TSC pellets

[Hoot23]

I picked up 5 bags of these on Monday because I was out. They are burning really well. Great heat and average ash. I think they are Maine Woods. I've tried the MWP before and I didn't like them at all. This time around I'm impressed.

 

[ttdberg]

Good to hear. I stopped at TSC this weekend and glanced at the TSC branded bags they had out by the door. Hoping to see some MWPs some day, so I can give them a shot. Usually all they carry are the re-bagged energex, but I did not recognize the UPC on these. So I picked up 5 bags and found out when I got home, they are Appalacians. I burned a ton of these the first or second season I got my pellet stove. If memory serves, they were middle of the road. Of note, the local TSC has increased their price. $4.38 last year, $5.09 now. Suspect it will drop back down in the fall.

 

[alternativeheat]

I picked up 5 bags of these on Monday because I was out. They are burning really well. Great heat and average ash. I think they are Maine Woods. I've tried the MWP before and I didn't like them at all. This time around I'm impressed.

I've found their hardwood pellets to be very good, the blend they can keep. I'd buy a couple of tons of those hardwoods though. My local store is done bringing them in for this season and at that one store clerk told me that TSC as a company was looking to do business with a Canadian supplier. If that occurs all bets are off for next year with me till I try them out all over again.

Meanwhile another supplier ( the cement supply company and plant I mentioned in the winter) is intending on carrying Energex Hardwood. Those give good heat at a $1 more per bag than tractor Supply charges for probably the same pellet. The same place is where I bought the LG from mid winter. I didn't find LG to be a bargain, they burn very well but you use more for the same heat quantify of La Crete or hardwoods or Spruce Point. I'd rather burn one of those brands or types of pellets and get the little bit more mileage they offer per bag. They all heat the house though ! I think La Crete is a very good example of a good mid road pellet. I'd take a couple of tons of those too, followed by Spruce Pointe as far as soft wood mixes goes anyway. I burned the most of those and Energex Hardwood over the winter. I'm on Energex Softwood right now ( yes still burning here on Cape Cod).

 

[Phoenix Hatchling]

Bought three bags yesterday. Worst I have ever seen in my life! From one bag I sifted approximately 3-4 cups of dust. Things were black as coal and burned for crud. Not worth getting up from my chair to check the name of them, but they had an American flag on it on it and called something like Nations best or Nations Choice. They truly suck out loud.

 

[alternativeheat]

Bought three bags yesterday. Worst I have ever seen in my life! From one bag I sifted approximately 3-4 cups of dust. Things were black as coal and burned for crud. Not worth getting up from my chair to check the name of them, but they had an American flag on it on it and called something like Nations best or Nations Choice. They truly suck out loud.

Oh Yes, those suck We bought 15 bags of those and returned 10 of them, the ash was unbelievable. As you say, the worst I ever burned, the P61 would chew them up but I have no need to clean that much . But bear witness, we aren't talking about those when we mention Tractor Supply, they do sell some good pellets just not those.

 

[ttdberg]

I bet they were Nations Choice. My local TSC had them out a couple weeks ago. I read on here previously that they are related to the same company that makes Infernos. I made the mistake of buying a few bags of Infernos a couple years back. There were bits of bright green and blue material in them, and honestly I think there were more foreign objects in those pellets than real wood fiber. The awful creosote mess they left in the born pot was like nothing I have ever seen before. Never again. My stove was pissed at me for a month after that!

I'm on Energex Softwood right now ( yes still burning here on Cape Cod).

How do you like those Energex softwoods? I've been hearing we might see them around here soon, but so far nothing.

 

[alternativeheat]

I bet they were Nations Choice. My local TSC had them out a couple weeks ago. I read on here previously that they are related to the same company that makes Infernos. I made the mistake of buying a few bags of Infernos a couple years back. There were bits of bright green and blue material in them, and honestly I think there were more foreign objects in those pellets than real wood fiber. The awful creosote mess they left in the born pot was like nothing I have ever seen before. Never again. My stove was pissed at me for a month after that!



How do you like those Energex softwoods? I've been hearing we might see them around here soon, but so far nothing.

A bit ashy but its fluffy controllable ash. The heat is fine. The product quality seems consistent.

 

[Augmister]

Just finished the last bag of a ton of MWP I bought last April. Used for shoulder work in the fall and now am finished with them in spring. Not good for more than that.

 

[alternativeheat]

Just finished the last bag of a ton of MWP I bought last April. Used for shoulder work in the fall and now am finished with them in spring. Not good for more than that.

