 1/2" plywood on top and bottom, cement board on top, covered with tile. How much larger than the stove footprint should the pad be?

Thanks for your help.
Nancy

Welcome to the forum Nancy.

I'd download the installation manual from the St. Croix site and read it over there should be a section dealing with what the clearances and such need to be as well as hearth pad information.

You need to satisfy that requirement in order to be compliant with the stoves certifications. Most folks tend to allow plenty of room on their hearths for reasons other than just what the stove requires.

Chain · Oct 3, 2011

Welcome to the forums.....As a NORTHERN New Yorker living between Utica and Watertown, NY, I think I can safely suggest 2 tons isn't a bad number to begin the heating season with. Obviously without knowing more specifics about your house and your typical comfort level for heating in winter, it's hard to be certain. Given that there's a great deal of pellet manufacturing that occurs right in central and northern, NY, you can easily buy more pellets as the season progresses as there isn't typically a shortage of pellets available.

Also, don't necessarily rely on the big box stores for your pellets. What I would suggest is finding a dealer of quality pellets that you can establish a long term relationship with. Maybe even one that will allow you to pre-buy and store your pellets at their location for pick-up if and when you need them. This is what I've done for about 10 years now and it works great. Usually this type of arrangement can be established with a good stove dealer who also sells pellets. My guy will store my pellets indefinitely so I just buy about a ton every fall and may not even use them until the following winter depending upon the weather and such. His business is about 45 minutes from where the pellets are manufactured and so he gets multiple tractor trailer loads each year thereby ensuring plenty of stock on hand as he has a huge warehouse. And they don't sit too long and so are pretty much guaranteed "fresh."

nporter1 · Oct 3, 2011

Welcome to the forum Nancy.

I'd download the installation manual from the St. Croix site and read it over there should be a section dealing with what the clearances and such need to be as well as hearth pad information.

You need to satisfy that requirement in order to be compliant with the stoves certifications. Most folks tend to allow plenty of room on their hearths for reasons other than just what the stove requires.

I did just that - I went to the St. Croix website and downloaded the manual. Funny that I missed that manual the last 2 times I visited their site.

Thanks for the welcome too. I've been in forums where you take your life in your hands posting a question but I've not found a single obnoxious comment in this one. How refreshing!

DexterDay · Oct 3, 2011

4 tons is a good average. If trying to use as a Primary heating source. Welcome to the Forum.

PJPellet · Oct 3, 2011

DexterDay said:
4 tons is a good average. If trying to use as a Primary heating source. Welcome to the Forum.

I agree, 4 tons is a good average. BTW Welcome to the Forum. I live down the thruway about 50 miles east of Buffalo. Enjoy your stove!

nporter1 · Oct 3, 2011

Chain said:
Welcome to the forums.....As a NORTHERN New Yorker living between Utica and Watertown, NY, I think I can safely suggest 2 tons isn't a bad number to begin the heating season with. Obviously without knowing more specifics about your house and your typical comfort level for heating in winter, it's hard to be certain. Given that there's a great deal of pellet manufacturing that occurs right in central and northern, NY, you can easily buy more pellets as the season progresses as there isn't typically a shortage of pellets available.

Also, don't necessarily rely on the big box stores for your pellets. What I would suggest is finding a dealer of quality pellets that you can establish a long term relationship with. Maybe even one that will allow you to pre-buy and store your pellets at their location for pick-up if and when you need them. This is what I've done for about 10 years now and it works great. Usually this type of arrangement can be established with a good stove dealer who also sells pellets. My guy will store my pellets indefinitely so I just buy about a ton every fall and may not even use them until the following winter depending upon the weather and such. His business is about 45 minutes from where the pellets are manufactured and so he gets multiple tractor trailer loads each year thereby ensuring plenty of stock on hand as he has a huge warehouse. And they don't sit too long and so are pretty much guaranteed "fresh."

