yep.....note that ash is by WEIGHT, not VOLUME. Unfortunately, most people compare ash by volume (in other words, how fast their ash bin fills, rather than by weight). So, fluffier ash is more voluminious, might appear to be more ash, but if you were to weigh it, not so much the case.
As a point of reference: in the P68 - burning LaCretes, I can go through 30 - 40 bags before the ash pan is full, whereas with Vermonts or Wood & Sons, I can burn 50 - 60 bags before the ash pan is full. In this scenario, either way is no big deal because the ash pan holds so much. However, for a stove with a tiny ash pan, it may make a difference for the owner. What matters more (at least to me) is the type of ash the pellet creates. As Dan mentioned, LaCretes make very light fluffy ash and the others create so little ash that there is only slight buildup in the burn pot over a given period of time, so the stove runs clean and strong for a much longer period of time and requires less frequent maintenance, which is ideal. Would burn any of these pellets again without hesitation.
Agree about the ash... which BTW, Was the main reason we did not go for an insert.. most have way to small of an ashpan... P61A here with the Big Bucket.....
I've put in my order for next season's MWP. I really like burning those. I like the people I am buying them from. Works for me.
The ash pan in our insert looks like an industrial cookie sheet. I feel that sometimes filling hopper causes the ash pan to get half full. ; ) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not exactly an early buy, but a nice little CL find. 1/2 ton wood pellets for $100. Figure dotman17 would be proud.
I was once a redhead in my younger days. Is that why I like MWP so much? When I do the math, my MWP come in at substantial saving when you do the BTU/$ equation. All you need is a good stove, good habits and do the math and you'll like these pellets also.
For the fluffy LaCrete ash, I just use the scraper to stir the ash and it gets knocked down. Only pellet I have burned that hasd actual less ash and not just less fluffy has been the 20 bags of Matra-awesome pellet right there
Some have posted about Matras leaving behind black soot or a dirty glass. They did that on my P68 as well, BUT it was dry ashlike and wiped off very easily. Vermonts and one batch of Green Team (way back 10 years ago whne GT were better priced) have left behind a black sticky mess that was a pain to clean. Overall Matras I tried were a very top shelf fuel in my stove
I burned matras last winter.. they we're not as hot as the ezblaze softies but, could have been due to the blaze are very small pellets and load up in the burnpot. Matras are longer so less get roasted at one time...had to bump up the feed rate from 3 to 4.. used a lazer pointed thermostat tool for temps.. both we're well over 400 degrees with Blaze closer to 500..
OK......some cash off tonnage....how much is the base cost of the tonnage? I didnt see it, or brands, in the literature.....