I've never burned those. I just read a La Crete pre order price of 354 for 1.2 ton pallets. I like La Cretes but don't know if I like them that much. Barefoot 299 a ton from the same place. 289 pre order if I remember correctly.

 

[Tonyray]

here's 3 reviews of the Same Pellets..National Choice.....From Great to not great....
Gotta be the stoves I assume?



just purchased 10 bags about a couple of wks ago and have discovered that they were the cleanist burning I have used in the last couple of years! Outside of Dry Creek pellets they have now become my favorite brand to use. I purchased the pellets at Lowes and hope they continue to carry them...

jlw...
(broken image removed)(broken image removed)(broken image removed)(broken image removed)(broken image removed) - posted on 4/21/2014 2:20:31 PM
The bag of this product is poorly labeled as "Premium Hardwood", but has a heavy smell of resin which indicates softwood. It claims less than 0.5% ash and I got 5 pounds from 15 bags, or 0.5%. So much for the "Ultra Low Ash" on the bag. Overall the pellets burned similar to six other brands I used this season when we had to get what was available. Highest ash content was 0.83 and lowest was 0.50.

Gwi...
(broken image removed)(broken image removed)(broken image removed)(broken image removed)(broken image removed) - posted on 11/24/2013 5:21:12 PM
Bought 4 tons of these at Home Depot and have been burning them for about 6 weeks and these are by far the worst pellets that I have used over the 6 years I have been burning pellets. Very dirty, lots of ash, low heat output and they smell like they have a solvent in them. Stay away from these pellets.

 

[Papelletman]

I purchased 1Ton of the Nation's Choice from Lowes this Spring. The only other pellets I can compare them to are the Hamer's. Heat from Hamer's was 15 degrees higher than Nation's Choice using same stove settings. The NC are labeled as hardwood but do smell weird, they have low fines and low dust, but alot of ash!

Bottom line is that I do not think I will purchase these again, unless they were the only one available.

I am looking at a place that sells and delivers Barefoot pellets.

 

[Tonyray]

I purchased 1Ton of the Nation's Choice from Lowes this Spring. The only other pellets I can compare them to are the Hamer's. Heat from Hamer's was 15 degrees higher than Nation's Choice using same stove settings. The NC are labeled as hardwood but do smell weird, they have low fines and low dust, but alot of ash!

Bottom line is that I do not think I will purchase these again, unless they were the only one available.

I am looking at a place that sells and delivers Barefoot pellets.

By a Landslide, The Better Choice..

 

[Papelletman]

By a Landslide, The Better Choice..

No doubt, only bought them to try in the shoulder season. I see you use Energex, how to you like them? The place I will be going to also sells them and they are about what I paid for the NC.

 

[Phoenix Hatchling]

I purchased 1Ton of the Nation's Choice from Lowes this Spring. The only other pellets I can compare them to are the Hamer's. Heat from Hamer's was 15 degrees higher than Nation's Choice using same stove settings. The NC are labeled as hardwood but do smell weird, they have low fines and low dust, but alot of ash!

Bottom line is that I do not think I will purchase these again, unless they were the only one available.

I am looking at a place that sells and delivers Barefoot pellets.

My dogs kibble burns hotter than these (Nations Choice) do.

 

[Tonyray]

No doubt, only bought them to try in the shoulder season. I see you use Energex, how to you like them? The place I will be going to also sells them and they are about what I paid for the NC.

My dealer sells the 2 Energex Hardwoods..
Don't think he ever got the Canadian Softwoods..
The regular Premium hardwood are very very hot..Ashy but soft/fluffy type.
The Golden Premium Pellets are Less than 0.5% Ash and can only be purchased certain time of the year.
Once winter starts, cannot get them again till spring/summer.
Certain special sawdust they claim..like certain Lager beers that only surface certain time of the yr due to production.

 

[alternativeheat]

My dealer sells the 2 Energex Hardwoods..
Don't think he ever got the Canadian Softwoods..
The regular Premium hardwood are very very hot..Ashy but soft/fluffy type.
The Golden Premium Pellets are Less than 0.5% Ash and can only be purchased certain time of the year.
Once winter starts, cannot get them again till spring/summer.
Certain special sawdust they claim..like certain Lager beers that only surface certain time of the yr due to production.

Of the Energex hardwoods I've only burned the premium, never had a chance for the Gold ( actually haven't seen the Gold around here). The Premiums burn fine in my P61 , a bit more ash than I care for but they burn pretty hot so I can live with the ash.

I'm curious about the Barefoot, I saw an ad for them at $299 a ton. It looks like their standard price and 10 off for early buy. Same place has La Crete.

