I just discovered the hard way that thanks to Katrina and fears of high heating oil prices that there is a shortage of Wood Pellets for Pellet Stoves because folks are buying these Pellet stoves in droves.

BY hard way, I mean that the place that I buy a ton of pellets at a time from is totally out and has no clue when (if ever this heating season) they will be able to get any in.

I have called Lowes/Home Depot/84 Lumbber/ACE,etc. and all say "NO way"

Do any of you bargain specialists know where I can buy these in the maryland/virginia area?

I can find them on Ebay but the price is way too steep and all want local pickup. My pickup truck does not support a payload of 1 Ton and I do not want to make two 6 hour round trip's to places in Pennsylvania to get 1/2 Ton at a time.

Thanks

Really? Wow, I had no idea they were so popular. I have one myself, and love it. But I have some left over from last year so I didn't need any this year.

I would say contact independant stores that sell the stoves - they will have better knowledge on where to get pellets now.

The shortage is so bad that I was informed by several stove stores that IF they can get their hands on Pellet's, they will ONLY sell to customer's who bought the stove from them.

That is the same story I got from the place near me where I bought my Stove 2 years ago. They have me on a waiting list but are not hopeful.

The owner told me that during the month of October, they were swamped and sold more Pellet Stoves in that one month than they sold ALL of last year - no BS.

I though I was so clever in buying a ton from them in August as soon as Katrina was over because I expected a big price increase but I never expected a supply problem due to demand.
While I still have a 1 month supply of Pellets, I burned 2 tons last year so obviopusly I am going to run out after Christmas.

To give you an idea of the savings:
in 2003, I spent ~ $1000 on Oil for my furnace and that was keeping the thermostat at 68.
Last year I burned 2 tons of Pellets (and my house was at 72) and that came to $400 (2 x $200/ton). I burned $90 in Heating oil as I turned off the Pellet Stove and let the house drop to 50 during the day.

The oil company called me in January and wanted to know if the house was still occupied because when the went to fill the tank, it only took 45 Gallons.

In one more year, I will have amortized the cost of the Pellet Stove (which I got as a floor model at 20% off).

BUT - I need to get my stock of Pellets back up. Where can I find them?

Can you burn dried corn in your stove??? Our neighbor does when he cannot find the pellets...

Have you tried feed stores?


This maker is near me & has a retailer locator. Feed stores, masonry & ice suppliers showed up as retailers as well.

http://www.pelletheat.com/

I think some of the pellet stoves can burn grain as well as wood pellets (corn and wheat).

A friend of a friend bought one and I think he has to start it on pellets and gell alcohol, but then can switch ovver to corn. I don't know if all models can do this, I expect not, but some probably can, and there is no shortage of shell corn.

On the down side he is having trouble with his new stove as twice now it has gone out and filled up with corn.

Cheers

Wizard83

The local Home Depot had some this weekend. Word to the wise- If you see them buy enough for the season. That is what a HD guy was telling a customer, buy enough for the winter.

Just would really like to know if your finding pellet this year and what your paying per bag/ ton. Here in NY they've gone through the roof, almost 6.00 per bag and many places are out already. Sure wish I knew this was going to be a problem before I purchased a pellet stove.

Here is the thread on wood pellets from last year.

How close are you to Buffalo? Heard there was alot of trees going to be logs in the near future.

Bumping...and adding that I saw sacks of wood pellets at Walmart last week. Sorry I didn't get the price.


I assume prices are better, wherever you get them, if you buy full pallets and not by the bag.

You may ewant to check local classified ads under fuel, order them by the ton.

Also try http://www.oodle.com/

I don't have a pellet stove, but know plenty of people who do, and yes, ordering by the ton is much cheaper. Up here pellets run about $180-200/ton.

That's about the same for me around Baltimore. I can't remember if it's 40 or 50 bags per ton... So the price per bag is $4 or $5

WALMART SELLS PELLETS FOR ABOUT 2.47 A BAG OR 189.00 A TON. THEY RECEIVE SEVERAL PALLETS A WEEK. MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR WALMART AND THEY DO SELL FAST BUT GET THEM IN FREQUENTLY. LOOK FOR THEM IN LAWN AND GARDEN.