Premium Pellets

Wood Fuel Pellets

An average 1,800 square foot home will require between two and three tons of pellets for one heating season.

Wood pellets are sold in 40 lb. bags and can be purchased either individually, or by the ton. A ton of pellets can be stacked in an area as small as four feet wide, long, and high - an area about half the space needed for a cord of wood. Two grades of wood pellets are offered for sale; standard and premium.

Standard grade pellet fuel (up to 3% ash content) is usually derived from materials which result in more residual ash, such as sawdust containing tree bark (which contains more impurities). Premium grade pellet fuel (less than 1% ash content) is usually produced from hardwood or softwood sawdust containing no tree bark. Ash content varies in premium fuels from about .3% for some western softwoods to about .7% for eastern hardwoods. Less ash means more fuel per pellet.

Premium pellets, which make up over 95% of our current pellet production, can generally be burned in stoves calling for either standard or premium fuel. Increased availability of standard fuel is anticipated as stove designs continue to improve ash tolerance. Ash content determines fuel grade because of its role in maintenance frequency. Expect the heat content for a pound of premium pellets to range between 8,000 and 9,000 Btu per pound, depending on the species and region of the country.