Finally, something "new" to burn

[Augmister]

My stash of Green Team from last year is down to the last dozen bags and I am not about to employ the Barefoots and the Somersets...yet. So, I needed to find a ton of shoulder pellets to burn now and at the end of the season. I got a "tip" from a fellow Hearth.com poster that the Fireside Ultras were back in stock. I burned two tons last year (liked them better than the GT) and stayed with the shoulder pellets as the season was warm. Yesterday, I called around to the local HDs within 30 miles and learned that "Stove Chow" was on the menu. Been wanting to try these for three years but they were not available, with the locals stocking Penningtons, Nations Choice and a list of others that most would pass on. Headed over to my nearest HD and they had open tons of "Stove Chow" @ $209/ton $4.18/bag. Grabbed 10 bags and headed home. Did my first 1 Ton cleaning for this season and started on the first bag. Noticed much less fines in the bag than the GT. Wife has commented that she thinks the room is warmer, too. Waiting to see the ash in the pot after a few cycles. Will either grab a ton of these or the FSUs. Wish I had room for three tons at these prices.

 

[DexterDay]

I'm still waiting on some Chow too. There were reports further West of me? Which is confusing. But... Oh we'll.

Let us know your thoughts. Seems to be a decent pellet when they can be had cheap.

 

[subsailor]

Noticed much less fines in the bag than the GT. Wife has commented that she thinks the room is warmer, too.

One of the things I have always liked about the GT's is there's very little if any fines in the bags. Also, they're known to be a fairly hot pellet. So what you are describing is just the opposite of my experience with them.

 

[Augmister]

One of the things I have always liked about the GT's is there's very little if any fines in the bags. Also, they're known to be a fairly hot pellet. So what you are describing is just the opposite of my experience with them.

I have been burning the GT on an off for the last 4-5 years and I noticed the fines more in what I bought last year and am burning now. I have been burning them in the house and the end of last years FSUs in my other stove above my garage. Last year's GTs were not as good as I have had in previous years. Ash was about the same, heat a little less. Heat slightly better with the FSUs but much more ash. (Both stoves Quad Castilles, one vents straight out through a wall, the other via a 3' stove pipe with a 45 degree elbow into a chimney.) Bottom line, at $209/ton, I'm warm and heating for the winter for less than $700.... priceless!

 

[mithesaint]

I'm still waiting on some Chow too. There were reports further West of me? Which is confusing. But... Oh we'll.

Let us know your thoughts. Seems to be a decent pellet when they can be had cheap.

Home Depot in Sandusky had a pallet or two of the Chow about two weeks ago. Mostly AWF though. The Chows were outside under wraps.

 

[Augmister]

I have burned 1.5 bags of the Stove Chow and we are very impressed with the heat. I have a Castille and usually burn on medium when at home for the day. I did have more ash (and heavier) than when burning the Green Team. Today, I am burning on high to see what happens to the ash content and if the pellets burn more efficiently. I will trade a bit more ash for heat any day, at $209/ton. I am going out in a few minutes to grab 5 bags of this year's "vintage" of FSU, which are now plentiful here in RI. Which ever is best, I will grab a ton. We have snow scheduled for Saturday, 3-6 inches, and it looks like the Farmer's Almanac is spot on with our weather prediction. The FA had us mild through Christmas, and they all hell breaks out with snow and cold for the rest of the winter in Southern NE.

 

[subsailor]

I have been burning the GT on an off for the last 4-5 years and I noticed the fines more in what I bought last year and am burning now. I have been burning them in the house and the end of last years FSUs in my other stove above my garage. Last year's GTs were not as good as I have had in previous years. Ash was about the same, heat a little less. Heat slightly better with the FSUs but much more ash. (Both stoves Quad Castilles, one vents straight out through a wall, the other via a 3' stove pipe with a 45 degree elbow into a chimney.) Bottom line, at $209/ton, I'm warm and heating for the winter for less than $700.... priceless!

That could explain things. My GT's are from either early last yesr or the year before.