pellet problem

[mc1]

Anyone burning Ozark Hardwood Pellets having trouble with pot build up?

[peteacres]

I'm trying to burn them now, and if and when I ever get rid of them I'll make sure not to make that mistake again. I've increased draft fan more than needed and loosing alot of heat out the exhaust just to keep the pot from overflowing from ash and fines.

[mc1]

I'm getting 2 days of burning befor I have to clean out the pot. How many days are you getting befor a cleaning is requied?

[peteacres]

One when I'm lucky. After a few hours the sides of the pot are almost to the top. Think it must have been a bad run.

[Plainjane]

I have burned Somerset for the last two years and have been satisfied with the burn. I purchased them through the local Tractor Supply. However this year they are offering Ozark Hardwood Product pellets. I purchased a ton and then learned of another source in my area that offered Turman Hardwood Pellets. The difference is like night and day.

I find that the heat exchanger output temperature with the same stove setting (#2) is 16 degree higher with the Turman. And the ash is very little with the Turman as well. I find the ash with OHP is very high. It is almost like a sandy deposit and will fill the pot in a day if not tended. If given a choice I would choose the Turman then Somerset.

That said, I spoke with Turman two weeks ago and learned they are not able to product pellets for the public at this time. They are an Oak hardwood flooring company, and sales are down enough that they are suspending pellet production to the public.
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Northstar C-500
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You don't stop laughing when you get old......
You get old when you stop laughing.

[mc1]

It sounds as if there is a problem with OHP.
I'm a new burner, so I have limited experience with this type of fuel. However, I will be experimenting with other products. Unfortunately, there is a limited supply of vendors in my area. The next available product is soft wood pellets.
As for the discharge air temperature, (DAT) the best I have been able to get out of the furnace is 122F with the augurs at 100% on 0 off with 75% air. What kind of tempertures are you getting out of your furnance?

[bluewolf]

The local Tractor supply now carries "Ozark Hardwood Pellets" I bought 1 bag to use for startup, didn't even like them for that. They started slow and seemed to burn sooty. fortunately they were $4.99 a bag so I didn't get any more. I prefer the Pennywise brand from Menards.
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[RypH]

[SidecarFlip]

I guess when I get my 'pellet fix' next summer, I'll have to make sure that I don't inadvertently get Ozark Pellets. Leave it to TSC to obtain the cheapest, least desireable products.
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Flipmeisters Specialty Products, LLC
www.flipmeisters.com

[Plainjane]

I wouldn't think of leaving the house for more than 12 hours with the OHP in the hopper. The burn pot fills with the ash. I mean it fills it completely with ash. To the point of overflow, if you don't tend to it. I am using a clinker pot, so that problem may not exist with a stirrer pot.

I don't have a problem of the pot filling completely with the Turman pellets. The ash falls to the ash pan as it should.

Maybe OHP is using corn stalks or something as filler with there saw dust. Or they may be buying it from a supplier and are not aware of what is in it. I will use them up eventually. When I have plenty of time to tend the stove. But for now, I burn the Turman.
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Northstar C-500
_______________________________________
You don't stop laughing when you get old......
You get old when you stop laughing.

[TJim01]

Just for everyone's info - my local TSC carry's "Country Pride" pellets - which are softwood (I didn't notice this when I bought them) and they leave a thick black film on everything. Terribly dirty. My neighbor who helped me unload them commented he tried them and this is what I would find - he was right!! If I can find the dang receipt, I'm taking the balance back.

The OHP product is found at the RKO store - these burn cleaner, but I wouldn't call them great burning either.
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Wooster, Ohio
Fahrenheit 50F

[mc1]

Update on OHP pellets:

I have been burning Somerset pellets for a week now and I have not had to clean the pot at all!! Also, the discharge air temperture as increased.
On Thursday, I returned 3000# of OHP to Menards.
So much for OHP

[TJim01]

[rdaly]

Sometimes Menards has Somerset pellets too, you have to ask. If you find them, snatch them quick. A good pellet doesn't stay around long with a pellet shortage.

[wtim]

Why not just burn corn wouldn't have all those problems.