I am getting my stash as early as I can each year, since I don't trust the supply chain. Last year I burned Mantras and have concluded that they do burn HOT but they are dirty and lots of fines. They actually screwed up my auger with dust and debris in one of my two Quad Castilles. I only went through about three tons this past season, as it was warmer, both weather and pellet wise. I paid $335/ton for them last year and expect them to be closer to $380 this year. Switching back to Somersets, which were much more cleaner though not as hot, that will run me about $400/ton. Prices are through the roof here in NE and pellet wood is my primary heating source, as we live rural.
You can build several contraptions to screen the crap out one is a vac and one is an inclined screen.
Matra fan here, Harman loves them, Hot and very little ash. Window stays clean after almost a full week, and fine don't bother the stove either.
The Matra burns wicked hot and if your stove eats them well, hey, they work! Meanwhile, I grabbed a couple of bags of Wood & Sons and they burned much better in the Castille. The fines were virtually ZILCH. I am going with three tons of those and was able to get them locally, 15 minutes away from home, for $360/ton. Paying cash, they will deliver them inside my garage for another $60, which is worth it for my time and gas. I have a dehumidifier running in the garage, which is built into a hill, so they will stay nice and "fresh" for the fall season ahead. Planning to have them delivered next month, so I have them in hand and can forget about them until I start burning again the last week in September.
