If you’re like most people, you want to get the best possible performance out of your pellet stove. That means finding pellets that burn hot and produce little ash. But with so many different brands and types of pellets on the market, how can you be sure you’re getting the best pellets for your stove?
By conducting some simple tests, you can narrow down your options and find the pellets that will give you the best results.
Appearance Tests
If you’re a frequent user of wood pellets, then you know that not all pellets are created equal. In order to get the best burn possible, you need to make sure you’re using high-quality pellets. But how can you tell if pellets are high quality? Here are three easy tests you can do at home to find out.
Smooth on the Outside
One of the easiest ways to tell if pellets are high quality is by their appearance. High-quality pellets will be smooth on the outside, without frequent cracks or rough surfaces. This is because better compression means your pellets are denser and will burn longer/hotter as a result. Additionally, make sure the moisture level of your pellets is under 10%. If the wood pellets are crumbling, loose, or frequently cracked, then the wood was likely too wet when it was compressed.
Softwood vs Hardwood Pellets
Another way to tell if pellets are high quality is by their type. There are two main types of pellets: softwood and hardwood. Generally speaking, softwood pellets burn hotter than hardwood pellets. So, if you’re looking for a pellet that will give you a nice hot fire, then softwood is the way to go. However, if you’re looking for a pellet that will produce less ash, then hardwood is the better option.
Pellet Size Matters Too!
Most high-quality pellets will be around 1.15-1.5 inches long and about 1/4 inch in diameter. That said, when purchasing pellets, don’t worry too much about the specific dimensions of the pellets. As long as they’re close to these measurements, they should be fine. Just remember that a manufacturer’s pellets should be consistent in size from bag to bag.
Burn Tests
Once you’ve found some pellets that meet your standards in terms of appearance, it’s time to conduct some burn tests. The easiest way to do this is to put a handful of pellets in your stove and see how well they burn. Pay close attention to how long it takes for the pellets to ignite and how long they keep burning. You should also pay attention to how hot they get while they’re burning and how much ash they produce.
Finding a Reputable Supplier
Once you’ve conducted some burn tests and found some pellets that meet your standards, it’s time to find a reputable supplier. The best way to do this is by reading online reviews from other customers who have purchased pellets from the same supplier. Look for suppliers who have positive reviews and make sure that the reviews are from reputable sources. You can also check with your local pellet stove dealer or retailer to see if they have any recommendations.
Examples of top brands
If you’re in the market for wood pellets, you’ll want to buy from a reputable company. Here are five of the best wood pellet companies in North America, based on quality, price, and customer service.
- Okanagan Pellet Company
- Vermont Wood Pellet Company
- Cleanfire
- Northern Warmth
- Appalachian Wood Pellets
When choosing a supplier, be sure to compare prices and shipping costs, as well as read reviews to get an idea of the quality of pellets and customer service.
When possible, just buy one or 2 bags to test out a brand before committing to a larger purchase. After all, there is nothing worse than buying a pallet of pellets only to find out they don’t meet your expectations.
In Conclusion
By conducting some simple tests, you can easily find the best pellets for your pellet stove. By paying attention to things like appearance, burn time, heat output, and ash production, you can narrow down your options and find the pellets that will give you the best performance. And by finding a reputable supplier, you can be sure that you’re getting high-quality pellets that will last the longest and provide the most heat.