 

[Tonyray]

Of the Energex hardwoods I've only burned the premium, never had a chance for the Gold ( actually haven't seen the Gold around here). The Premiums burn fine in my P61 , a bit more ash than I care for but they burn pretty hot so I can live with the ash.

I'm curious about the Barefoot, I saw an ad for them at $299 a ton. It looks like their standard price and 10 off for early buy. Same place has La Crete.

Barefoots are a top Pellet .
.some of the top of the line pellets are smaller in size and more of them leave the chute to fill the burnpot therefore producing lot of heat although not necessarily meaning a hotter pellet
[as advertized].
always a debate goes on here about that.

 

[Pete Zahria]

Near the end of the season, I was trying different pellets, monitoring heat and ash.
I did the same exact thing for each bag. Cleaned the stove exactly the same way..
This is what I got from LaCretes, LG, and Great American from Tractor Supply.
L to R
Ash
0.95oz 1.05oz 2.9oz
~triple the ash on the GA!

Dan

 

[Hoot23]

Good info Pete. I think the TSC brand I have is Maine Woods. They are burning pretty good. The Lg and LaCretes look to be about the same in ash. I like both of those brands.

 

[alternativeheat]

Near the end of the season, I was trying different pellets, monitoring heat and ash.
I did the same exact thing for each bag. Cleaned the stove exactly the same way..
This is what I got from LaCretes, LG, and Great American from Tractor Supply.
L to R
Ash
0.95oz 1.05oz 2.9oz
~triple the ash on the GA!

Dan
View attachment 132670

I'm with Hoot23 on the LG and La Crete, though I think the La Crete has a slight edge which would be consistent with your findings. Both exceeded performance of TSC but they were not bad pellets either ( the all hardwoods, the soft they can keep). I think my stove consumed a few less La Crete over LG in a given time period under steady conditions as well. But both burned fine ultimately. Considerably more ash in the TSC brand, IMO too, which actually is consistent with the packaging statements..

My surprise disappointment of this winter in pellets was Okanagan Platinum, my stove just gobbled those up and they were loaded with fines . For a premium pellet at a dealers premium price I didn't care for those, I actually would prefer TSC hardwoods to those. Though there is more ash.

I have three bags of Energex Premium Softwood left, we are down to burning a bag every two days here on Cape Cod. This might do it. If we buy another ten bags I'll just hold on to them for cool evenings I think. Or I just may wait for next years stock to start showing up and begin buying by the ton then.

 

[nailed_nailer]

Alternativeheat,

Next year get a hold of some Vermont's and you will be happy.
Very much worth the $275 or so price per ton. Even better if cheaper.

BTW, I'm in Mashpee and burn about 4 tons a year.
Usually a ton of shoulder stuff fall/spring. And 3 tons of quality pellets for heating season.

Live on the southern end of a large pond so a Northeast wind sucks the heat out of my house.
Always looking for a deal.
---Nailer---

 

[alternativeheat]

Alternativeheat,

Next year get a hold of some Vermont's and you will be happy.
Very much worth the $275 or so price per ton. Even better if cheaper.

BTW, I'm in Mashpee and burn about 4 tons a year.
Usually a ton of shoulder stuff fall/spring. And 3 tons of quality pellets for heating season.

Live on the southern end of a large pond so a Northeast wind sucks the heat out of my house.
Always looking for a deal.
---Nailer---

Ah yes, you must be on Mashpee/Wakeby, Santuit or Johns pond then, those are fairly large.

Tell me, where do you buy Vermonts on or near cape Cod ?

I'm in Sandwich right on 6a, the north northeast winds are off the bay as you know.

 

[nailed_nailer]

J&S Trucking in Berkley usually has them.
Their website,
(broken link removed to http://www.pellets-r-us.com/products.html)

Always treated me great.
Pickup only.
I make the trip 3-4 times a year
About 45 minutes from me.

I work on 6A in Sandwich at the Chainsaw/Lawnmower shop across from the Beehive Tavern
---Nailer---

 

[alternativeheat]

J&S Trucking in Berkley usually has them.
Their website,
(broken link removed to http://www.pellets-r-us.com/products.html)

Always treated me great.
Pickup only.
I make the trip 3-4 times a year
About 45 minutes from me.

I work on 6A in Sandwich at the Chainsaw/Lawnmower shop across from the Beehive Tavern
---Nailer---

Thanks !

You work at the Village Shop then or it may have had a name change by now.

 

[heat seeker]

Just picked up a few bags of these at TSC. Good heat, low ash, $5.09/bag. I like them!