Cherry Pits at TSC

[subsailor]

I stopped by the local TSC today to see if there were any deals to be had on pellets. While there I noticed they were selling cherry pits for $6.79 a bag Why would anyone consider them for a heat source at that price?

 

[StuckInTheMuck]

How many pounds of pits in a bag?

 

[hossthehermit]

Yeah, when I switched off oil, I was hoping for corn, pits, etc., to be viable alternatives. Oh, well, maybe someday.
On another note, subsailor, your sig lists the 25 PDVC as the bad. Why? Having problems with it? Don't do what ya want it to?
Lookin' to get rid of it???? Might be interested at the right price.

 

[subsailor]

How many pounds of pits in a bag?

40 lbs.

 

[subsailor]

Yeah, when I switched off oil, I was hoping for corn, pits, etc., to be viable alternatives. Oh, well, maybe someday.
On another note, subsailor, your sig lists the 25 PDVC as the bad. Why? Having problems with it? Don't do what ya want it to?
Lookin' to get rid of it???? Might be interested at the right price.

The 25PDVC does what it was designed to do. They're well designed and easy to repair. However, with no ash pan, cleaning all the time gets to be a pain. I couldn't keep the glass clean and gave up. And they eat lots of pellets. With the Harman, I use less pellets to get the same amount of heat. Much easier to keep clean. The glass can go weeks without being cleaned. I'm happier with the Harman. Yes it was a lot of money, but I can control the heat much better with it. As for getting rid of the 25 PDVC, no, I still use it as backup. I run it on extremely cold days.

 

[imacman]

How many pounds of pits in a bag?

40 lbs.

Way too expensive.

 

[bbfarm]

$4.95 a bag here in WI.

The dealer said they burn pretty hot, but that is about the same price as a bag of pellets.

I figure if we get despriate we can raid the farmers corn fields.....

 

[StuckInTheMuck]

I figure if we get despriate we can raid the farmers corn fields.....

Doesn't that sometimes lead to lead poisoning?

 

[imacman]

I figure if we get despriate we can raid the farmers corn fields.....

Doesn't that sometimes lead to lead poisoning?

:lol:

 

[martyinmi]

Many folks around here burn cherry pits. They produce about 800 more btu's than pellets, and around here are about the same price($210.00/Ton) They don't make "clunkers" like shelled corn does. Google "Michigan Cherry Pit Recyclers" to watch a quick video.

 

[imacman]

Many folks around here burn cherry pits. They produce about 800 more btu's than pellets, and around here are about the same price($210.00/Ton) They don't make "clunkers" like shelled corn does. Google "Michigan Cherry Pit Recyclers" to watch a quick video.

Much more ash though, I would imagine. Not sure that 800 more btu's makes up for the price that is approx $2.50 more per bag. A ton would cost well over $300.

 

[KodiakII]

Up here they sell wood pellets at around the market price, but they are way out to lunch on their corn! Guess the same person must do the pricing for cherry pits.

 

[Wooden Head]

Here, the local pellet seller has cherry pits for $199. a ton. I've also seen in the local shopper a classified ad for $150. a ton.

 

[Fsappo]

How many pounds of pits in a bag?

40 lbs.

Isnt a great deal. I burned them in an AES Countryside stove and they didnt heat any better than the crappy PA Pellets I was burning back then.

3 bucks a bag, I'd mix em with my Curran Softwoods

 

[mlarson]

My dealer here in Central PA sells cherry pits in 1 ton super sacks only. They are usually 50.00 a ton less than pellets. But require more work since you need to break down that 1 ton super sack. I bought them once. Burn very hot but also burn up very quick compared to pellets. I mixed pits/pellets 50/50 and that worked wonderful.

 

[1Dtml]

For those in the know, do you need a different venting type to burn the cherry pits, or will the pellet type work without hyper corrosion?

Thank you,

1D

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

For those in the know, do you need a different venting type to burn the cherry pits, or will the pellet type work without hyper corrosion?

Thank you,

1D

You need multi-fuel rated venting.

 

[1Dtml]

For those in the know, do you need a different venting type to burn the cherry pits, or will the pellet type work without hyper corrosion?

Thank you,

1D

You need multi-fuel rated venting.

Thank you Smokey,
I have ICC EXCELPellet , and it does say it is good for all agricultural products including corn, so I'm good to burn cherry pits.

1D

 

[1Dtml]

I picked up some of these at TSC yesterday for some testing for future reference.
I've starting mixing these in with pellets, and have found they do have a cherry like smell while burning (on the inside of the house), and have added some heat to my North American pellets.
I have just thrown in some scoops, and do not use a specific ratio, and to my surprise thus far everything is burning cleanly and without needing any tuning adjustments.

A couple of things: The pits in the bag smell like dirt, not like cherries, and I have not gone outside to smell the exhaust as of yet (others have reported the exhaust smells like dung), so I can't speak to a different exhaust smell. There is occasional pop sounds from the agitator rod crunching the pits. I have not cleaned the stove since starting to mix these in, so I'll update if there is anything notable.

At the current price of $6.79 per bag in my area most would buy Oakies for less, but I'm one that loves to try new stuff with an eye to what I can burn in the future.

;-P

1D

 

[1Dtml]

Skippy approved blend ;-)

 

[Outerlimits]

TSC wants $6.79 for #40 bag in MI too. I bought pellets for $3.85 a bag. I would only consider burng pits again if they were considerably less money than pellets. Cheapest I have seen the pits is $150 a ton. Even at that price, I am not temped. Pellets can be found for $175 a ton. Not worth the savings due to pits being dirtier than most pellets.

 

[1Dtml]

Wow, MI is home to 75% of cherry production, is it not?
TSC is charging $6.79 in MI as well, I figured it would be less due to shipping to the east coast??
FWIW, I went to the Triple D cherry website, and according to them the only bulk ship the dried cherry pits in barrels, so TSC or someone else is bagging these up.
If I lived close to the plant and wanted to save money I think I would buy from the plant by the barrel, for I bet that would save $$$.

1D

 

[bbfarm]

Our volunteer at work said his friend has a pellet stove in his cabin and burns nothing but cherry pits.

He owns a cherry orchard and they return all the cherry pits to him.

now that is a sweet deal!

 

[1Dtml]

Dried cherry pit burning update:
My best mix for adding heat is about 10% cherry pits to 90% pellets, and this adds heat to the pellets without having to tune for a clean burn.
I personally don't like a higher ratio than this for the cherry pits make a loud popping sound going through the auger, and when the agitator rod activated.

A higher ratio than the 10% may or may-not produce decent heat, but because I didn't bother to tune the stove for the higher ratio to get a clean burn I can't confirm this, yet I will tell you that left as is the heat dropped off dramatically.

I didn't notice any positive or negative results as far as cleaning the stove, and there was no extra ash or carbon build up to be found.
The outside exhaust smelled stronger than with burning just pellets, but not like dung as some have reported (although the pellets smell better alone in mho).

For me dried cherry pits are not worth buying unless at a far cheaper rate than pellets, but I have learned that dried cherry pits can be a viable option if needed.
I will use these at the low ratio to add some heat to pellets that need some, but for now these are just taking up valuable space in my stash. :shut:

1D

 

[PoolGuyinCT]

4.59 @ tractor supply. so i grabbed a bag.. cut it, went to let my barking schnauzers in, sack turned on its side BOOM 40 pounds of pits rolling on hardwood floor... sucked them up with dirty shop vac and through them out.... oh well