It is so good to know that I won't have to fear running out of pellets! I had read that happening in a couple of places in the forum although I didn't know their location. I was unaware that pellet manufacturing was so strong in this area. I'm just starting to do a more in-depth look at the pellet quality and heat production.

There is so much to learn!

nporter1 · Oct 3, 2011

This is such a great forum!! And everyone is so welcoming.

Four tons is a good number to shoot for, then. I've got storage space for about 2-3 tons in the garage then I guess I'll pick up more as space opens up.
Thanks to everyone
Nancy

farmboy57 · Oct 3, 2011

you must be close ,i live near caz. welcome :lol:

RiddleMasterMorgon · Oct 4, 2011

we used 2.5 ton last year when using the oil furnace at night (also to keep the basement from freezing), I think we will need about four ton this season heating the house only. Your local Hearth and Home or Agway are good places to start comparing pellets - box stores did not quite do it for me last year. As for delivery, try asking someone local that has a truck/trailer if they can do the hauling for you - pellet places usually charge a lot for delivery, but your local guy might easily cut that in half (but consider service level - some might just drop the palette in your driveway, others will stack every single bag where you want it.

If the stove it not quite there yet, go out and buy a couple of bags from all kinds of sources and start comparing them, its fun to get to know your stove and figure out the best brand for your needs - before spending serious money on a couple of tons. I was rather dissapointed with my (rather rash) choice last year.

RiddleMasterMorgon · Oct 4, 2011

SInce there are so many central new yorkers in this thread...anyone interested in sharing a whole truckload ? I believe they do 20 tons, put some are willing to do a couple of stops along the way. pellets.com would be an example - they only drop it off road side, so you have to do some more work...

I have some bags already, but I could use some more towards the end of the season I guess, just planning ahead for next season. I would be curious to try softwood and some other brands I can not get locally, but 20 tons I just can not possibly store anywhere.

Anyone interested in principle or some specific plans already ? Does something like Costcos exist for pellets ?

imacman · Oct 4, 2011

First of all Nancy, welcome to the forum!

As for how many tons to have, I would think the above mentioned 4 tons is a good number for your area. I'm in NY down near Poughkeepsie, and I went through a little over 4 tons myself last winter. Your winters are probably colder, but 4 tons should get you most of the way through.

And as for the pellets themselves, I'd jump on those Stove Chow ASAP....their a good pellet. The Presto Logs are just OK, and probably best suited to the shoulder season burning for you.

Good luck with the hearth, and don't forget that we need to see pics of the final install, or else it really didn't happen! LOL

nporter1 · Oct 4, 2011

Riddle Master Morgon said:
we used 2.5 ton last year when using the oil furnace at night (also to keep the basement from freezing), I think we will need about four ton this season heating the house only. Your local Hearth and Home or Agway are good places to start comparing pellets - box stores did not quite do it for me last year. As for delivery, try asking someone local that has a truck/trailer if they can do the hauling for you - pellet places usually charge a lot for delivery, but your local guy might easily cut that in half (but consider service level - some might just drop the palette in your driveway, others will stack every single bag where you want it.

If the stove it not quite there yet, go out and buy a couple of bags from all kinds of sources and start comparing them, its fun to get to know your stove and figure out the best brand for your needs - before spending serious money on a couple of tons. I was rather dissapointed with my (rather rash) choice last year.

I've got a True Value a mile away but they're selling Instant Heat (which I haven't read too many good things about) at $245/ton. I didn't even ask them about delivery. I was pretty excited about the prospect of a pellet seller so close but was disappointed at the brand and that I'd have to get a ton.

