which pellets to go with?

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Baha

New Member
Hearth Supporter
Jun 25, 2009
5
Upstate NY
We have to make a decision on which pellets to buy. We were happy with Empire Pellets last year, but cannot get them this year. We can get Dry Creek, Instant Heat or PA pellets delivered. Does anyone have a preference? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Most people on this forum feel these are lower quality pellets. Try finding something else, but if these are all you can get, I'd rate them Instant Heat, then PA, then Dry creek. But, that's just my opinion.

It would be easier if you said what part of "Upstate NY" your in (it's a BIG area). Also, did you look at the Fuel Price Reports link at the top of the page?

Oh, and BTW, welcome to the forum! :-)
 
Yes, it's a big area but it's pretty easy to find. Take the subway to the last stop at 242nd street and look uptown ("north" they call it there). Lots of trees. That's Upstate NY.

In addition to the Fuel Price Reports Macman mentions, you might want to check out this web site. I don't know if it's up to date but it may give you some ideas about locations near you that sell more pellets than the brands you mentioned.

(broken link removed)
 
I used PA pellets last winter. At the time they were the only brand I could find in my area. Initally I had good results with them. They burned hot with little ash. However the last batch I got had pellets that were out of spec and too long and caused bridging in my Harmon stove. I was able to return this bach and replaced with another batch (PA admitted they had length issues). The replacement batch generated so much ash that the ash pan was filling up in a weeks time. I will probably not use them again unless there is absolutely nothing else available.
 
Thanks for your input. First Fire Honor Society, I truly mean "upstate", think near canadian border, no where near NYC. And second, I took your advice and looked a little harder. I can get British Columbia or Pot of Gold pellets but they won't be delivered. That will be a small problem but is it worth it for me to get into? I am dissappointed that the ones I can get delivered are not very good. Help
 
Has anybody used Barefoot pellets? saw them for 300 in newburgh...any thoughts ?
 
Joe, Barefoot are VERY good pellets, but I think 300 is still way too much for ANY pellet.
 
Baha said:
Thanks for your input. First Fire Honor Society, I truly mean "upstate", think near canadian border, no where near NYC. And second, I took your advice and looked a little harder. I can get British Columbia or Pot of Gold pellets but they won't be delivered. That will be a small problem but is it worth it for me to get into? I am dissappointed that the ones I can get delivered are not very good. Help

Baha,

Maybe try a search on this board for the brand names. I haven't tried either of the two you mentioned but probably some people have posted. (Is "British Columbia" the name of the pellets or just where they come from? There are some good pellets from BC, from Colorado, from New England, from Quebec, etc. but that seems like a very generic name.)

One problem is that if you want to buy now you won't be able to test out the pellets yourself but if you wait until cool weather you may pay more and have fewer choices. Since most people recommend buying earlier than later, research here and checking out web sites for the company may be smart rather than waiting. And of course you may want to get an opinion from your dealer if you bought the stove new.

Luck,

Stentor
 
Baha said:
......I can get British Columbia or Pot of Gold pellets but they won't be delivered. That will be a small problem but is it worth it for me to get into? I am dissappointed that the ones I can get delivered are not very good. Help

First of all, don't be disappointed....you saved yourself some headaches not getting poor quality pellets. As for the Pot-O-Gold pellets, they are a good pellet, and if it isn't too much of a ride to get them, I think they would be the way to go......have read good reports about them on this forum.
 
Has anyone heard of British Columbia Pellets? I was told they are better than Pot Of Gold. Was going with Pot Of Gold but now I need to check this one out. Thanks
 
newguyjoe said:
Has anybody used Barefoot pellets? saw them for 300 in newburgh...any thoughts ?

$300 is high, but Barefoots are excellent pellets.
 
Baha, DRY CREEK pellets are made 15 miles from me and i have used them in the past and they are the best of the 3 you mentioned above. I used them (dry creek) all of the 07 heating season and they are a great pellet. I would highly recommend them over any other brand you stated. Try them you will like them. They did have a small hickup last year but have straightened things out nicely.
 
