After avoiding cherry pits for years, I decided to try them lately. I burned the pits years ago straight up, so this time I wanted to try mixing with pellets. I am really impressed with the results. I didn't like them by themselves as they were noisy in the auger of my stove. Mixing with pellets has solved this problem. So far, a 70/30 pit to pellet mixure has been good for me; this doesn't me I will stop experimenting with mixures though. I am still in the trial process. Furthermore, having cherry pits for fairly cheap-$3.40 per bag- and locally available, I am beginning to see them as a way for me to save money while continuing to stay warm. To try to be realistic about pits, I have developed a pro's and con's list for the pit.
Pro's:
Can be cheap alternative to pellets if available locally-Available bulk for $135 a ton
Clean-don't let the fly ash fool you, there simply isn't that much there when mixed, !however, this could depend upon the pellet-The pellet stove will be the judge of this.
Heat-many claim their product to be over 9000 btu-I don't know how hot they are, but I do see a noticable difference in heat!
This is a waste by-product
Con's
Awkard bags due to larger area needed to occupy 40lbs. worth of pits compared to pellets
Some say they burn faster than pellets-so far I haven't noticed this with mixure of pellets and pits-Because of the larger area the pits occupy, you may have to feed your stove more, however, it seems like you burn as much as if it were pellets-this will depend on the mixure!
limited supply depending on area and weather for the year
Mixing the pellets and pits takes more time to do than just pellets-A large plastic trash can would help with this.
Anyways, if you haven't tried pits before or want to revist the idea again like I did, mix them with some pellets and you might just find a new way to help save money and stay warm too!
Good luck
Pro's:
Can be cheap alternative to pellets if available locally-Available bulk for $135 a ton
Clean-don't let the fly ash fool you, there simply isn't that much there when mixed, !however, this could depend upon the pellet-The pellet stove will be the judge of this.
Heat-many claim their product to be over 9000 btu-I don't know how hot they are, but I do see a noticable difference in heat!
This is a waste by-product
Con's
Awkard bags due to larger area needed to occupy 40lbs. worth of pits compared to pellets
Some say they burn faster than pellets-so far I haven't noticed this with mixure of pellets and pits-Because of the larger area the pits occupy, you may have to feed your stove more, however, it seems like you burn as much as if it were pellets-this will depend on the mixure!
limited supply depending on area and weather for the year
Mixing the pellets and pits takes more time to do than just pellets-A large plastic trash can would help with this.
Anyways, if you haven't tried pits before or want to revist the idea again like I did, mix them with some pellets and you might just find a new way to help save money and stay warm too!
Good luck