Meneillys · Oct 4, 2011

On average in my delivery area from water town to Syracuse and Hannibal to Utica customers use 3.5 tons. Most order 3 then get another one in the spring I noticed. Depending on your location Central NY has a wide variety of pellet brands from local dealers. Central Square area has Barefoot and New England from JJ Feeds, Curran from Fireside Chatts, Eden, Cubex, and New England from me. Oswego I have Seen Dry Creek and Empire. PA pellet, Allegheny, Rocky Mountain, and Somerset I have seen in my travels also. Good luck with your new stove and happy heating

nporter1 · Oct 4, 2011

imacman said:
First of all Nancy, welcome to the forum!

As for how many tons to have, I would think the above mentioned 4 tons is a good number for your area. I'm in NY down near Poughkeepsie, and I went through a little over 4 tons myself last winter. Your winters are probably colder, but 4 tons should get you most of the way through.

And as for the pellets themselves, I'd jump on those Stove Chow ASAP....their a good pellet. The Presto Logs are just OK, and probably best suited to the shoulder season burning for you.

Good luck with the hearth, and don't forget that we need to see pics of the final install, or else it really didn't happen! LOL

I've seen this reference before on the forum but what is "shoulder season"? Yes, I'm going to start buying the Stove Chows by the bag as I refuse to drop so much on delivery. Yes, I'll upload pictures.... I've been all over this forum looking at pictures - especially as I'm building my hearth pad. I LOVE pictures too.

Chain · Oct 4, 2011

Just to give you an idea of where some pellets are manufactured in our general area, there's a large manufacturer in Massena, NY (Curran) which is northern St. Lawrence county, also another company outside Watertown in Theresa, NY (which are the pellets I use), and also a medium size producer just between Utica and Herkimer, NY....Those are three I'm aware of just off the top of my head. It's great knowing I'm burning a product produced right in my back yard and some of the money I spend heating my house stays here in the local economy. It's another benefit to using wood pellets often not considered, but a very important one in my opinion.

SmokeyTheBear · Oct 4, 2011

nancyp said:
imacman said:

First of all Nancy, welcome to the forum!

As for how many tons to have, I would think the above mentioned 4 tons is a good number for your area. I'm in NY down near Poughkeepsie, and I went through a little over 4 tons myself last winter. Your winters are probably colder, but 4 tons should get you most of the way through.

And as for the pellets themselves, I'd jump on those Stove Chow ASAP....their a good pellet. The Presto Logs are just OK, and probably best suited to the shoulder season burning for you.

Good luck with the hearth, and don't forget that we need to see pics of the final install, or else it really didn't happen! LOL

Click to expand...

I've seen this reference before on the forum but what is "shoulder season"? Yes, I'm going to start buying the Stove Chows by the bag as I refuse to drop so much on delivery. Yes, I'll upload pictures.... I've been all over this forum looking at pictures - especially as I'm building my hearth pad. I LOVE pictures too.

Oh boy, my favorite topic shoulder season.

Nancy, shoulder season is the time when it isn't bone numbing cold outside and your stove sort of glides along on low settings. During this time you can heat things quite well with cheap low BTU higher ash pellets and save the really good pellets for the cold times.

Now in my world shoulder season is when you don't have to carry in two bags on each shoulder every day too stay warm, in other words it is easy on the shoulders.

nporter1 · Oct 4, 2011

Oh boy, my favorite topic shoulder season.

Nancy, shoulder season is the time when it isn't bone numbing cold outside and your stove sort of glides along on low settings. During this time you can heat things quite well with cheap low BTU higher ash pellets and save the really good pellets for the cold times.

Now in my world shoulder season is when you don't have to carry in two bags on each shoulder every day too stay warm, in other words it is easy on the shoulders.

LOL, that's great! I never would have guessed that. I have enough trouble carrying one bag say nothing of two! I can pack a dolly, though!

imacman · Oct 4, 2011

In other words, shoulder season is typically from Oct.-Nov. and from Mar.-April.

