What does this mean...

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Bigjim13

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Jan 5, 2009
588
Central Vermont
I was looking at pellets today at a local stove shop and they had some pellets that were 80% hardwood and 20% soft. The person at the shop stated that I would get a little more ask over 100% hardwood. Is that all there is to it?
 
What brand pf pellets were they?

More ash, Maybe? It all bepends on the stove and how the stove is set up. My stove may run them fine and your stove may hate them.

You could always try a few bags before you bought them. Always best to try before you buy.

I have burn 100% softwood and softwood/Hardwood mixed pellets with no issues. It really all bepends on the stove and settings. I have found the softwoods generally produce a little more heat but burn slightly quicker!

jay
 
jtakeman said:
What brand pf pellets were they?

More ash, Maybe? It all bepends on the stove and how the stove is set up. My stove may run them fine and your stove may hate them.

You could always try a few bags before you bought them. Always best to try before you buy.

I have burn 100% softwood and softwood/Hardwood mixed pellets with no issues. It really all bepends on the stove and settings. I have found the softwoods generally produce a little more heat but burn slightly quicker!

jay

What do you mean by the settings? This is my first year with a pellet stove so I am a bit of a novice. We bought the Harman P61A and it has run great. I did get a bag to test, the store gave me one before I commit to buying next years pellets.
 
Bigjim13 said:
What do you mean by the settings? This is my first year with a pellet stove so I am a bit of a novice. We bought the Harman P61A and it has run great. I did get a bag to test, the store gave me one before I commit to buying next years pellets.

Your damper and feed settings. I am not really familiar with the Harman's. But there is usually a air adjustment on the stove. More ash will burn richer so we usually add a little more air to clean up the burn. Kind of like adjusting a carburetor on the auto or lawn equipment.

jay
 
I, too, would like to know what brand pellets they are, but in general, I don't think you'll notice much difference than with 100% hardwood......and besides, all pellets burn different anyway....even the same manufacturer from year to year.

Try a bag or 2, and if you like 'em, burn 'em!
 
macman said:
I, too, would like to know what brand pellets they are, but in general, I don't think you'll notice much difference than with 100% hardwood......and besides, all pellets burn different anyway....even the same manufacturer from year to year.

Try a bag or 2, and if you like 'em, burn 'em!

Maine Woods Pellet Co., LLC. Ever heard of them?
 
oh geez. Yes we have heard of them. They aren't very well liked on this forum. I personally have no experience with them, but I know they have had some problems in years past, that they are supposdaly working on. just search for them on here...
 
Softwood pellets should yield LESS ash... but those Maine Woods pellets are in a league of their own FWIW...
 
Orange Crush CJ-7 said:
oh geez. Yes we have heard of them. They aren't very well liked on this forum. I personally have no experience with them, but I know they have had some problems in years past, that they are supposdaly working on. just search for them on here...

Yep, they are a highly discussed pellet here....unfortunately not in good terms previously. But who knows, they may have worked on quality control. Like I said before, burn a few bags and see what you think, and report back.
 
Maine Woods Pellet Co., LLC. Ever heard of them?

Worst pellet I ever burned, just try a few bags and see if they cleaned up their act before you commit. Luckily I only bought a few bags.
 
weatherguy said:
Maine Woods Pellet Co., LLC. Ever heard of them?

Worst pellet I ever burned, just try a few bags and see if they cleaned up their act before you commit. Luckily I only bought a few bags.

I thought it was odd when I was at the shop and rather than just let me buy 4 tons, the shop wanted me to try them first. I am not used to that, I am used to stores that follow the "let the buyer beware" mantra. Kinda nice actually!
 
Your Harman is not going to have a damper setting. I agree with the rest of the folks. Just try a few bags first. I have burned softwood hardwood and pellets that were a mix of both. Generally, they all burned ok but I have found that 100% hardwood tends to burn in my Harman better than softwood pellets. Some others have stated the same thing.

You will just have to try them to see what kind of results that you get. Appling County Pellets were my most disliked pellet. Many members agreed with my results that they produced way too much ash, they smelled, etc.. Yet others claim they were just fine for them. Jtakeman was right that each stove will be different. Too many variables involved for how they will burn in your stove. Generally, if the negative postings outway the positive feedback, I tend to stay away from the purchase.
 
codebum said:
Your Harman is not going to have a damper setting. I agree with the rest of the folks. Just try a few bags first. I have burned softwood hardwood and pellets that were a mix of both. Generally, they all burned ok but I have found that 100% hardwood tends to burn in my Harman better than softwood pellets. Some others have stated the same thing.

You will just have to try them to see what kind of results that you get. Appling County Pellets were my most disliked pellet. Many members agreed with my results that they produced way too much ash, they smelled, etc.. Yet others claim they were just fine for them. Jtakeman was right that each stove will be different. Too many variables involved for how they will burn in your stove. Generally, if the negative postings outway the positive feedback, I tend to stay away from the purchase.

I burned about 1/2 a bag last night and didn't notice a huge difference in either ash, smell or heat output with the Maine Pellets. I know its kinda soon to say anything for sure and it didn't get below 40* last night but... I don't know...
 
They have changed the pellets, but I still feel they are still high in ash content(.97% according to the latest lab report). They sell for $245 a ton in my area, but the same dealer has LG's for $260. I much rather pay $15.00 more to get a better pellet. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
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