1. Welcome Hearth.com Guests and Visitors - Please enjoy our forums!
    Hearth.com GOLD Sponsors who help bring the site content to you:
    Jotul Cast Iron Stoves
    Woodstock Soapstone Stoves
    Hearth and Home (QuadraFire and Harman Stoves)
  1. DexterDay Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 11, 2010
    9,039 posts
    NE Ohio
    Somersets for $175 in Ohio every year. Several times a year.

    Pellets do change from year to year, hell, even batch to batch. But companies that strive to have a consistent fiber, are those that continue to have a Hot, Consistent, and Quality product. A few of these companies are Somerset, Turman, Okies, etc...

    Its all about the price point for me. I do it save money. My stoves handle ash pretty well, so the heat is of a concern. But I have it limited to just a few brands I will buy. I have not paid over $200 a ton in several years now. Closer to $175-$190 a ton. . . Especially when Somersets go on sale at Menards :) :) :) :)

    Helpful Sponsor Ads!



  2. Melissa220 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Aug 10, 2012
    306 posts
    central ME
    Schoondog, I believe the key phrase in your comment is "for the same price" . Yes, there is absolutely the consideration that a higher quality pellet may give off more heat and therefore require fewer pellets be burned thereby justifying the higher price paid for that pellet. It may be that you reside in an area where you have a high availability of a variety of pellets and prices are reasonable.

    But there are people who are not so lucky. I would love to be able to burn a high quality pellet like an Okie or Cubex during the coldest months. But where I am, these pellets are over $300 per ton. I can buy MWP blend for $197 per ton. My consideration right now is that this $100 in my pocket means much more. For what I have in my area for pellets I have absolutely referred to J's wonderful research and comments. (Thanks, JTakeman!)

    If the Cubex And Okies were $197 per ton? You bet I'd buy them in a heartbeat. Might even become a Huge Hog in the process!

    In the meantime..... to each their own. Everyone will make the determination what works best for them whether it be for financial reasons, what their stove likes, availability, or even personal reasons.

    Have a great day everyone! :cool:
    jjs777_fzr and hilbiliarkiboi like this.
  3. allFIREDup New Member

    joined: Oct 24, 2011
    65 posts
    Central NH
    Ha, I don't doubt for one second that you've rubbed elbows with others..mods should take note of that. Not sure what's so funny about using a low priced pellet that gets the job done...odd sense of humor. Green Team had more ash and slightly more heat. Just not worth the extra cost. Some of us put our stove in the correct spot and it easily heats our home. You probably have your stove in your basement and now need to spend more on pellets to keep the wife and kid from freezing. Not everyone needs a more expensive super BTU pellet. I like your subjective pellet sniffing reviews though..... "smells like wax" maybe cuz i had my fingers in my ears..i dunno.
    smoke show likes this.
  4. smoke show Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 17, 2008
    4,607 posts
    Pittsfield, Wi
    [IMG]
    Melissa220, kykel and subsailor like this.
  5. hotdawg Member

    joined: Nov 3, 2011
    197 posts
    Central, MA

    LOL! Can I have some of that popcorn?
  6. jtakeman Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2008
    12,723 posts
    Northwestern CT.
    I think this has gone on long enough, So I took a step back and read your thread and postings. I see you are only comparing GT's and Green Supreme's(sorry didn't notice that before). GT's being more expensive by quite a bit. And the GS's having the better price. So I too would go the same route that you choose. Lowes used to think that all pellets were similar and carried the same price. Now they caught on and have tried to get more for what they say is a premium pellet with the GT's. They both are premium pellets IMHO. So I apoligize and agree 100% with your choice!

    I sometimes forget that some area's don't have the choices available that are available in my area. I have a rather large selection easily found within a 25 mile radius of my location. I am spoiled with a rather large selection to choose from.

    "The wax smell" Some mills use parifin wax in the process as a binder. There has been others that notice it from time to time. Whether you believe it or not. That was what I found. Am I entitled to an opinion?

    Good day!
    schoondog and smoke show like this.
  7. mralias Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 29, 2008
    616 posts
    MA
    1/2 time ;? Need food, drink and a bathroom break.
  8. jtakeman Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2008
    12,723 posts
    Northwestern CT.
    Nah, I surrender! Have mercy(pitty) on an old fart! :(
  9. JBiBBs5 Member

    joined: Sep 8, 2011
    141 posts
    Rhode Island
    Jtakeman, if you consider GS's a premium pellet, what would you consider a standard/average pellet?

