Newbie pellet questions...how to buy and how much?

[Cheeks]

Hi, I just had a GCI60 (Enviro55) installed and now I need some pellets. I've perused a bunch of threads but I'm not even sure where to start.

Besides price, what are some attributes to look for in pellets? I saw something about ash%?

How much do most people burn in a season? I'm in MA, have about 3000 sq ft house, oil heat, and a wood burning stove on the other end of the house that we would probably use on the coldest days.

1 ton? 2 tons?
How many tons come on on pallet?

Thanks for any info!

 

[WKB]

I'd buy the best pellets you can afford: those being lowest in ash and highest in BTUs. I've found that you often can get a better BTU/price with a higher-end pellet, even though they cost more. Higher BTUs means more thermal energy. Less ash means you clean the stove less and keeps the stove in good working order--definately worth it to pay more, in my opinion.

How much you use will likely depend on your quality of insulation and where the stove is placed. If you're using the stove for supplemental heat, then 1-2 tons is probably fine. If it will serve the house more than that, 3-4+ tons is probably a good estimate. If this will serve as your primary source of heat, then 5+ tons is my guess, based on my use. Most pallets contain 1-1.5 tons.

 

[Utilitrack]

Try a few bags of many different kinds before you buy tonnage, what works for some people with diffrent stoves, layout etc. may not work ideally for your circumstance. I prefer Canadian softwoods, but others prefer hardwoods and hardwood blends. Trying some out in your application is the best bet. Good luck!

 

[jtakeman]

Personal preference seems to be more importent to most. The CGI60 will about burn dirt if need be, So don't be afraid to try what ever is available in your area. Get a feel for whats available and go with the best you can afford. If your frugal, You might even find a dandy of a pellet in the low dollar price range if you look hard enough. A tip is box stored deals happen once the season starts. Pellet house deals usually happen preseason. Some times they will have a sale in April to empty the previous seasons supply making room for the Spring shipments. Another tip is always be on the look out for a bargain. You really never know what you might stumble upon.

Quantity will depend on your squarefootage(3000) and some variables. If you have some more info like the amount of oil used, We can get ya close. In other words we need more data to offer anything for ya. But remember, What you don't use this season will still be fine next.

I have just onder 2K sqft and I use approx 3.5 tons per season. A quess at yours would be 5 to 6 tons if you only use the pellet stove. Wood stove would ofset some of your pellet usauge

A pallet of pellets is 1 ton(2000 pounds).

 

[briansol]

IF the pellet stove is going to be primary, you'll easily cook through 4-6 tons in a 3k sq ft house in a season. I use about 3-3.5 in my 1900 sq ft'er.

 

[mepellet]

I've found that you often can get a better BTU/price

Really? I have always found the opposite. Would you share your numbers & findings?

 

[iceguy4]

another way to get an idea is ...1 ton of pellets = 120 gallons of oil...

 

[imacman]

3-4 tons to be safe.

 

[DexterDay]

How much wood do you have? How long has it seasoned? How large of a wood stove? And only on the coldest days you'll use it?

I'd run both and save money on pellets? But that's only if you have a bunch of wood, that's a couple yrs old, and can get it cheaper than pellets.

That stove will burn the most garbage pellet out there. But, the lower BTU pellets will need to burn more, or on a higher level, to get the same heat output as a higher BTU pellet.

When I used just pellets, I used around 4 ton. The last 2 yrs I have burned pellets and wood, and only use around 2 ton. But I burn about 3 cord a year.

 

[WKB]

Really? I have always found the opposite. Would you share your numbers & findings?

Hopefully this presents well from my spreadsheet . . . The delta price is compared to the "premium wood pellets", which are hardwood, high ash, low BTU.



Price per Ton BTU per pound Delta BTU BTUs per Ton Price per BTU Delta Price
Premium Wood Pellets $229.90
Homestead Premium Pellets $249.90 7750 0 15500000 1.61226E-05 0%
Cleanfire Hardwood $259.90 8080 4.3% 16160000 1.60829E-05 -0.2%
LG Granules $269.90 8190 5.7% 16380000 1.64774E-05 2.2%
Cleanfire Pacific (4/3/12) $274.90 8800 13.5% 17600000 1.56193E-05 -3.1%

 

[mepellet]

Hopefully this presents well from my spreadsheet . . . The delta price is compared to the "premium wood pellets", which are hardwood, high ash, low BTU.



Price per Ton BTU per pound Delta BTU BTUs per Ton Price per BTU Delta Price
Premium Wood Pellets $229.90
Homestead Premium Pellets $249.90 7750 0 15500000 1.61226E-05 0%
Cleanfire Hardwood $259.90 8080 4.3% 16160000 1.60829E-05 -0.2%
LG Granules $269.90 8190 5.7% 16380000 1.64774E-05 2.2%
Cleanfire Pacific (4/3/12) $274.90 8800 13.5% 17600000 1.56193E-05 -3.1%

You have no data on the Premuium Wood Pellets other than $229.90/ton.

Even at 7500 BTU/# (probably lower than what they actually are) they are the best deal in your list @ $1.53266E-05 per BTU.

 

[WoodPorn]

I am also in MA, have a ~3k sq ft and use wood (4-5 cord) as my primary and pellets. I run an Englander PDVC and still kill about 2-2.5 ton.

I would start with 2 ton and keep your eyes open to your usage

 

[Cheeks]

Thanks for all of the replies. Based on the input I'm going to raise my estimated purchase amount from at least 2 tons, to maybe 4 (I saw one place nearby that gives a discount for 4 tons). I'm hoping to find free delivery.

My stove retailer recommended the following:
Use only premium pellets, which they define as: <1% ash, <300ppm sodium, <.05% fines. After some quick internet browsing, i'm not seeing much data on sodium and fines.
I'd prefer to pay a little more for less ash and higher BTU.

 

[WoodPorn]

Good choice on the tonnage..even if you don't burn 'em this year. Don't get too hung up on tech specs as results will always differ from installation to installation. burn a bag or two and get your own results.

DO NOT BUY INFERNO'S

 

[subsailor]

My stove retailer recommended the following:
Use only premium pellets, which they define as: <1% ash, <300ppm sodium, <.05% fines.

Pretty much every pellet made will fit that description. Most people on this site will tell you that pellets with 1% ash are junk. Look for <.5%. The Premium label means nothing.

 

[WKB]

You have no data on the Premuium Wood Pellets other than $229.90/ton.

Even at 7500 BTU/# (probably lower than what they actually are) they are the best deal in your list @ $1.53266E-05 per BTU.

Ah ha! Yes, I made a mistake. The calculations are with respect to the Homestead Pellets. I don't believe I had data on the lesser brand. Therefore, it seems to me that the higher priced pellets have a better price/BTU ratio than any of the others in the list, with less ash.