Maine Woods Pellets -Update please

[bobforsaken]

Greetings all.

I bought a ton of Okies with my stove this year and so far I've been nursing the stash. I'm looking to purchase another ton or two and I have a few questions.

I want to support the Maine manufacturing economy with so many ppl losing jobs, so I'd leaning towards Maine Woods Pellets, but in my research on this site I'm having difficulty sifting through those who hate them from bad experiences last year and the good experiences some have experienced since the improvements to their manufacturing. So here is the question...

With MWP purchased recenly ( summer 2009 or later) what has your experience been?


I also have a few small questions as a newbie...

Are "Athens" pellets just MWP from the Athens plant?

Anyone have recent experiences with Corinth Pellets?

I don't want to pay for delivery of Pellets and I have a dealer for Corinth and Athens 2 miles from my house. Will a Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4 be safe to handle a ton of pellets for that short distance? anyone with experience doing this? I know its a half ton PU, but how much can I REALLY put in the bed.

 

[Kittery]

...Anyone have recent experiences with Corinth Pellets?

I just finished burning one ton of the Corinth Pellets over this past weekend that were purchased last August. I have never used them before, and my over all impression is that they may not be the best pellet out there, but they are pretty good. There seems to be a bit more ash then some brands, but they burned clean and hot in my St. Croix. I didn't find any clinkers, or any other buildup in the burn pot. I already had three tons of LG's in the garage when I got the ton of Corinths, so now I'll be using the LG's. I would not hesitate to buy the Corinth pellets again.
Good Luck! :coolsmirk:

 

[blanc12]

I have used Corinth Pellets and have 2 tons of them this year too along with some armstrong pellets. I like the Corinth pellets well enough. Last year I burned pellets from Ashland, some engergex and a couple of tons of Corinth pellets. Corinth were the best of the bunch.

 

[summit]

all of the maine pellets we have run into so far have been pretty "middle of the pack" so to speak... for my $ the canadian pellets usually can't be beat...

 

[muss]

Like most people say on here, if you can, buy a few bags to try out first. Just remember, burning with a pellet stove is like using a 'puter , sometimes it seems to have its own mind & will have you scratching your head. It's usually a learning curve. I'm on my 3rd season & still finding new things about my stove . Good luck & stick with this site . Muss

 

[Salty]

I burned a bag of Corinth to test and can honestly say I'd never buy them. Bag had so much sawdust in there I thought it was a you do it kit and I was going to have to pull out my Elmers glue :cheese:

 

[Richardin52]

I agree with bobforsaken, if I can buy Maine pellets I will, all but Athens wood pellets. Keeping my money in Maine means my money may come back to me in one form or another. That will never happen with oil or pellets from some distant place.

Just think about how many dollars went out of Maine last year just for heating oil, millions and millions if that isn't a money drain on the Maine economy what is.

 

[Al in MN]

Yes the Dodge 1500 will handle a ton for 2 miles very well ,I have done that in mine.

 

[hossthehermit]

I've burned 23 bags of the Athens so far. They burn. Heat seems OK. Ash IS on the high side. Can't say I'll miss 'em when they're gone. Would I buy 'em again? If they were $20 a ton cheaper than anything else, yes. Otherwise, probably not.

 

[maineheat]

I've burned 23 bags of the Athens so far. They burn. Heat seems OK. Ash IS on the high side. Can't say I'll miss 'em when they're gone. Would I buy 'em again? If they were $20 a ton cheaper than anything else, yes. Otherwise, probably not.

Ditto. High ash and okay heat compared with the lignetics I burned last year. But in May when I picked them up at the mill the $215 per ton compared with $280-300 from most retailers. I picked up two tons figuring I would burn them in the fall and spring if things weren't great. That said I'll soon pickup a couple of tons of Okies, Lignetics, or something else for the dead of winter.

Would I buy Maine Woods again? Definitely. The idea of keeping folks in State employed is my main driving factor. Seeing that this is only their second year in operation, they are bound to make improvements in the process.

 

[bobforsaken]

Thanks everyone. Sound like the Corinth is slightly better from what I'm hearing... And I'll be able to pick up a ton in my Truck (Thanks AL.. BTW SKOL VIKES!). I'm not really getting a great price on either $265 for Corinth and $254 for Athens. I'll keep looking for a better deal, but I like how close the dealer is and I don't want to pay for delivery if I can help it.

 

[xbillyx]

all of the maine pellets we have run into so far have been pretty "middle of the pack" so to speak... for my $ the canadian pellets usually can't be beat...

Yup, we have the good stuff up here. Eastern Embers pellets burn hot.

