Help for New Stove Owner in Southeastern PA: can I find softwoods around here?

[Bryan Sacks]

Hi everyone,

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I had a Hampton GC60 installed this summer to wean us off of oil heat (actually, trying to make a clean break). We have a 4BR twin home about 2,000 sq. ft, with stacked floors around a central staircase. It's supposed to get colder this week (thought not really cold), so I want to get a bit ahead of things.

After disliking the big box pellets I tried first, I sought out Hamer's which I like much better, and bought my first ton. But reading reviews, I'm extremely curious to try softwoods - Spruce Pointe, Vermont, Okanagan, any of the top varieties really.

But I can't find them anywhere around here. In fact I can't find any softwoods at all. I've heard rumors of an Energex softwood, but so far no can find.

what's he Southern-most point I can find a softwood? Is it just too costly to have a couple of tons of ultra grade softwoods shipped from NY? Will anyone do it?

Any tips for best operation or things to look out for about my stove greatly appreciated as well.

 

[tjnamtiw]

Down here in Georgia, there are pines every where. Most are being either turned into MDF building boards in local factories or pellets for export to Europe. My Greenways are oak.

 

[john193]

None around here. There was a random place in jersey selling Okies for 309 a ton but with access to good quality hardwoods in my area it is hardly worth the time or money. It would not pay you to ship softwoods from upstate NY area. But anything could be had for a price...

 

[tjnamtiw]

Of course, as most here probably know, when I see someone from SE Pa, I scold them that they haven't done their homework on the new breed of coal stoves.

http://www.leisurelinestoves.com/
http://www.keystoker.com/
(broken link removed to http://www.readingstove.com/heating-stoves/coal-stoves/)
http://www.alaskastove.com/

Almost twice the btu/ton that pellets have. Same or better efficiency. Not any dirtier, despite the old wives tales from days gone by, if handled properly. Can store coal outside with no worries. (wetter is better). Same price per ton as pellets or even cheaper if you go to the breaker to get it.
AND most models are capable of putting out twice the btu's of pellet stoves of same size.

BUT if you're a tree hugger and want to save the planet instead of your family's budget, that's another story.

(just in fun and also for the 'next guy' who's researching alternate fuels)

 

[rayttt]

http://www.woodpellets.com
has a softwood pellet for like $309 a ton.

 

[tjnamtiw]

http://www.woodpellets.com
has a softwood pellet for like $309 a ton.

IMHO the high cost is a reflection of the decline of the value of the dollar on world markets. As I said, down here Europe is buying all the softwood pellets with 'useless' dollars so why should the manufacturers charge us a lower price than they can get from Europe. Thank Uncle Ben for that one! And of course those who continue to back him.

 

[Bryan Sacks]

Thanks everyone for the replies. That Cleanfire premium softwood from woodpellets.com is sold out, though a lesser variety is available. Might just give it some time until my Hamer's run low. Really like them.

@TJ: very interesting to learn about coal stoves. Don't know if it would have been an option for me since a woodstove wasn't; we live in an old house and have a chimney path that's too narrow for a woodstove liner. Imagine it's similar for coal?

and yeah, I am a bit of a treehugger (ironic term for someone burning wood pellets!), but not to the point that I'm averse to individual families burning coal in their homes.

 

[tjnamtiw]

Thanks everyone for the replies. That Cleanfire premium softwood from woodpellets.com is sold out, though a lesser variety is available. Might just give it some time until my Hamer's run low. Really like them.

@TJ: very interesting to learn about coal stoves. Don't know if it would have been an option for me since a woodstove wasn't; we live in an old house and have a chimney path that's too narrow for a woodstove liner. Imagine it's similar for coal?

and yeah, I am a bit of a treehugger (ironic term for someone burning wood pellets!), but not to the point that I'm averse to individual families burning coal in their homes.

10-4. The new coal stoves can use a horizontal path straight through the wall using a power vent, which creates a negative pressure on the burn chamber just like a flue would do.
From Keystoker > 'All Keystoker Automatic Stoves, Koker Furnace, and K2, K-6 Boilers can be direct vented, using our own made venter. All electrical components are located inside the home, safe from exposure to outside elements.'