Baha,
I burned 5 tons of Dry Creek pellets a few years ago, and had great success with them. Seemed to have low ash and good heat. I would used them again without reservation. I currently have been using Eagle Valley, I just find the B.C made pellets to be a better pellet year after year. If you can find any of the brands B.T.U mention I would go for those.
 
I called the company again and they said they do call them British Columbia Pellets, I asked for another name and they said they are from the same Clean Fuels maker? The company said they used them last year and found those and the Pot of Gold to be the best ones they tried. They claim the B.C. to be a little better. Don't know what to think.
 
I have noticed a few postings chating about these "British Columbia Pellets", but no one seems to have any first hand experience with them. I personally would try to stick with a well known brand with a proven track record, or see if you can get your hands on some bags to try them out, for next season.
 
BTU...I am with you, never heard of or laid my eyes on a bag of pellets named British Columbia, I would be willing to bet your are right, that this is some product made in BC. I would also guess the dealer is getting some stock made in BC, but does not know the brand yet. Sticking with the eagle valley pellets this year...would like to find a dealer in Upstate NY that stocks Okanagan, to try a few bags as well this year.
 
BTU - You have my curiousity up now regarding the name of the pellets, British Columbia. I have made two phone calls and got the same response, that this is the name of the pellets, even when I asked for clarification. So now I have to visit the dealer and see what they are selling. Maybe the person answering the phone just didn't have all the facts. Now it is a Just Need To Know kind of thing. I will keep you posted in case you are interested
 
BAHA,

Please give the telephone number ( by PM of course ) of the dealer who has the alleged "British Columbia" pellets to BTU, so that BTU can contact this dealer and provide him or her with a better understanding of the product they are worlking with, and perhaps, in the process, sell them some pellets that actually have a brand name on the bag ( a brand name that starts with an "O", of course).

Ranger
 
Dry Creek is a good pellet and I'd buy
them if available to me at a good price.
At least it was a good burning pellet in
my stove.
 
Yeah I grew up in Westchester County...about 30 min north of the Bronx...everyone said I was from "upstate"...pretty funny.

Thanks for the pricing site...


Stentor said:
Yes, it's a big area but it's pretty easy to find. Take the subway to the last stop at 242nd street and look uptown ("north" they call it there). Lots of trees. That's Upstate NY.

In addition to the Fuel Price Reports Macman mentions, you might want to check out this web site. I don't know if it's up to date but it may give you some ideas about locations near you that sell more pellets than the brands you mentioned.

(broken link removed)
 
BTU said:
Baha... I will bet you my life savings of $1.49 that the actual name of the pellet is NOT "British Columbia". ( I am such a huge gambler...NOT)
I too am very interested in what pellets they are and if possible take a picture or two of what you find...Thanks in advance for your time and effort into this..!!
I'm betting that the person you talked to ..doesn't really know what they are talking about...but I do leave the door open that I could be wrong...I once was in 1986..!!..LOL

Looks like NEWP repackages pellets from Premium Pellet Company of British Columbia...

(broken link removed to http://www.pelletheat.com/core/newsItem/?news_id=16)
 
The Okanagan pellet companies in B.C. should give BTU an award. He replied in six minutes, LOL. Fast.
 
FS when you decide what pellets you are gonna use could you post it for me Iam also in upstate NY by the canada border and have been looking for pellets but can not decide where to go or what kind to get. We have not even installed our pellet stove yet its been a busy summer and now its time to move. I also have questions on piping can someone direct me to the right forum on this site please ? Thank you
 
Where can you get Dry Creek??

I had a half a ton last year, and they were the best of any I tried. Local dealer said that they went out of business. (?). Then I see folks talking about them here....what gives?
I went to their website...its still up, but the only contact info is an email address that is NG. email to the listed address just bounces back. :-(
 
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