Would you like a side of pellets with that sawdust (MWP)?

[woodmakesheat]

I bought a half-dozen bags of MWP from the local HD to try out (just because I can) and they burn just fine with good heat and relatively low ash, but the fines!! The first bag was like a bag of sawdust, the next couple OK, then I came home to a cold stove when it should have run for at least a couple of more hours and this is what I found:

A wall of sawdust preventing the pellets from feeding. I tried to add another bag on top of the remainder here (50 lb hopper capacity) and it formed a large mound on top preventing me from closing the hopper lid. That's a lot of pellets that should have fed while I was at work. How annoying.

 

[Peterfield]

I'm going through the same thing with some bags of Green Supremes. I have taken the time to sift them and found many swollen pellets as well as sawdust and fines which did prevent pellets from feeding into the auger tube thereby shutting down the stove. It tells me that moisture got into the bags somehow, either because of poor packaging or storage at the vendor or leftovers from last year's supply that absorbed summer humidity. Makes me wonder what is going to happen to forum members who bought way more pellets than needed this year and what they'll find when they open those bags next year.

 

[dlavigne7324]

I'm going through the same thing with some bags of Green Supremes. I have taken the time to sift them and found many swollen pellets as well as sawdust and fines which did prevent pellets from feeding into the auger tube thereby shutting down the stove. It tells me that moisture got into the bags somehow, either because of poor packaging or storage at the vendor or leftovers from last year's supply that absorbed summer humidity. Makes me wonder what is going to happen to forum members who bought way more pellets than needed this year and what they'll find when they open those bags next year.

I'm seeing it a little bit with the maines choice that I bought during the lowes fire sale !

 

[Tails1]

I'm going through the same thing with some bags of Green Supremes. I have taken the time to sift them and found many swollen pellets as well as sawdust and fines which did prevent pellets from feeding into the auger tube thereby shutting down the stove. It tells me that moisture got into the bags somehow, either because of poor packaging or storage at the vendor or leftovers from last year's supply that absorbed summer humidity. Makes me wonder what is going to happen to forum members who bought way more pellets than needed this year and what they'll find when they open those bags next year.

One of the mods here Lake Girl has built a ventilated corrugated shed and she keeps unused bags over to the next season in it without problems. I plan on doing the same thing. If the bags are sealed and the storage area is dry and ventilated I hope it should be ok.

 

[Peterfield]

I think some bags are better than others keeping out moisture. Definitely have seen this with Green Supremes damming up and a little bit with MWP's but they never completely dammed up.

 

[Mikey pellet guy]

I'm going through the same thing with some bags of Green Supremes. I have taken the time to sift them and found many swollen pellets as well as sawdust and fines which did prevent pellets from feeding into the auger tube thereby shutting down the stove. It tells me that moisture got into the bags somehow, either because of poor packaging or storage at the vendor or leftovers from last year's supply that absorbed summer humidity. Makes me wonder what is going to happen to forum members who bought way more pellets than needed this year and what they'll find when they open those bags next year.

When buying by the ton check to see how your supplier is storing them before your purchase. I always feel the corners of the bags for chunkiness before loading my hopper if i find any they go back for a exchange. Although i dont buy by the ton so a little eaiser for me.

 

[karen_in_nh_2014]

Wow, sorry to hear about some of the problems! I just recently finished a pallet of pellets that I'd bought back in 2013 and I had no problems with them at all. I still have many tons from 2014 and I periodically "feel" the bags from the outside (they're still packed solidly and covered and shrink-wrapped) and the pellets feel very firm and pellet-y (yeah, I just made up that word ). I store them in my garage and even here in SW NH, the land of icky humid summers, no problems with moisture.

 

[Mikey pellet guy]

There is nothing worse than a bag of wet damp pellets , i work at a supplier in my area and we do get occasional wet bags but i always check them to make sure no customers ever get them.

 

[MButkus]

CleanFire Pacific Blend (best quality .5 ash, clear bags) from Woodpellets.com for several years. Well no more. Last year it was delivered from a 15 mile away landscaping store, they used this massive backloader that could not fit in a simple driveway. It was some 12 ft wide. They finally got 2 tons shoved where I needed it. Most places have those small (HomeDepot) lifts that fit anywhere.
On my 3rd pallet from the previous year I lost some 4 or 5 bags due to them having tears. A number of them from the bottom. I just started (late Nov) the stove and my second bag from halfway down last year's delivery and a torn bag, half of it dust.
I just visited a store in the next town. Pools and Stoves, nice combo. I checked them out this spring. They have Allegheny Pellets in white bags. They will hand stack (no extra charge) or drop the pallet where ever. I bought 3 test bags and they are nice dark hardwood pellets ! They will take any back that are torn. Plus if they hand stack, I can put a ton (or less) right on my front porch. They are only a few bucks more, but they are local !

 

[Mikey pellet guy]

To have options is always best makes it eaiser for sure. We all pay good $ for our pellets and there should always care taken from distributors to re assure a good dry burn.