Natures's Fuel Pellets

[pkitfox]

Just bought 2 tons of Nature's Fuel pellets (260 per ton).

Manufacturer's guaranteed analysis (PFI member)

GRADE: Super Premium
Ash: less than 1/2 of 1%
fines: less than 0.3%
Chloride: Meets PFI standards
BTU: Greater the 8300 BTU
Material: Pure Western Conifers

The company is out of Fruitland, ID. We have not burned any yet, but boy do they look nice. Color is lighter than the pellets We have used so far. The size looks about like Golden Fires, but the smell...they smell really nice. Has anyone used these? If so, what do you think?

 

[Ductape]

I hope they're better than "Nature's Heat" !!

 

[pkitfox]

I hope they're better than "Nature's Heat" !!

I guess that remains to be seen, but they are two different companies. Natures heat are 100% hardwood pellets, I believe from GA. Nature's Fuel are 100% softwood from Idaho. I don't know about pellets, but with cord wood, softwood generally has more BTU per pound because of higher resins. Aside from resin content, I believe all woods having the same moisture content are more or less equivalent in BTU content when the unit of measurement is pounds.

If a pellet burns good other than it seems to not put out as much heat as you think it should, I would guess that possibly a higher moisture content might be the culprit. Driving off moisture during the burning process takes energy, and the energy used, because of higher moisture, is wasted energy. I wonder how many complaints about pellet quality are moisture related. What difference in the way a pellet burned would a difference of 8% verses 12% make. What would be the difference in BTU input to the stove? I don't expect anyone to answer these questions, I am just wondering.