Vast pellet choices have reader’s head spinning
To the editor:
Have you ever tried to educate yourself on your winter pellet purchase? Well … this is my wood pellet plight!
I just wanted the proper pellet for my Harman stove. This is my fourth winter with my pellet stove and I have never been happy with what I have been burning for the past three years. I want to protect my investment with proper cleaning and maintenance, as well as burning the best pellet for my stove.
I spent several hours on my time home from work, calling local dealers just to find the process to be complicated as the dealers I spoke with were not interested in providing educated information. Did you know that some pellets are bonded with corn which turns to sugar? No wonder you have to dig and dig in your burn pot! One dealer did not want to provide the percentage of hardwood/softwood as it really is dependent upon the manufacturing process. I even had one dealer hang up on me once he realized he couldn’t tell me anything more than what he could read off the bag. Wouldn’t you think you could be directed to the best pellet for your stove to get the cleanest heat for your hard earned dollar? Shouldn’t a dealer take the time to educate himself to best inform his customers? Not only is the stove important but so are the pellets you burn in that stove!
The following is what I found for pellets sold locally: hardwood 100 percent from Canada, $230/ton; Ashland, mix 50/50, $220/ton: Maine Hardwood, 65/35, $225/ton; New England from N.H., 80/20, $265/ton; Cozy Comfort, $240/ton; Ashland, $225/ton; Corinth, 80/20, $230/ton Athens, 65/35, $205/ton; Armstrong, 100 percent softwood from British Columbia, $265/ton; and Spruce Point, 100 percent softwood from Alberta, $255/ton.
Delivery fees ranged from $35 for four ton, $25 for two ton, yet another dealer would charge $50 for four ton. Some deliver and use a forklift, some don’t.
I was totally overwhelmed by the information. I am told everyone likes different pellets, and I should buy a bag and find out for myself. Well by this time I am about to go over the edge! I wanted to run out in the road and scream “all I want to know what is best for my Harman stove“!
I finally decided to call Pennsylvania where they made my pellet stove and speak with a consumer tech. Finally — someone who knows something about pellets! This knowledgeable tech told me to look for the “Certified Pellets Fuel Institute” seal which assures the pellet should be somewhat close to this certified standard. He said also look for “premium” grade with low ash as ash has no heat value, therefore wasting your money. He recommended I call dealers who sell my stove and provided me a list and phone numbers within seconds.
Now I’m starting to feel like I am a more informed consumer. No more 65/35, 80/20 or 50/50! My plight has finally ended! I now have good quality answers — my stove likes 100 percent softwood, so there! Happily I have ordered several tons and they’ll soon be delivered to my driveway.
Sherry Cunningham
Fort Fairfield
