Try Out New Brands of Wood Pellets!

Originally published September, 2017

Many homeowners who burn wood pellets have been burning the same brand for many years due to manufacturer claims that may not always be true. This fall is the perfect time to do a little experimenting to see if you might like some other brands better. Here's why: 
 
There’s No Shortage of Wood Pellets at the Current Time!
 
The warm winter and low heating oil prices from last heating season have left a lasting effect on this year's wood pellet supply. We have had no problems getting our customers as many as they want at prices that are comparable to last season. This means that, if you are unhappy with the brand of pellets you are currently using, you have the ability to come in and buy a few bags of some other brands made from different types of wood. 
 
Local pellets, such as New England Wood Pellets, are mostly made of hardwood, and they are usually less expensive, because it costs less to deliver them here. Travelling shorter distances means there will be fewer fines in the bags, because they don't get jostled as much. They provide from 8,000 to 8,300 BTUs per pound with ash produced at .4- to .6-percent.
 
Softwood pellets come from three types of trees:

• Pine - These pellets typically come from the southern forests and are yellow in color. Their BTU production is greater than the 8,300 BTUs of hardwoods, and ash produced is less than .4-percent. They cost a little more, because they travel a bit further. A new brand on the market that has taken over for Okanagan Wood Pellets is Northern Warmth. Northern Warmth has a brand of pine pellets called Purely Pine that many of our customers will be giving a trial run, once the nights start getting colder.

• Spruce - These pellets come from the north and west where spruce trees are found. They travel about the same distance as pine pellets and are comparably priced. They produce 8,500 BTUs and less than .4-percet ash. We are selling Northern Warmth Super Spruce pellets this year, which were previously known as Okanagan Platinum.

• Doulas Fir - These pellets are the gold standard for wood pellets! They travel the greatest distance, so they typically cost the most. They produce greater than 8,700 BTUs and less than .5-percent ash. We are selling Northern Warmth Douglas Fir and Purcell Douglas Fir pellets, which are replacing the Okanagan Douglas Fir pellets.

 
I recommend that you consider coming in to pick up a bag or two of one of these brands of pellets, and do a little experimenting before placing your order. You still have time! 

Bob

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