Hudson Valley NY Box Stores

[jjones139]

Hello everyone! Is it just me or do the big box stores in your area seem to only carry 1 or 2 brands of pellets? HD only has Green Supreme and Lowe's has North American, Green Team and Timber Heat. I have an Englander 25 PDV and it seems to like hardwood the best. Last season I had very good luck with Presto's and Hamers, but neither is selling them at this time. Suggestions are most welcomed at this time, thank you

 

[jack kunicki]

You're correct. I've been calling around the last couple of weeks. HD is green supreme only. Mostly North Americans at lowes. I've been watching the online inventories and there are a lot of mediocre pellets being bought up by people. I burned ptls last year and had good luck with them.

 

[velvetfoot]

What prices are you seeing?

 

[jack kunicki]

4.98/bag

 

[jjones139]

I'm seeing everything from $230 - $350 a ton! Problem is I can't find a pellet that I want to purchase and I'm not paying an astronomical amount!! Let's see what I find?!?!?!

 

[Chemistrynut]

I would suspect it's all about the pellet that offers the cheapest transport cost to the big box store. I'm in the same boat, being up near Albany..most all of the HD's and Lowe's up here have GS and North American. the one HD in Schenectady has a brand called "Superior" which I had never heard of. Both GS and North American have a pellet plant in NYS, so I had just assumed that they went with the one where shipment was cheapest. I spoke to the manager at the North Greenbush HD about the possibility of getting Stove Chows and he told me that they have no idea what is coming in..it's all determined by the home office in Atlanta, but I was told I wasn't the first one that week to request Stove Chows. He was sitting on many tons of GS.

 

[jjones139]

Yup! I spoke to the outside garden managers at both and was given the same reason. How the hell can a corporate office determine what's best for a store that's nowheres near Atlanta?!?! Tractor Supply has 100% hardwood and it their own brand. Online reviews give them a big thumbs down!! Oh well..... the hunt continues! Anyone ever use TS pellets??

 

[SwineFlue]

Yup! I spoke to the outside garden managers at both and was given the same reason. How the hell can a corporate office determine what's best for a store that's nowheres near Atlanta?!?! Tractor Supply has 100% hardwood and it their own brand. Online reviews give them a big thumbs down!! Oh well..... the hunt continues! Anyone ever use TS pellets??

Their 'Hardwood Pellet Fuel' worked great for me last season. TSC has several suppliers of their house brand pellets. These were made by Energex and have a '77220' in the bar code number on the bags. Get a couple of bags and try them out.

 

[Jason845845]

Tractor Supply in Highland had about 30 pallets of Green Supremes sitting out front last Saturday.

 

[jjones139]

So did every HD in the HV! Apparently GS is the pellet of choice at this time for all of the area HD stores!! Anyone every burn Instant Heat 100% hardwood??

 

[Edward Hughes]

Yup! I spoke to the outside garden managers at both and was given the same reason. How the hell can a corporate office determine what's best for a store that's nowheres near Atlanta?!?! Tractor Supply has 100% hardwood and it their own brand. Online reviews give them a big thumbs down!! Oh well..... the hunt continues! Anyone ever use TS pellets??

I have the same problem in Md. Divison Mgr. would not return calls, Store mgr no help. Ass. mgr no help no call back.
Lowes, does try with some help from those of us, that burn pellets. Do a mileage check for them, and show them why pellets or not all the same. How much ash, how much
heat, You may be surprised, how much they do care.

 

[Bowhunter1]

I would suspect it's all about the pellet that offers the cheapest transport cost to the big box store. I'm in the same boat, being up near Albany..most all of the HD's and Lowe's up here have GS and North American. the one HD in Schenectady has a brand called "Superior" which I had never heard of. Both GS and North American have a pellet plant in NYS, so I had just assumed that they went with the one where shipment was cheapest. I spoke to the manager at the North Greenbush HD about the possibility of getting Stove Chows and he told me that they have no idea what is coming in..it's all determined by the home office in Atlanta, but I was told I wasn't the first one that week to request Stove Chows. He was sitting on many tons of GS.

thats funny, i stop there at the same store almost weekly to see what they have, same response you got, i did notice alot of the pallets in the back already had names on them. they must of been talking about me asking about the stove chows hahahaha

 

[Chemistrynut]

I noticed something similar at the Lowe's in Delmar when I went there. Lots of pellets outside around the side of the building with names on them..checked the outside tag..all North American. That's funny..I'll bet you were the one they were talking about.

 

[Edward Hughes]

I noticed something similar at the Lowe's in Delmar when I went there. Lots of pellets outside around the side of the building with names on them..checked the outside tag..all North American. That's funny..I'll bet you were the one they were talking about.

This is my 20th year for pellets. I have been able to help with the pellets in our store, and hope that helps
those that use them.

 

[bschrager]

Local Lowes only has North American, anyone with experience burning them?

 

[jjones139]

I'm looking for some help In the Hudson Valley, NY we have been flooded with the following pellets at HD and Lowe's:
North America, Cheat River, Timber Heat, Green Supreme, Nature's Own, Green Team...... Blah Blah Blah! My head is swimming after reading GOOD / BAD reviews and Green Team is outta the question. I'm kinda leaning towards Cheat River or Timber Heat???? HELP PLEASE Last year I was happy with Hamers $300 a ton this year and Presto's, which I cannot locate now. Thanks

 

[Jason845845]

There is a place coming out of Newburgh on 9w near Balmville selling pallets of Hamer's, they are outside, I'm not sure of the name of the place but you can't miss them. Also, I just ordered 2 tons of Hamer's from Green Heat in Stone Ridge. I burned a couple bags of the Timber Heat and they burned hot, but it was Ashfest 2014.

 

[jjones139]

I called there and they are $300 a ton?!?!?! I just want to make the right decision and I don't think Hamers for $300 is worth it even though they are a very good pellet!!

 

[Jason845845]

It's going to be cool this weekend. Head over to Lowe's and grab a bag of the Timber Heat, if you can deal with the ash, you're all set @ $239!

 

[jjones139]

Has you or anyone tried Cheat River or Stove Chow?

 

[Chemistrynut]

Really like Stove Chows. They are rebagged Energex hardwoods. I burned them last season for a time. Good heat, better than most in their price range and moderate ash. As some have already said, if you clean your stove a couple times a week, the ash isn't a problem. I am currently on the prowl for them now (are you listening, Atlanta? ). Never tried Cheat River, so I can't comment on those. The Lowes in Latham NY had them last year, but I didn't bite. Went with Greene Team instead.

 

[jjones139]

How about Timber Heat?

 

[Chemistrynut]

I burned a few bags of the Timber Heat last year as well. As I remember, nothing special..not great, not bad. The results may be different in your stove, just remember that. I'm using a Harman P68, and they seemed to put out fairly decent heat, but a decent amount of ash as well. If I was in a pinch, I'd burn them again but I probably wouldn't go looking for them specifically. I'm trying to remember who re-bags them...I want to say Dry Creek, but I could very well be wrong on that.

 

[jjones139]

Hmmm, I guess I will keep searching! We don't have too much of a good selection around here and I'm NOT paying $299 a ton for Hamers from a local stove shop I also found Instant Heat at Tractor Supply??? Oh well the hunt continues

 

[Jeneral22]

Yes, I remember seeing the Dry Creek being rebagged as Timber Heats... I burned them as my shoulder pellet last year. I used the Prestos during the mid season. The Timbers are OK, ashy but, burn decent enough. As was already mentioned I would search them out. I fell in love with the Hamers but, I can burn the stove higher with a cheaper pellet and still come out ahead.