General difference in heat ouput from different pellets

[relxn88]

First, let me say that I've always had a heat probe in the output duct of my stove. I burned pellets 24/7. I adjust the damper for the most amount of heat output temperature(NOT HOW THE FLAME LOOKS). I'm just going to make a general statement and not be specific about any particular pellet. On my stove, the cheaper pellets versus the high end Douglas fir pellets run 10 to 20+% less heat temperature output at low, mid, and high. So, let's say the high end pellets cost $360, then @ 20% less heat (20% of $360 = $72) the lower end pellets shouldn't sell for more than $288. You can by a lot of different pellets for $288 or less. So, why would I buy the high end pellets? In my case, the low end pellets couldn't keep my house heated on the real cold nights. The high end fir pellets can. I keep a ton of the high end pellets for the very cold nights.
That was, until this year, because, I'm only using the stove in the evening this year (due to low price of oil), It looks like I don't have to buy any high end pellets for next year.
It'll be interesting to see where the price of pellets is at next fall.

 

[rich2500]

buy and burn what works best for you,I can heat my house on the coldest nights no problem with the cheaper pellets so that's generally what I buy, a lot of us don't have a place local to buy the top of the line pellets, I know I gotta drive at least an hour one way for top of the line hardwood or softwoods excluding my local Agway which I refuse to buy from.

 

[Ranger72]

I am done with cheap pellets. Even though I've had good luck with the heat output of certain 'cheap' brands, Stove Chow and Fireside Ultra come to mind, I had become tired dealing with the ash.

 

[Tonyray]

I am done with cheap pellets. Even though I've had good luck with the heat output of certain 'cheap' brands, Stove Chow and Fireside Ultra come to mind, I had become tired dealing with the ash.

Same here.....
plan on getting Top softwoods this spring...
had enough of the Ashy stuff for 3 yrs...

 

[bogieb]

buy and burn what works best for you,I can heat my house on the coldest nights no problem with the cheaper pellets so that's generally what I buy, a lot of us don't have a place local to buy the top of the line pellets, I know I gotta drive at least an hour one way for top of the line hardwood or softwoods excluding my local Agway which I refuse to buy from.

I'm pretty much with you there Rich. In my case, there are cheaper pellets I won't buy again, but can usually get decent pellets at BBS. I have gotten FSU's, Pres-to's and a few other mid-grade pellets from them. Locally, it is NEWPs (for way more $$ and no better in my experience anyway). I still have to drive 30 miles to a BBS (but since I work within a mile of one, and 3 miles of another, it isn't a hardship). I could find some of the really good stuff in areas that I haunt but at the prices they want, it isn't worth it to me - for the reasons the OP states. Also, I've gotten my last 8 tons from BBS at not only good prices, but with free delivery, so it is a win-win for me.

I have travelled for some pellets because they were on sale and it broke out that between the sale price and my gas, I spent about the same amount as I would have for the BBS stuff (so worth it in that instance). If really good stuff would come down a bit, I would like to get a couple of tons because hey, it would be nice not to have quite as much ash

 

[Tonyray]

I'm pretty much with you there Rich. In my case, there are cheaper pellets I won't buy again, but can usually get decent pellets at BBS. I have gotten FSU's, Pres-to's and a few other mid-grade pellets from them. Locally, it is NEWPs (for way more $$ and no better in my experience anyway). I still have to drive 30 miles to a BBS (but since I work within a mile of one, and 3 miles of another, it isn't a hardship). I could find some of the really good stuff in areas that I haunt but at the prices they want, it isn't worth it to me - for the reasons the OP states. Also, I've gotten my last 8 tons from BBS at not only good prices, but with free delivery, so it is a win-win for me.

I have travelled for some pellets because they were on sale and it broke out that between the sale price and my gas, I spent about the same amount as I would have for the BBS stuff (so worth it in that instance). If really good stuff would come down a bit, I would like to get a couple of tons because hey, it would be nice not to have quite as much ash

Presto logs and AWFWP are the only 2 that I would buy at HD [Too much ash with Stove chows.].WHEN AND IF THEY ARE THERE..
Winter of 2014 1 Tractor load of Blazers came to HD here at same price as other stuff.. 249.00. talk about a Score..!
bought 30 bags right there even though I had no more room in my basement which was full with 5 tons.

 

[Cabingirl]

My eyes glazed over at what you guys cited for premium pellet prices. Geez, $200-240/ton for premium Ponderosa Pine or Douglas Fir pellets is the going rate from my little, informal survey. But then I saw that you're on the East Coast so they're coming cross-country to you. Are there far fewer softwood pellet manufacturers in the East?.

 

[Bioburner]

Its probably more people using them. Some users are getting soaked for propain at almost three time what gas goes for here in the midwest

 

[Cabingirl]

Understandable. Propane/gasoline aren't bargains on the West Coast because there aren't many refineries and such. Then there are the regs. I'll leave it at that, lol.

 

[TLHinCanada]

We're $5.99 plus 13% tax for pellets. Never complain because it's still cheaper then propane or oil most years..

 

[Tonyray]

My eyes glazed over at what you guys cited for premium pellet prices. Geez, $200-240/ton for premium Ponderosa Pine or Douglas Fir pellets is the going rate from my little, informal survey. But then I saw that you're on the East Coast so they're coming cross-country to you. Are there far fewer softwood pellet manufacturers in the East?.

All douglas firs here on the East coast are pricey.. Blazers, Okanagan firs etc....
but hardwoods here are much cheaper....

 

[alternativeheat]

Indigenous to our east coast area are Spruce, Maple, Oak, Poplar and White pine. So common here is a blend of hard and soft woods, some of which burn quite hot and fairly clean. Others dirty. All cost less than western Douglas fir.

 

[MadMax31]

Hamers and Barefoots burn hottest in my baby. Having said that, I havent used them much this winter. They just bake us out. Curran Blends burn kinda cold, but enough to keep house 68-70 degrees. The ash is the trade-off for comfort. The hotter pellets tend to be less ashy and require minimal cleanup. After two winters, were zero'd in on the Lignetics being our daily burner. Comfort and less cleanup.

 

[alternativeheat]

FSU here, at least this year, came out of Canada, look like a blend and have burned quite hot and not bad on ash at all. I've used them in past years and not thought much of them but we got a good batch this year. I say they have worked for me is all !!LOL. Just Sayin.