As far as I know, everyone has their stock built up and are not running 24/7 anymore. We're still making bulk and keeping the silos full for regional bulk users. Plus we have the other construction project to keep us busy.
Never did get to try any softwood the first time around, hopefully this time though if any makes it down this way.
So VT did shut down for a while. I used them a few years ago. Missed the tour unfortunately due to bad weather. They were a premium priced product, over $300 a ton. I think that hurts them a bunch. I would expect a better price being local.
Yes a great product indeed but they had to shut down for a while do to lack of demand at end of January. Supposed to start up again at the end of March
I've been burning these steady for the last 10 days or so. I'm assuming by softwood blend that they are a mix of various softwoods as opposed to a softwood hardwood blend. If these are 100% softwood, they are pretty ashy and a little lacking on the heat. The good Timber Heats I burned and MWP are both hotter with less ash.
I was assuming they are using the softwood blend. 80% softwood/20% hardwood....... The mills that use a SPF mix don't call them blends. Sales guy might be a lil clueless.............. SPF mixes are considered softies as all the fiber is from the softwood species. Blends are a mix of both softwood/hardwood AFAIK. This why I assumed softwood blend. But if they don't get the density up to the mid 40's? They generally don't have the horsepower. High Ash content could be a number of reasons. Which I am sure you are aware of. Not getting all the bark of a log is killer as the bark has about a 1.5% ash content. Again I assume these are a softwood blend(mix of softwood/hardwood fiber). Most mills don't call them blends unless there is a mix in fiber species. Good to hear your input on these. As they are much to expensive compared to the other brands you compare them to in my area. I won't even bother unless I can steal em at bargain prices!!
Up here, HD was selling these at $300/ton but Lowes has had them priced the same as all the other pellets, which right now is $199. I don't think bark is an issue. These pellets are a lot lighter in color than most. Not as blond as LaCrete or North Country, but they would be a lot darker if there was any amount of bark.
Viewing the pic's above in comparison to my 52i: My hopper sometimes looks as clear as Will711's and other times its a bit fuller similar to, well, Wills's other pics. Perhaps it has to do with stove temp and outdoor temp. I'll rule out brand of pellet in my case because the only thing I've burned this season are La Crete. I don't have a problem with bridging even if I pack the pellets down into the hopper. Nor have I used any teflon sprays on the hopper shoot.
Forgot about this thread, With Lowes clearance sale(99.5/ton). I thinx the bottom had done fell out!! Hang on to your nickers!