    I ask because I burned a few bags of GS's last year and didn't like them any better than the stove chow. Personally, I wouldn't consider either of them to be "premium."
    jtakeman likes this.
  10. oldmountvernon Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 27, 2011
    2,157 posts
    SE Mass
    i think infernos say premium pellet, nuff said ;)
    hilbiliarkiboi and jtakeman like this.
  11. slls Minister of Fire

    joined: Jun 9, 2008
    1,317 posts
    central maine
    Wax as a binder, or for using less power for compression?
  12. IHATEPROPANE Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 24, 2011
    800 posts
    Southern,MA
    I believe he is going by the industry definition of premium.....
    jtakeman likes this.
  13. jtakeman Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2008
    12,723 posts
    Northwestern CT.
    I have heard binder by an insider. I suppose it could ease compression or even act like a die lube. Then again what do I know! ;em

    Yep! Every pellet I have seen with or without a PFI label is rated premium! All it takes is less than 1% ash to be classified as such. Super premium is less than .5% ash.
  14. SmokeyTheBear Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 10, 2008
    11,438 posts
    Standish, ME
    All pellets are the same that is why the 2008 first run xxxs got the high five from so many people they said premium on the bag and burned just great in them Harman stoves just ask Sparky Dog.

    My bags all said premium on them, they sure burned hot, well when they weren't a glowing mass in the burn pot.

    I do hope everyone understands that the preceding statements are just drowning in sarcasm juice.
  15. jtakeman Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2008
    12,723 posts
    Northwestern CT.
    First run MWP's were nothing compared to TreeCycle and Lake Region would give them a good run for the money. ACP would make many a stove refuse to open its hopper. I have burned my share of junk(these are just a few brands)! Yep, they all said premium on the bags too! I don't dare say anything about inferno's, Some may actually like them.

    At least ScotL made some changes and is still chugging along. The others are long gone, But I'll never forget em!
  16. RightSeatCessna New Member

    joined: Oct 1, 2012
    55 posts
    Saco, Me
  17. hilbiliarkiboi Member

    joined: Sep 13, 2012
    160 posts
    HotSprings NatlPark
    What is sarcasm?
  18. SmokeyTheBear Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 10, 2008
    11,438 posts
    Standish, ME
  19. jtakeman Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2008
    12,723 posts
    Northwestern CT.
    MWP pellet are good for that price! If your stove needs a little help when its cold see list below! I think the Canawick and the McFeeters might be worth checking out. PWI impressed me very much. Really it depends on your budget.

    • Barefoot: Nice hot pellet
    • Canawick: Our friends up north(CA) say they are pretty good
    • Cubex: Nice hot pellet
    • La Crete: Word is they are pretty good
    • Maine's Choice: MWP are a better deal
    • McFeeters: Decent heat
    • Okanagan-Softwood: Nice hot pellet
    • PWI: Hot pellet as well
    • Spruce Pointe: Also a softwood: Nice hot pellet
    • Trebio: Decent heat might be a bit ashy
    • Vermont: Also a softwood: Nice hot pellet
    As always please try before you buy if at all possible!

    Attached Files:

  20. JBiBBs5 Member

    joined: Sep 8, 2011
    141 posts
    Rhode Island
    Those prices seem really high but the selection is great. I've burned Vermonts and barefoots. Both were super hot with very little ash (especially the Vermonts)

    If you're buying on a budget I would go with the MWP or green supremes for half of your supply. Either of them should be sufficient for fall and spring. Get some of the good stuff for the winter.
  21. schoondog Feeling the Heat

    joined: Aug 17, 2008
    350 posts
    dutchess county, n.y.
    Fired up must have posted somthing pretty interesting to have jtakeman make GS apremium pellet. I'm thinking about taking the ignore off and reading it. Did he hook up a auto stirrer to the rig so he won't have to break up those clinkers manually or somethin ? ahh I just can't do it.

    Schoondog
  22. gbreda Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 3, 2009
    1,202 posts
    Lakes Region, NH
    I am currently burning the MWP blend. So far, little ash, decent heat and stove is clean. $209 is a good price point for these.

    ETA: Personally, I would take the MWP over GS if price was equal. Just my 2 pennies.
    jtakeman likes this.
  23. jtakeman Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2008
    12,723 posts
    Northwestern CT.
    G, I didn't dare say that. But I thunk it! ;em
    gbreda likes this.
  24. gbreda Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 3, 2009
    1,202 posts
    Lakes Region, NH
    Hey J

    What can I say; I've used both and prefer one.

    I was away from this thread for almost a week. WOW ! Rather entertaining stuff!

    Maybe this would have helped

    [IMG]
  25. ghandy131 Member

    joined: Oct 14, 2011
    115 posts
    Central MA
    Tried GS last year and didn't like them. Tried again this year and loved them. Bought 4 ton and have had great success burning them. Low ash, no clinkers, high output temps (255 degrees at setting 7/7). Paid $188/ton at HD and the results thus far are similar to the Turmans I have and love but cost $287/ton. Will keep the Turmans for the coldest days.

Share This Page