RiddleMasterMorgon · Oct 4, 2011

245 a ton for Instant Heat ???? Thats....ah......how should I put it.....thats what I paid for my barefoots a couple of weeks back and these two are night and day compared to each other. I need to put my stove to a 3/5 feed rate in order to get the same heat out than for a 2/5 with the Barefoots. And since my pellet stove is rather undersized for the whole house - I cant have that. I need the max heat I can get out of a pellet.

nporter1 · Oct 5, 2011

Riddle Master Morgon said:
245 a ton for Instant Heat ???? Thats....ah......how should I put it.....thats what I paid for my barefoots a couple of weeks back and these two are night and day compared to each other. I need to put my stove to a 3/5 feed rate in order to get the same heat out than for a 2/5 with the Barefoots. And since my pellet stove is rather undersized for the whole house - I cant have that. I need the max heat I can get out of a pellet.

Where did you get your Barefoots from?

AlwaysCold · Oct 5, 2011

I just had a pellet stove installed early September. I picked up a bag of Instant Heats from TSC to have on hand for the install. I ran it at night a couple times that week just for fun. The next week it was chilly so I fired up the stove with the intention to use it for real. Lots of smoke, fire goes out during startup, stove blinks #3. Kept trying and trying with the same results. I was freaking out because I was convinced the stove was a bad purchase and we were going to freeze to death in the winter (dealer said their customers like Instant Heats - husband kept questioning the length of the pellets, like he had a premonition they'd be pellets from hell lol). After much research we learned the auger was jammed. We couldn't unjam it though! The dealer unjammed it the following week in less than 5 minutes using a vice grip.

So basically Instant Heats are evil. They break shiny new things, which majorly stresses me out lol.

DexterDay · Oct 5, 2011

AlwaysCold said:
I just had a pellet stove installed early September. I picked up a bag of Instant Heats from TSC to have on hand for the install. I ran it at night a couple times that week just for fun. The next week it was chilly so I fired up the stove with the intention to use it for real. Lots of smoke, fire goes out during startup, stove blinks #3. Kept trying and trying with the same results. I was freaking out because I was convinced the stove was a bad purchase and we were going to freeze to death in the winter (dealer said their customers like Instant Heats - husband kept questioning the length of the pellets, like he had a premonition they'd be pellets from hell lol). After much research we learned the auger was jammed. We couldn't unjam it though! The dealer unjammed it the following week in less than 5 minutes using a vice grip. So basically Instant Heats are evil. They break shiny new things, which majorly stresses me out lol.

LOL.....

Glad it worked out for you. What type of stove do you have? You can enter a Signature by Clicking on "Your Control Panel" at the top pf the screen and then clicking on "Edit Signature" on the left hand side of the screen.

Welcome to the Forums. . .

AlwaysCold · Oct 5, 2011

DexterDay said:
LOL.....

Glad it worked out for you. What type of stove do you have? You can enter a Signature by Clicking on "Your Control Panel" at the top pf the screen and then clicking on "Edit Signature" on the left hand side of the screen.

Welcome to the Forums. . .

Thanks for the welcome. Added it to my sig. :D I don't know enough about pellet stoves to add anything else to the sig lol.

RiddleMasterMorgon · Oct 5, 2011

nancyp said:
Riddle Master Morgon said:

245 a ton for Instant Heat ???? Thats....ah......how should I put it.....thats what I paid for my barefoots a couple of weeks back and these two are night and day compared to each other. I need to put my stove to a 3/5 feed rate in order to get the same heat out than for a 2/5 with the Barefoots. And since my pellet stove is rather undersized for the whole house - I cant have that. I need the max heat I can get out of a pellet.

Click to expand...

Where did you get your Barefoots from?

I am lucky since I have three Agways in about 30 min driving distance around me, combined they have a decent collection of pellets ranging from Barefoot, NewEngland, InstantHeat (bah), Lignetics ect. The Barefoots were from the Agway in Ithaca, I thought they are pricey but they tested good for me last year so I thought I give it a try this year and get some experience with really good pellets. We will see how it goes, they forecast the first frost for tonight....

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