 

[jtakeman]

I just finished trying the MaineWoods pellets in my mini review. I was impressed at there overall improvements they have made. Leaps above there starting batches. From a almost horrid pellet to about middle of the road for both heat output and overall ash produced. Far better than the worst pellets(Inferno's) I burned this year. They left the Inferno's in the dust. If the price is right I will burn them again.

Maine Choice were slightly better in both heat and ash produced. Another decent pellet and would burn them again!

I have yet to try the Corinth pellets, So no comment for them. But I will try them someday.

 

[QuadraBurner]

Will a Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4 be safe to handle a ton of pellets for that short distance? anyone with experience doing this? I know its a half ton PU, but how much can I REALLY put in the bed.

I watched a guy load up the back of his Grand Caravan with a ton of pellets while I was picking a few bags earlier in the season. Can't say I would do that to my van, but he said he does it all the time. Seemed like a waste since the place delivers for free, but to each his own!

 

[Lousyweather]

half ton.....Honda Accord

 

[bobforsaken]

I just finished trying the MaineWoods pellets in my mini review. I was impressed at there overall improvements they have made. Leaps above there starting batches. From a almost horrid pellet to about middle of the road for both heat output and overall ash produced. Far better than the worst pellets(Inferno's) I burned this year. They left the Inferno's in the dust. If the price is right I will burn them again.

Maine Choice were slightly better in both heat and ash produced. Another decent pellet and would burn them again!

I have yet to try the Corinth pellets, So no comment for them. But I will try them someday.

I was just reading your thread on your pellet review..Its VERY helpful. Good to know about the Maine Woods pellets. I have 3 test bags of Maine Woods and I'm burning my first of 3 test bags of Corinth. I haven't found any Maine Choice as of yet.

So far I've run Okies, Ligs, and Corinth. Perception-wise, it seems the Okis and Ligs were hotter than the Corinth... As for The glass, the Ligs were very clean.. Much cleaning than the Okis and Corinth.

As for Ash.. I'm not sure. I've noticed the Corinth and Ligs had much more ash buildup in the pot as if the ash was heavier. The Okis seemed to keep the burnpot more free from ash than the Ligs and Corinth. but conversely the Ligs and Corinth had less fly ash on the sides and heat exchanger. The Okis seemed to distribute ash everywhere.


I'm Looking forward to trying my bag of Maine woods and would love to see your test of Corinth if you ever get a bag.

Keep up the good work.

 

[BJN644]

It could be tough finding Maine Choice since the plant is still off line. I got mine from TSC but I think all they have is Maine Woods and some off brand now. I know a while ago Springbrook Ice and Fuel in Waterville had Maine Choice, might be worth a try. I also agree your 1/2 ton truck can haul a ton of pellets no problem, just make sure your rear tires are inflated to the max recommended pressure.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

For Maine Choice you could try Paris Farmers Union or http://www.woodpellets4me.com/

I saw that brand on the pricing chart at the Auburn Paris Farmers Union yesterday when I picked up some scratch while heading further out route 4.

 

[bobforsaken]

For Maine Choice you could try Paris Farmers Union or http://www.woodpellets4me.com/

I saw that brand on the pricing chart at the Auburn Paris Farmers Union yesterday when I picked up some scratch while heading further out route 4.

Thanks for the tip on Maine Choice. I went to the Paris Farmers Union in Winthrop and they have only Corinth, MWP and Energex. If I don't like the Corinth or MWP, I'll look into Paris Farmers union in Auburn.

 

[morsnow]

I am almost done burning my first ton of premier pellets this year. I picked them up at lowes for 229 a ton. (still available at this pricein brewer) I will have to say I am happy with them. I have only dumped my ash pan once. I also had steve from spring brook in waterville deliver 2 tons of spruce points for 250 a ton delivered. I havent burned any yet. I also would like to buy local. I am pretty sure you can pick up pellets in athens for 220-225 a ton. This is so fustrating how they can transport and sell canadian pellets so much cheaper than local. I hope the local dealers catch on and get competetive on their pricing. I know last year you could co-op buy from corinth for around 170-180 a ton. How can they not sell these pellets for a better price. Maybe they will catch on before next season. I am hoping in the spring there will be so many pellets still around they will be trying to get rid of them-cheap.


harmon XXV
no oil burned yet.

 

[bobforsaken]

I really want to buy from a Maine based pellet company, but so far I'm pretty disappointed.

I've been burning Okanagans (that I had purchased with the stove) and like everyone else, I've been impressed with their heat. I have been a little disappointed in the amount of fines, but with no baseline to compare against, it may have been normal. The ash wasn't bad at all... I noticed that the burn pot remained mostly clean with just a small lip of ash accumulating near the edge.

