Stove Chow, Prestologs, Hamers Hot Ones observations

[msh227]

I know there are plenty reviews out there but I just want to share some observations.

So last season I burned Stove Chow from local HD and liked them better than the Cheat River at Lowes.

This year my first ton was Chow again but this past week I went back for more and noticed my HD is out of chow and has Prestologs so I bought 5 bags.

The first thing I noticed was how dark the prestos are compared to stove chow. Also the prestos pellets are much smaller than the chow pellets. After burning 4 of the 5 prestos bags my stove has not jammed once. It is a different story with the stove chow pellets. They are super long and I have had constant jams throughout the whole ton.

Today I stopped in at my local Lowes and noticed they are selling Hamers Hot Ones. I have read reviews and heard all the hype so I figured why not try some. I'm burning my first bag as I type so we will see how they fair but first thing I noticed again is that the pellet sizes are very similar to the prestos so I'm assuming I will have good luck with minimal to no jams.

As far as heat differences I can't tell and I don't have a thermometer to measure. As long as stove is burning my house stays warm.

Anyways just my $0.02. So far I'm happy with Prestologs over Stove Chow and more to follow on the Hamers.

Matt

 

[Madcodger]

Have had great success with Hamer's and actually very happy with Presto.Wish that was what I could find at my Lowes!

 

[PoopieBritches]

I know there are plenty reviews out there but I just want to share some observations.

So last season I burned Stove Chow from local HD and liked them better than the Cheat River at Lowes.

This year my first ton was Chow again but this past week I went back for more and noticed my HD is out of chow and has Prestologs so I bought 5 bags.

The first thing I noticed was how dark the prestos are compared to stove chow. Also the prestos pellets are much smaller than the chow pellets. After burning 4 of the 5 prestos bags my stove has not jammed once. It is a different story with the stove chow pellets. They are super long and I have had constant jams throughout the whole ton.

Today I stopped in at my local Lowes and noticed they are selling Hamers Hot Ones. I have read reviews and heard all the hype so I figured why not try some. I'm burning my first bag as I type so we will see how they fair but first thing I noticed again is that the pellet sizes are very similar to the prestos so I'm assuming I will have good luck with minimal to no jams.

As far as heat differences I can't tell and I don't have a thermometer to measure. As long as stove is burning my house stays warm.

Anyways just my $0.02. So far I'm happy with Prestologs over Stove Chow and more to follow on the Hamers.

Matt

I'm surprised to hear that you are experiencing auger jams, you mean literally locking up the auger?
I try pretty much any pellet I find, and have not had any auger jams. Sometimes the pellets will cause some "moanin n groanin" but never a jam.
Running a PDVC in house, one in garage.
Seems to be a lot of inconsistencies with the stove chow to me, I too have had to suffer thru a couple tons of what I call "bad chow". However, when they're good, I don't think there's a better pellet for the money (that I've found locally anyway)
I too have been pretty happy w/Presto's. Little ashy, but good heat, and consistent sizing.
Love to find some Hamer's to try for a reasonable price,$300 a ton around me, not reasonable IMO.

 

[mass_burner]

Can't get somerset anymore. I tried green supreme which were fine, but I am trying nations choice. Any thoughts on either of these brands?

 

[PoopieBritches]

Limited experience here, second season burning pellets. Personally have tried both Green Sukpremes and Nations Choice. Bad and worse. Just not sure which I'd call bad, and which is worse. Just my .02
Your results/opinions may vary.

 

[nick123]

First year burning..I've tried a million different brands...best so far is press-to-logs..They burn hot..I've been picking them up at k-mart for 4.29 a bag when i can get them..this week a put a whole pallet on lay away, till I can get a truck to pick them up..

 

[DV]

Ive burned all. The biggest difference for me is the hammers have by far the least amount of fines/dust. And far less ash. Hamers are 25 bucks more a ton for me. I just bought a ton of the hamers.

 

[bosshog919]

Prestos are a REAL good pellet!!

Burn Baby Burn

 

[lbcynya]

Prestos are a REAL good pellet!!

Burn Baby Burn

Wellllll, depends on your perspective. This is the first year I burned Presto's (have 3 tons) and, compared to my secret stash of 2011 Somersets, the Presto's SUCK. Not flaming you, just have a different experience. I get about 25% longer burn time out of a bag of Somersets and the ash is almost nonexistent. With Presto's I have to clear the pot twice a day to prevent ash from virtually extinguishing the flame. Also, the Presto's are very dusty. I bought them because the reviews seemed ok, but, based on my experience I'll look elsewhere or pay the long dollar for Somersets from a supplier that's fairly far away.

