Doug is probably somewhere in Arizona sipping fruity umbrella drinks right now. Maybe @jtakeman could ring his bud...
Aint seen(heard) hide nor hair from sir doug'ie. Prolly on an island somewhere counting all the cash from last seasons haul? IDK!! As for the lab test results, Its not uncommon for the makers to round down the BTU content. In other words, Lab tests usually yield higher results than what they post on the bags. Moisture content is a crap shoot. What we actually see is often higher than listed as the pellets can gain moisture during storage. Anything less than 4% usually results in dry crumbly pellets that fall apart to easy. 4 to 6% is range of what we usually see. I don't usually see many test over 6%. Higher moisture does effect BTU content. But its such a marginal amount, We most likely wouldn't notice much difference between 5 and 6% IMHO.
The Gold pellets you are referring to, are tested every two weeks from BEL (Biomass Energy Lab). We see a slight variation from test to test, but it is very slight. There are a number of ways to measure the heat and depending on what market you are selling too, they will state a different number. In NA it is generally done in BTU's...and either in an "as received" state or a "dry" state. The dry will typically show more heat and usually about the same % ash or very close. In Europe they usually want to see it listed as Net Calorific Value or GJ/Tonne...but its all the same heat. How much energy does that little sucker produce Some dealers list one or the other for heat, but normally the "dry" cause it's a higher number. (No moisture will produce a higher reading). The more moisture usually the lower the heat value, but not always, so you can't just assume because a pellet has 5% moisture it is better than a pellet with 6.6% moisture. Again, how dense is the pellet, what is the predominate species is in it...etc We have to put something on the bag, so lately we have been putting a number that we know we are safe with, and know we can meet without having to get specific and not change the printing numbers on each batch of a bag run...thus the greater than or less than symbols. Since each stove is pellet specific in what it likes or doesn't like, we and many others always recommend trying first before buying in volume. As you know, many things will influence how well your stove likes a certain pellet. How clean it is, how much insulation your house has, how big an area you are heating..etc etc etc. I have people tell me all the time the Gold is the best thing since sliced bread, then others not so much. We like to think all three of our brands are top of the heap, again depending on your needs and type of stove you have.
Doug (BTU) A couple of years ago 5 or 6 I was just getting into burning pellets and I found a pellet forum and asked the question on what would be a good starting pellet for me. I got many replies but one of them stated the Okie pellet was like JET FUEL to the stove and very clean burning I have been trying them for the last 5 or 6 years and found them very clean and hot (Cleaned stove and stove pipe after 2 tons and got about 5 oz. of ash) I hope the new batch will live up to the same reputation as the old. I have 2 tons stacked and ready. And thanks for being so honest. Jim H
Confused by what is going on with my favorite pellet for the last 4 years. Is it now being sold at different grades and price points? Local dealer is only carrying the gold. Used the platinum last heating season and they seemed a little dirtier, Thank God it was minus the cat pee fragrance and burn wasn't as hot. It makes me apprehensive to order my usual for upcoming heating seating.
Okies Douglas fir is the top dog drawing the highest dollar. Okies platinum is their original SPF pellet. Okies gold is the new comer and is also a SPF pellet. I have seen dealers getting more for the Platinums. But I have also seen dealers selling the gold for the same amount.....
Okie Douglas Fir is the top dog...don't think there is a better pellet in all of New England...YMMV of course...this pellet comes from Oregon (yes they are expensive, but most people are having to use less of these for a season, much less ash and a cleaner window than most other brands) That is good value. Okie Platinum is our original SPF (spruce, pine, fir) pellet from Western Canada...very light in color and also is a preferred product for horse bedding Okie Gold is a Southern Yellow Pine pellet and comes from GA, out of one of the largest pellet mills in the world...Great pellet at a good price point. Our Platinum are in short supply and have been for 2 years now, probably will be for 2 more years All three brands are softwood, with well above average heat, little ash (especially the Douglas Fir) and sell everything we can bring into New England Black Hills Heat is no longer available in NA...it is a brand we sell in Europe We do NOT set dealer pricing...never have, never will...they set their price based on what they feel their market will bare.
Jay, Doug - Thanks for the info - really appreciate it as always. I bought a ton of the Golds for my stash this winter. Just have to give them a try.
I didn't know the Golds were a southern yellow pine. GA ya say? Still a bulk shipped pellet to the Upton plant for bagging?
Everything we send into Upton is in bulk...only way we can keep transportation prices semi reasonable....if I had to pre bag and ship any of the three products in boxcars....it wouldn't happen....that simple.
