Pellet Choice

Hi,

My local dealer is carrying Ambiance and Vermont pellets this year. They don't have an open pallet of both pellets, so I was wondering what you would recommend.

I have a Whitfield Quest free standing stove that can be a little picky when it comes to pellets. It works best with a low ash pellet.

Yes I know I should purchase a few bags of each pellet to try but that is not an option. And yes I should have purchased a pallet of pellets earlier this fall, but things go in the way.

So can you help me out?

thanks

Rick.........

Vermonts would be the lowest ash of the 2. Good heat too!

Hey man...This is just pellets, not wine, so no need to berate yourself for what "should have been done." In a perfect world, there would be no need for "trying before you buy" and we would just know that all "premium" pellets are fine. But our industry unfortunately is miles from that being a reality.
The good news is, you will be fine with either of these brands. And absolutely worst case scenario, you find something that you don't care for. But neither of these brands are bad.

I've burned both, I'd go with the Vermonts. Ambiance were OK, but I found them to produce more ash than I like.

I have 2 tons of VTs and 1 of Ambiance in my stash - I bought the Ambiance just to try a good hardwood pellet that had a lot of oak in it. I've burned a few bags of each between the shoulders I'm running when we've had these little 48 hour cold snaps. So far I'd have to say that this run of Ambiance are actually lower ash producers in my stove than the VTs I have - roughly 2/3 the ammount. I know people will scoff at that but it's what I'm seeing. They don't seem quite hot as the VTs, but damn close. I think they are both excellent pellets - best I've burned, and I'd be happy with either. Too bad your choices are so lousy

Vermont, no contest.

Nobody here can legitimately argue with what you see in your stove when it is running because they can't see it. And if they can, then start by telling them to get out of your house!

I wouldn't say lousy, There are far worse pellets to be stuck with IMHO. But definetly too few choices.

Um yeah, that was sarcasm...

Ahhh, Sorry!

My local dealer only carries these two brands. If I go to Paris Farmers Union I have 3 or 4 more choice, but they sell pellets like the box store; meaning pellets are pellets. If I travel to Southern Maine Renewable fuels in Windham I do have many more choices. My feeling was my local stove dealer is 20 minutes from me and if the pellets were good I would save money and time only traveling a 40 minutes round trip instead of two hours round trip to Windham.

Given my stove I find a high quality pellet burns cleaner and hotter with less hassle than the lower quality pellets.

Thanks for all the help.

Rick..........

IMHO you really can't go wrong with those two.

When I went to pick up the pellets the store was sold out of Vermont so I went with Ambiance. I will say I am impressed. Low ash and high heat. The pellets are burning cleaning than the ton of Cubex I picked up last year.

I only paid 249 for the ton and that included having them help me load. I have to hand load my trailer since the tailgate is not removable and thus the forklift can't be used.

Given what I paid and how my Whitfield Quest is burning them I will be purchasing more next year, unless I need more this winter since we haven't turned the heat on yet.

thanks again for the advice.

Rick........