I've never burned Barefoots, but they have to be better than Presto's, no?

Have also burned Cubex, Hamers, Pro Pellet, Magic Spark, Uncle Jeds, Freedom Fuels, Curran and a few others I can't think of. Somersets have been the best of the bunch relative to duration and ash.

 

[bosshog919]

Wellllll, depends on your perspective. This is the first year I burned Presto's (have 3 tons) and, compared to my secret stash of 2011 Somersets, the Presto's SUCK. Not flaming you, just have a different experience. I get about 25% longer burn time out of a bag of Somersets and the ash is almost nonexistent. With Presto's I have to clear the pot twice a day to prevent ash from virtually extinguishing the flame. Also, the Presto's are very dusty. I bought them because the reviews seemed ok, but, based on my experience I'll look elsewhere or pay the long dollar for Somersets from a supplier that's fairly far away.

I've never burned Barefoots, but they have to be better than Presto's, no?

Have also burned Cubex, Hamers, Pro Pellet, Magic Spark, Uncle Jeds, Freedom Fuels, Curran and a few others I can't think of. Somersets have been the best of the bunch relative to duration and ash.

PTLs are REAL gud for wht they are... They are no barefoot or hamers...no flamin here bro..it's all good!

 

[STANG32]

ok, as for smaller pellet goes, the smaller the pellet the more pellets will fall with each turn of the auger
the more pellets that fall into the pot, the highter the flame/more heat
now that being said, if more pellets are burned each time the auger turns, the faster the supply will be depleted
so if you get that 12hours out of a bag of stove chow, you will only get 8-10hrs out of the hammers
I bought hammers my second year of burning, it was hot in my house but I had to feed the stove more often

 

[Tonyray]

ok, as for smaller pellet goes, the smaller the pellet the more pellets will fall with each turn of the auger
the more pellets that fall into the pot, the highter the flame/more heat
now that being said, if more pellets are burned each time the auger turns, the faster the supply will be depleted
so if you get that 12hours out of a bag of stove chow, you will only get 8-10hrs out of the hammers
I bought hammers my second year of burning, it was hot in my house but I had to feed the stove more often

That makes sense to me..

 

[lightyear]

I had prestos last year and was very impressed. They had very little ash. This year, it is a different story. Lots of ash. I scrap the burn pot 2 or 3 times a day easy. I also have to empty the ash pan 1x a week to ten days. Last year it was once every 3 weeks.

 

[Madcodger]

I had prestos last year and was very impressed. They had very little ash. This year, it is a different story. Lots of ash. I scrap the burn pot 2 or 3 times a day easy. I also have to empty the ash pan 1x a week to ten days. Last year it was once every 3 weeks.

I have been a big fan of Hamer's and they're still my favorite pellet, but I'm noticing a bit more ash than the first season I used them, four years back. Pellets are longer as well. It's not to the point I have a complaint, but they're not as amazing as before.

I have to say that the Presto's I've burned this year are impressive for the price, and might give Hamer's a run for their money next year. Only slightly less heat, about the same ash (possibly less, but it's close) and fewer fines, surprisingly. I wonder if we're seeing different results due to different plants? My biggest complaint with Presto's is the cheap bags, which tear more easily (and might be the deal breaker - if they read these forums, please take note).

As I think about it, there are reports lately of Hamer's at Lowes. I wonder if they're trying to "dial in" a product that they can afford to sell at the box stores but that still retains their primary attributes? I heard they closed the Mt Hope plant, so I was surprised that they had enough inventory to ship to the box stores.

 

[Phoenix Hatchling]

It seems as if there is a common thread regarding pellets. From budget to big name/high dollar, pellets appear to burn more ashy this year. I have noticed this as well, excepting for the Lacretes. One note of observation is that the majority of these claims are from pellets which originate east coast. Is it possible that this is a function of hurricane Sandy, and/or the soaking wet conditions of last fall and winter? It seemed excessively more damp and moldy than any other year I can remember, and recall the outdoors even smelled of mushroom particularly when traveling in a car.

Perhaps it's like a vintage of wine, and fluctuates with the growing/harvest conditions. If this is in fact so, next years pellets should be phenomenal, as the nice dry breezy fall kept everything bone dry. We shall see, but my prediction is stellar pellets straight across the board for next year!

 

[Madcodger]

One note of observation is that the majority of these claims are from pellets which originate east coast. Is it possible that this is a function of hurricane Sandy, and/or the soaking wet conditions of last fall and winter?