I burned a bag of Lignetics and was ok with the heat.. (it was close to the Okies) but I was impressed in how clean they were. The glass barely got any soot during the course of the bag. It was noticeably cleaner than the Okies. One thing I noticed is that the burn pot of my xxv was holding a lot of ash. It was too the point that 2/3rds or the burn pot was filled with ash.

I next Burned Corinth. I was very impressed with how few fines the bag had and how solid the pellets were. I thought it was going to be a really good pellet based on the condition of the pellets in the bag. Like the Ligs, the burnpot was quickly overrun with Ash. It made me wonder if the ash was interfering with the flame. The glass was very dirty and I hadn't even made it through a bag before I felt compelled to clean. The heat was disappointing. The ash was equal to that of the Ligs after burning only half a bag. Even with the stove cranked it seemed to have a flame about half as high as the Okies. Worst yet.. when I woke up this morning the burn pot was empty and stove was off; status light blinking. I'm not sure why. I turned off the power and started the stove back up and all was fine.. but it makes me wonder if about corinth

Next up are Maine Woods Pellets from Athens. The makeup of the pellets looked identical to Corinth, but the pellets were much smaller and broken up. There were a lot more fines than with anything else I've tried. I'll have to see how it performs in terms of heat/ash/and soot.

Although I want to buy from Maine, I'm not sure if its money well spent, especially since the Corinth and Maine Woods is only about $20 dollars cheaper than the Okies. If Maine Woods disappoints I may have to look into Maine Choice as Smokey had suggested.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Hold on there Bobforsaken. I never suggested trying them I just mentioned a couple of places I ran across them.

I also haven't tried the newest MWP pellets, I did however burn 6 tons covering two different periods of the MWP and the second batch was much better than the first and from what jtakeman has posted from his tests his batch was even better than my second batch. I have 4 bags left of the MWP, 1 in the hopper and three on the floor next to the stove.

Next up is some LGs. I have a few bags of them to burn.

When I feel like playing I'll get some more brands to try and a more current batch of MWP. I too would like to support local producers, however I've done my part for the time being. If the newer ones are better I'll buy some more.

 

[jtakeman]

Hold on there Bobforsaken. I never suggested trying them I just mentioned a couple of places I ran across them.

I also haven't tried the newest MWP pellets, I did however burn 6 tons covering two different periods of the MWP and the second batch was much better than the first and from what jtakeman has posted from his tests his batch was even better than my second batch. I have 4 bags left of the MWP, 1 in the hopper and three on the floor next to the stove.

Next up is some LGs. I have a few bags of them to burn.

When I feel like playing I'll get some more brands to try and a more current batch of MWP. I too would like to support local producers, however I've done my part for the time being. If the newer ones are better I'll buy some more.

Yes STB, The newest batch is much much better. I too burned the dreaded batches in late 08 and early 09. The new are a far cry from that old stuff. Maine Choice is also a decent pellet. Just a bit better than the MWP's. But the LG's you just purchase will spoil you rotten! Going to be hard to top them. Except with maybe? Hmmmm. Better PM for details in your interested.

jay

 

[bobforsaken]

Hold on there Bobforsaken. I never suggested trying them I just mentioned a couple of places I ran across them.

I also haven't tried the newest MWP pellets, I did however burn 6 tons covering two different periods of the MWP and the second batch was much better than the first and from what jtakeman has posted from his tests his batch was even better than my second batch. I have 4 bags left of the MWP, 1 in the hopper and three on the floor next to the stove.

Next up is some LGs. I have a few bags of them to burn.

When I feel like playing I'll get some more brands to try and a more current batch of MWP. I too would like to support local producers, however I've done my part for the time being. If the newer ones are better I'll buy some more.

Sorry.. I thought you had implied that I should give them a shot since I'm looking for Maine pellets. I see now that you didn't.

Its still early in my MWP burn, but although I was disappointed in the condition of the pellets and the amount of fines, so far they are burning better than the Corinth. Glass is only getting about as dirty as it did with the Okies.. The ash in the burnpot I had experienced with Lignetics and Corinth doesn't seem to be quite as bad.. and the heat is ok.

 

[mjbrown]

i have been burning both the corinth, and maine woods. i am happy with both of them. the corinth's seem to throw a bit more heat, but they both work for me. i burned mwp last year as jay did... 6 ton, 3 at the beginning of the season and another 3 in the middle. the second batch was MUCH better than the first, and the 09-10 breed seem to be much better still. i will invest my money(what little there is) in the maine made products.

i bought 10 bags each of the penningtons , and the bayou's from home depot...i wont do that agin. ALOT of fines and not much heat from either brand.

mike