Whoa... Different Pellets and Big Flames!!

[MarkF48]

And scared the crap out of the wife.

Bought four bags of "Freedom Fuel" pellets at Tractor Supply to give a try as my 3 tons of Geneva's were getting low. Added some to the Harman XXV while it was already running and they burned OK, but not great and a bit more ash than what I'm used to. Weekly cleanout came due, so I shut the stove down to cool. The hopper was full of the Freedom Fuel pellets when I restarted. Didn't expect much out of the ordinary, so I went about doing other business until the wife in a rather loud tone of voice, "Can you come down here quick!!". The firebox was pretty much full of flames, which the Geneva pellets never had done. Wife said she had heard a pop as well. Not sure what that might have been, maybe unburnt gases(?) The flames did finally recede to normal as the temperature came up, but a little disconcerting getting them lit up.
I can only assume the "wood product" they are made of has a much quicker burn rate than the Geneva's. The one bag left will be blended with the Geneva's. One brand I won't likely be buying again.

 

[GeHmTS]

this is why man I believe man discovered fire.

 

[VA Bugler]

I had the same experience with the Freedom fuel pellets in my MVAE. The diameter of the pellets are much larger than the hardwoods I have been burning. Still have two bags left. With the limited settings on this stove, I haven't been able to get them to burn well. They burn hot but lots of ash and soot.

 

[MarkF48]

I had the same experience with the Freedom fuel pellets in my MVAE. The diameter of the pellets are much larger than the hardwoods I have been burning. Still have two bags left. With the limited settings on this stove, I haven't been able to get them to burn well. They burn hot but lots of ash and soot.

The Freedom pellets I got are a smaller diameter than the Geneva's I burn. When I opened the bag I thought they looked like a bran breakfast cereal.

 

[chrisasst]

I bought some freedom fuel today from TSC as well. The bags where still warm even. I just dumped a bag into the hopper and the pellets are very tiny compared to a month ago when I got some.
Are the pellet plants rushing the pellet making process somehow to get the pellets out I wonder..

 

[pell it]

The parent company of Freedom Fuel also owns Equine Pine horse bedding. The half ton of Freedom Fuel I just bought looks to be a mix of light colored pine bedding and darker pellets. One bags looks like all pine bedding.

They are shipping whatever they can at this point. Some of the bags are not even fully heat sealed!

 

[MarkF48]

The Freedom pellets do have a pleasant aroma that is reminiscent of cutting plywood in my woodshop

 

[chrisasst]

I will have to say though, these freedom fuel pellets are cranking out some heat.

 

[stratocaster1422]

I notice a massive flame using Lingnetics as well. They are a much larger diameter pellet than anything I have ever burned before.

 

[dhungy]

I bought some freedom fuel today from TSC as well. The bags where still warm even. I just dumped a bag into the hopper and the pellets are very tiny compared to a month ago when I got some.
Are the pellet plants rushing the pellet making process somehow to get the pellets out I wonder..

which TSC did you pick them up from? I was at the Ithaca location a week ago or so didnt see any freedom fuel...

 

[chrisasst]

Cortland. They got a delivery Monday, all gone Tuesday

 

[dhungy]

HD and Lowes are out of pellets in Ithaca.. TSC had some last friday but who knows now... Next year I am going to burn more barley in the fall... save my pellets for lat winter