I've no idea whether you're right or not, but it's a brilliant observation. I just assumed a bit more bark being allowed in to cut costs, but your suggestion is a good one. And while many pellet co.'s claim to avoid reclaimed lumber / debris as a source, I've found occasional pieces of coloring in some pellets that are clearly not from within a tree (wood). Makes one wonder. Have not seen that in Hamer's, but in some box store pellets.

 

[Augmister]

If the pellets are indeed more ashy, perhaps the manufacturers have either found a cheaper source for their raw materials OR have changed the way they are making pellets, based on their costs. Follow the money, it is always about the money.

 

[jjones139]

I'm relatively new to this site, but I wanted to share my experience with certain brand pellets. I've tried NEWP, Stove Chow and Greene Team and they were hot, but too ashy! North American and Green Supreme gave off limited heat! Just today I sold 1.5 tons of Greene Team to a friend and traded for 25 bags of his Somersets, which he did not like. I then took the money and went to HD and bought a ton of Prestologs! Over the last 2 weeks I've burned many bags of Presto and I gotta say I was highly impressed with the heat and low ash. This Tuesday I'm getting a ton of Hamers and will have to see how they rate. I agree not all stoves perform the same with certain pellets. I am thankful to have so many on this site that share their personal opinions with their pellet experiences.

 

[Augmister]

I'm relatively new to this site, but I wanted to share my experience with certain brand pellets. I've tried NEWP, Stove Chow and Greene Team and they were hot, but too ashy! North American and Green Supreme gave off limited heat! Just today I sold 1.5 tons of Greene Team to a friend and traded for 25 bags of his Somersets, which he did not like. I then took the money and went to HD and bought a ton of Prestologs! Over the last 2 weeks I've burned many bags of Presto and I gotta say I was highly impressed with the heat and low ash. This Tuesday I'm getting a ton of Hamers and will have to see how they rate. I agree not all stoves perform the same with certain pellets. I am thankful to have so many on this site that share their personal opinions with their pellet experiences.

What brand is your stove and how long has it been in service?

 

[jjones139]

2 months with an Englander 25 - PDV.

 

[msh227]

I haven't checked the forum in a little while. To follow up from original post, I am pretty happy with the Hamers that I got at Lowes. I wish I would have bought a ton. Just picked up a ton of Fireside Ultras at Home Depot. They had the standard Stove Chow but wanted to try something different since I stated my issues with my 1st ton of Chows this year. Looking closer at the Fireside Ultra bags they say Premier Pellets Co just like Stove Chow but the Fireside Ultras are a Canadian product where the Stove Chows are from PA. Two companies both called Premier Canadian and US plants? Or completely different brands? I haven't burned the Firesides yet.

Also earlier in the week I picked up two bags of Lignetics on an emergency basis and man do I like those pellets. They are the first pellets I burned in the stove but lowes and home depot dont carry them, and I wont stray away from the two because I wont get my 10% discount.

If I had to pick my favorite this season it would be Prestologs or the Hamers.

 

[P38X2]

I think Premier Pellet Co is Energex, US and CAN.

 

[jjones139]

I haven't checked the forum in a little while. To follow up from original post, I am pretty happy with the Hamers that I got at Lowes. I wish I would have bought a ton. Just picked up a ton of Fireside Ultras at Home Depot. They had the standard Stove Chow but wanted to try something different since I stated my issues with my 1st ton of Chows this year. Looking closer at the Fireside Ultra bags they say Premier Pellets Co just like Stove Chow but the Fireside Ultras are a Canadian product where the Stove Chows are from PA. Two companies both called Premier Canadian and US plants? Or completely different brands? I haven't burned the Firesides yet.

Also earlier in the week I picked up two bags of Lignetics on an emergency basis and man do I like those pellets. They are the first pellets I burned in the stove but lowes and home depot dont carry them, and I wont stray away from the two because I wont get my 10% discount.

If I had to pick my favorite this season it would be Prestologs or the Hamers.

I concur with you about the Prestos and Hamers. Although I was concerned about the ash issue first with the Hamers, I was able to adjust the low burn air, which help tremendously with the ash issue. Hamers are Holy Living Hell HOT Prestos are an all around very good choice too. I have about 80 bags left between both and I hope to make it thru. Pellets are running scarce around our area!! Happy burning

 

[msh227]

Same here. Multiple Lowes stores are down to partial pallets, TSC was completely out, and luckily my home depot just got a shipment and they had about 20 pallets

This ton should be all I need for rest of season, unless the bitter cold comes back.

 

[Coronacross]

Same here. Multiple Lowes stores are down to partial pallets, TSC was completely out, and luckily my home depot just got a shipment and they had about 20 pallets

This ton should be all I need for rest of season, unless the bitter cold comes back.