top 2 pellets
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There are a couple of places in my area that are going on a "avoid and recommend against" list based on recent performance.
Favorites: No brand loyalty here. Whatever is cheapest and available. So far nothing has refused to burn.
Have only ever used Barefoot... 6 years 4-5 ton a year
Seriously considering changing though...
this year they are burning o.k. but the black ash is horrible...
Normally only have to empty ash can once per ton ... this year it is every week !
Also the ash build up on the flame guard & burnpot has to be chiseled off twice a day and the back wall is covered by the end of the day ! Never have I had carbon build up on the flame guard until this year... it actually comes off in chunks like coal and like I said that is with cleaning it every morning and evening... horrible...
so I am very interested in the results of this thread for this coming years purchase ;-)
Seriously considering changing though...
this year they are burning o.k. but the black ash is horrible...
Normally only have to empty ash can once per ton ... this year it is every week !
Also the ash build up on the flame guard & burnpot has to be chiseled off twice a day and the back wall is covered by the end of the day ! Never have I had carbon build up on the flame guard until this year... it actually comes off in chunks like coal and like I said that is with cleaning it every morning and evening... horrible...
so I am very interested in the results of this thread for this coming years purchase ;-)
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Very interesting. I am new to burning pellets and bought a half ton of barefoot this year on some recommendations noting consistency etc. I would echo you exactly as the black ash I found was being produced was out of line with the impression I had from other folks.
I recently completed burning the barefoot and shifted to Turman. I've found them to be better on ash and cleanliness of the majority of the burnpot. The exception would be that over the typical evening burn by morning when I come downstairs there are two build up spots of harder ash deposit on the sides of the burnpot which are easy to scrape out. Turman burns cleaner, seems a little hotter. The pellets are much different, longer and slightly browner than the barefoot pellets.
I bought five bags of Bear Mountain to test yesterday...at $5.79 a bag at Wilco! Seems to be the most expensive pellet I've tested, I've just had the stove a few weeks. Not impressed with Bear Mountain at all. The pellet size is all over the place. Most are over an inch in length with many over 2" and the rest small crumbles and wood shavings. Bear Mountain and Golden Fire are about the same in my opinion, inconsistent pellet size and doesn't burn as hot as Pacific or Packsaddle. However due to the long pellet length these pellets seem to last longer than a more consistant short pellet. I can't justify in my mind the premium cost of Bear Mountain and Golden Fire unless I can find a good deal and burn them in warmer weather. I'd rather deal with all the clinkers with the cheaper Blazer pellets. Packsaddle has less fines and ash than Pacific both being similar in heat output.
Turmans are my favorite, but pricey. AWF's and Lignetics are a close second. I burned AWF's last winter with good results and am close to finishing up my third ton of Lignetics this winter, and they have performed great.
Tested both awf hardwood and ligs this year. I'd say they both were not great. Lots of ash but both heated the house
I would have been 1 of those folks singing the praises of Barefoot but certainly not after this years 5 ton
...Burned a few bags I had from my intentional over purchasing of previous years ( better known as my stash ) just to see they are night and day on ash & carbon build up ... so it has nothing to do with the weather , stove or anything else ... simply crappy pellets...
I have not seen Turmans for sale anywhere in Central PA. but I am certainly going to search for them come the spring...
Thanks for sharing your results
![[Hearth.com] top 2 pellets](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/129/129577-1e425626ce1240a47997a876b263938f.jpg?hash=m1bCnSGg5N "[Hearth.com] top 2 pellets")
Bear Mountain around here is $6/bag or $289/ton right now. I just found 8 tons of Packsaddle for $220/ton. What does it cost in your neck of the woods? I can get Pacific for $269/ton, but I'm thinking I am going to buy the 8 tons and call it a year.
![[Hearth.com] top 2 pellets](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/129/129610-e289436e13a5d8ea1ffcc5e8ae959ee0.jpg?hash=xjUe26FarI "[Hearth.com] top 2 pellets")
Turman do look a little on the long side and I think today a couple of the longer pellets bridged the bottleneck leading to the auger. I'll see how frequently that occurs. Took a stir of the pellets in the hopper and flipping the stove to test then back to feed 6 and it resolved itself and was shifted back into the nights settings. Will keep you posted. Turman still hotter and cleaner burning than this years Barefoots.
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