Light Pellets/Dark Pellets

[Kindle]

I have burned 6 different brands of pellets this winter and have noticed that some manufacturers pellets are light and some manufacturers pellets are dark. I have even seen light pellets in one bag and dark pellets in a different bag from the same manufacturer. Why are some pellets light and some dark ? Is it the wood type that is used ?

 

[sinnian]

Wood, but also the die cut. The MWP Softwood which are pine are dark due to the die cutter. Ever see a dark pine board?

 

[briansol]

softwoods are generlaly lighter, hardwoods darker too.

 

[subsailor]

Any bark in the pellets will also darken them up.

 

[hossthehermit]

The light colored ones are for burning at night, and the dark ones are for daytime. They show up better that way, so you can see how full yer hopper is ......

 

[MCPO]

The light colored ones are for burning at night, and the dark ones are for daytime. They show up better that way, so you can see how full yer hopper is ......

That makes sense ! It should have been obvious .

 

[DexterDay]

Lots of variations. Even batch to batch from different manufacturers.

My Presto Logs are as dark as Coal, almost But they are by far the darkest pellet I have seen.

Then, Pine bedding pellets are at the other spectrum. They are almost white.

So it's all in the Fiber, it's quality, and additives (bark, dirt, sand, etc) and the die speed, temp, and if any lube is used.

 

[Kindle]

Thank you for the responses. Very informative.

 

[DexterDay]

Here are a few specimens

 

[ivanhoe]

let's raid dexter's stash, i'll lead the charge

 

[Kindle]

That sample on the top left looks like a bag of pretzel sticks !

 

[Pellet-King]

yea, those long ones would mean a real low fire on a lower setting for me...hear the auger grind!

 

[smoke show]

...and if any lube is used.

any particular flavor you prefer?

 

[iceguy4]

On our tour of vermont pellet factory, the mill was sut down for maintinance i presume...we were there when he fired it up. The pellets were quite dark from sitting in the hot die. they seemed to lighten up as it ran. anyone else on the tour remember?

 

[DexterDay]

any particular flavor you prefer?

Strawberry is my Fancy

Or 3-n-1 Blue Bottle . All depends

 

[Dinger]

Here are a few specimens

View attachment 97289

Running low-ish here. I could use some of those.