I have used 3 bags of light colored pellets with lots of fines and have just opened the 4th bag and it is quite dark in color with almost no fines. Which is better?
Dark Pellets vs. Light Colored Pellets, Help
- Thread starter sydney1963
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
- Status
Just different types of wood was used to make them. Lots of fines could be the result of how they were handled prior to your purchase. I have seen no correlation between the color of the pellets and the amount of fines in the bags.
Taking a drive by Energex's Mifflintown, PA plant one can easily see 7+ different sawdust piles that vary greatly in color, so it is easy to see how you could buy 1 brand and get two different colors. Especially this year, pellet mills have been taking whatever they could find due to some regional sawdust shortages. The Hamer's Hot Ones I have this year are a lot lighter in color than the Energex's, but they are both hardwood. I do prefer the Hamer's, but not sure if the color of the pellet has anything to do with it.
As far as heat output, I can't comment as I don't have a thermometer and my preference towards how the Hamer's burn over the Energex could lead to imaginations.
As far as heat output, I can't comment as I don't have a thermometer and my preference towards how the Hamer's burn over the Energex could lead to imaginations.
It must not have anything to do with the color as I have just the opposite situation.
My dark colored pellets are OHP Ozark Hardwood Products out of MO. These things are dirty. We empty them into buckets outside and there is a lot of dust. When we empty them again in the stove there is still way to much dust. They burn fine and I have had no stove problems, but man are they dusty.
My light colored pellets are Granules De Bois out of Canada. Both pellets are premium quality but these light ones are awsome. They burn well and we have no dust at all. Its incredible to see the difference between the two.
If I can avoid it in the future there is no way I want those OHP ones again.
My dark colored pellets are OHP Ozark Hardwood Products out of MO. These things are dirty. We empty them into buckets outside and there is a lot of dust. When we empty them again in the stove there is still way to much dust. They burn fine and I have had no stove problems, but man are they dusty.
My light colored pellets are Granules De Bois out of Canada. Both pellets are premium quality but these light ones are awsome. They burn well and we have no dust at all. Its incredible to see the difference between the two.
If I can avoid it in the future there is no way I want those OHP ones again.
mostly hardwoods are a darker color than the softwoods.
Lower grade pellets have a higher percentage of Bark in the blend which darkens the color
Lower grade pellets have a higher percentage of Bark in the blend which darkens the color
GVA said:
Which brings up the point that the Pellet Fuels Institute's "Premium" rating doesn't give you a true indication of what to expect. I have yet to see a standard grade pellet, but I've burnt some pretty crappy premium grade ones.
crappy premium are still better that standard grade IMHOBubbRubb said:
If you ever burn them you'll see what I mean, the amount of ash produced is amazing.....
If the pellets have the member of pellet fuels institue label, they should be better pellets than ones that just say premium.
But then again I don't think there is any accountability for people selling fuels that don't match the guidelines.
Are you burning Penningtons by chance ? I have 2 tons of penningtons and 1 ton is light colored and has alot of fines and saw dust and the other ton is dark and almost no fines.
My stove burns thru both equally well so I have not bothered calling the company.
bill
My stove burns thru both equally well so I have not bothered calling the company.
bill
Only difference is how much ash - up tp 3% for standard grade pellets (vs. <1% for premium).BubbRubb said:
Starspiker,
Mine are the same way half light with lots of fines (very dusty and have to sift or vac them) and half dark colored with almost no fines. Can't see a difference in the burn rate, heat output or ash yet. I will let everyone know once I have burned a few of the dark ones.
Mine are the same way half light with lots of fines (very dusty and have to sift or vac them) and half dark colored with almost no fines. Can't see a difference in the burn rate, heat output or ash yet. I will let everyone know once I have burned a few of the dark ones.
I've seen something similar. Also, more than 90% of pellets produced are Premium grade. Even a lot of bulk (for industrial furnaces) is Premium grade now - once a company gets premium-capable in terms of manufacturing it's easier to make them all that grade than some premium & some standard based on market - if you can burn standard you can burn premium.MrJitters said:
So I have burned a whol bag of the darker colored pellets (with less fines than the lighter colored ones) and here is what I have found:
Slightly more ash and I have finally seen my first clinker
Seems to burn as hot
Just letting you know.
Slightly more ash and I have finally seen my first clinker
Seems to burn as hot
Just letting you know.
I got some freedom fuel pellets from HD. They are lighter than the Nature heat. The NH had more fines but had a lot less ash. Freedom fuel seem to light quicker but burn faster.
Very interesting to note everyone's different experiences. I just started burning my first few bags of NEWP hardwood after burning about 20 bags of Lignetics hardwood.
The NEWP are MUCH lighter in color than the Lignetics, but after burning a few bags, I have noticed much more ash build-up, and for the first time, ash is building up on the edges of the burn pot.....never had that with the Lignetics.
Also, this may be just my imagination, but it seems the Lignetics put out more heat for the same setting on the stove. I was running on heat setting #2 with the Lignetics, and now have to raise it to 3 to get the same temp in the room....and yes, the outside temps are about the same.
The NEWP seem to start and burn well, but more (and clumpier)ash, and seemingly less heat per pound.
Just thought I tell the forum my experience so far.
The NEWP are MUCH lighter in color than the Lignetics, but after burning a few bags, I have noticed much more ash build-up, and for the first time, ash is building up on the edges of the burn pot.....never had that with the Lignetics.
Also, this may be just my imagination, but it seems the Lignetics put out more heat for the same setting on the stove. I was running on heat setting #2 with the Lignetics, and now have to raise it to 3 to get the same temp in the room....and yes, the outside temps are about the same.
The NEWP seem to start and burn well, but more (and clumpier)ash, and seemingly less heat per pound.
Just thought I tell the forum my experience so far.
- Status
Similar threads
