Best softwood pellets for this year???

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rdubs20

Member
Nov 2, 2014
185
Northern NY
Hello,

I've been burning some hardwoods the last couple of years and last year I got a lot of ash with them. What are some good softwoods available around Northern NY? I was using Waldroff's pellets but I wasn't pleased last season. Maybe I got a bad batch, but they were not very hot and lots of ash. I'm talking clean your stove at least once a day kinda ash and my glass would be dirty within a few hours of cleaning. What's everyone using out there?
 
I have the Gnome stove...was wondering which type of pellet to burn with this particular model?? Used a hardwood, once, broke my auger....I've used a "blend" the last few years...not bad....reluctant to use a soft wood pellet....(possibly something I heard)...but read recently that a soft wood pellet burns hotter and much less ash??? Does anyone know this for a fact?? I'll take any thoughts...thanks so much!
 
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rdubs20 said:
Hello,

I've been burning some hardwoods the last couple of years and last year I got a lot of ash with them. What are some good softwoods available around Northern NY? I was using Waldroff's pellets but I wasn't pleased last season. Maybe I got a bad batch, but they were not very hot and lots of ash. I'm talking clean your stove at least once a day kinda ash and my glass would be dirty within a few hours of cleaning. What's everyone using out there?
Click to expand...

I have only burned a couple of seasons. Only quality softwood in my Ravelli as recommended. Have used LeCrete, Okanagan and Inferno Gold. All burned equally well. The inferno was significantly less expensive at $199 a ton the end of last season. I will continue burning the Infernos at the start of this season. Big Y is selling the Inferno Golds at $249 a ton at this time. I will try a few bags from this years offering to see if they are of the same quality. If so, I will pick up a ton or so later in the season when the price drops.
 
Not sure where you mean by northern ny but curran pellets are out of massena ny. And Vermont wood pellets are out of the Rutland vt area.
 
Luvmesomesamples said:
Not sure where you mean by northern ny but curran pellets are out of massena ny. And Vermont wood pellets are out of the Rutland vt area.
Click to expand...


Around Canton. I haven't heard to many good things about Currans the last few years. Have you used them? I heard a ton of ash.
 
rdubs20 said:
Around Canton. I haven't heard to many good things about Currans the last few years. Have you used them? I heard a ton of ash.
Click to expand...

I used a ton 4 seasons ago so not sure if they changed since then. They were hot with moderate ash. Less than typical big box blends (hammers, green supreme, prestos, new England's). The ash was the "fluffy" type (if that's a thing lol) that was easy for my Harman to push up and out of the burnpot. I have since switched to bulk delivery so haven't tried anything else since. Love softwood though!
 
Luvmesomesamples said:
I used a ton 4 seasons ago so not sure if they changed since then. They were hot with moderate ash. Less than typical big box blends (hammers, green supreme, prestos, new England's). The ash was the "fluffy" type (if that's a thing lol) that was easy for my Harman to push up and out of the burnpot. I have since switched to bulk delivery so haven't tried anything else since. Love softwood though!
Click to expand...

What are you using now if you don't mind me asking. I've been using empire from waldroffs
 
rdubs20 said:
What are you using now if you don't mind me asking. I've been using empire from waldroffs
Click to expand...
I'm fortunate enough to be close enough to Vermont to get bulk delivery of Green Mtn pellets. Its a 100% softwood that is almost identical to Vermont wood pellets. It's a newer mill located near Bennington. My delivery is through Vermont Renewable fuels who also installed my pellet boiler. I burn between 8-14 ton per year.
 
(broken link removed)
 
How could anyone know yet! We're in the mids of a summer heat-wave! ;)
 
rdubs20 said:
How much do they get a ton?
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Depends on delivery distance but $282 delivered and blown into my bin for me. Not sure about bagged.
 
Luvmesomesamples said:
I used a ton 4 seasons ago so not sure if they changed since then. They were hot with moderate ash. Less than typical big box blends (hammers, green supreme, prestos, new England's). The ash was the "fluffy" type (if that's a thing lol) that was easy for my Harman to push up and out of the burnpot. I have since switched to bulk delivery so haven't tried anything else since. Love softwood though!
Click to expand...

Well I was able to score some Curran softwoods for $225/ton. I emailed about the Vermont softies but they wanted $299. For the price difference I am going to try the Curran softies.
 
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rdubs20 said:
What are you using now if you don't mind me asking. I've been using empire from waldroffs
Click to expand...

I've been burning Empires for probably 8 years now....While not the best by any means, I find that for $249 a ton they're a good pellet and for me also a local business I'm supporting. What I REALLY wish is for someone in the Watertown/Uitca area to stock Somersets. From everything I've read and heard about them they're one of the best all around pellets.

I tried five bags of Currans a few winters ago due to being out of my usual Empire's and found them to be very sub-par. Not much heat and a great deal of sticky ash.
 
P51mustang said:
I've been burning Empires for probably 8 years now....While not the best by any means, I find that for $249 a ton they're a good pellet and for me also a local business I'm supporting. What I REALLY wish is for someone in the Watertown/Uitca area to stock Somersets. From everything I've read and heard about them they're one of the best all around pellets.

I tried five bags of Currans a few winters ago due to being out of my usual Empire's and found them to be very sub-par. Not much heat and a great deal of sticky ash.
Click to expand...

What kind of Curran's did you try?
 
Manly said:
I have only burned a couple of seasons. Only quality softwood in my Ravelli as recommended. Have used LeCrete, Okanagan and Inferno Gold. All burned equally well. The inferno was significantly less expensive at $199 a ton the end of last season. I will continue burning the Infernos at the start of this season. Big Y is selling the Inferno Golds at $249 a ton at this time. I will try a few bags from this years offering to see if they are of the same quality. If so, I will pick up a ton or so later in the season when the price drops.
Click to expand...

Inferno gold..i think i saw those at Lowes yesterday. 260 the ton, and you can buy per bag without any price increase (per bag).. i'll give those a try as Greene's team is no good for me. I am also considering Logik-e sotfwood at 260 the ton too.. except that i would not be able to buy per bag at that price...decisions decisions!

Which reminds me, i need to clean up the exhaust motor/blower and the pipes :/ oh, and buy some kit to get outside air into the burning chamber.
 
Talegas said:
Inferno gold..i think i saw those at Lowes yesterday. 260 the ton, and you can buy per bag without any price increase (per bag).. i'll give those a try as Greene's team is no good for me. I am also considering Logik-e sotfwood at 260 the ton too.. except that i would not be able to buy per bag at that price...decisions decisions!

Which reminds me, i need to clean up the exhaust motor/blower and the pipes :/ oh, and buy some kit to get outside air into the burning chamber.
Click to expand...

Let us know what you think if you try the Infernos. It has been chilly here the past couple of mornings so we were able to fire up the Ravelli. The Golds burnt beautifully. I'm hoping for 199.00 a ton late in the season at Big Y like last year. I have plenty for this season so I can hold out and look for a deal.
 
rdubs20 said:
Well I was able to score some Curran softwoods for $225/ton. I emailed about the Vermont softies but they wanted $299. For the price difference I am going to try the Curran softies.
Click to expand...


Where were you able to get that price a ton? Right from their factory or somewhere else? Thanks
 
switched over to all softwoods as I like the low ash even though i have a Harman which burns hardwoods fine but always lot of ash.
I find the softwoods ignite quicker, and the better grade leave a powdery white ash with absolutly no clinkers..
cleaning the stove was never a problem but now it takes forever for my ash pan to fill up..
burning EZblaze super premiums and left over ton of Okie Platinums..
 
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