Looking for good quality pellets for your pellet stove?
You’ve come to the right place.
Using high-quality pellets ensures your stove runs at its best. Good stove pellets should burn hot and efficiently, with little to no smoke and very little ash left behind.
Heating vs. Cooking Pellets
Most of the wood pellets you’ll come across in stores are cooking pellets, and they are meant to be used in grills and smokers.
You can certainly use these pellets in a pellet stove – there’s no harm. But you can get stove-specific pellets for less money. Look for those labeled as heating pellets for stoves, firepits, and fireplaces.
Heating pellets will typically contain a mix of softwood and hardwood, and that’s why they are cheaper than the 100% hardwood cooking pellets.
What’s In This Buying Guide?
In this guide, we review the best pellets for pellet stoves. We also explain the different kinds of wood pellets in the market and how to choose the right ones for your stove.
Stove pellets are surprisingly difficult to find on Amazon, and most of the pellets you’ll find there are cooking pellets for grills and smokers. So we combed various forums to see which pellet brands stove owners rate highly.
Check out our top picks below and see if you’ll find that brand at a local store. We recommend buying pellets locally as you can get them for a lot cheaper, and you can buy them in bulk (at least a ton).
Best Pellets for a Pellet Stove
- Flame Genie FG-P20 Premium Wood Pellets, 20lbs
- Vermont Wood Pellets
- Bear Mountain Wood Fuel Pellets
- Golden Fire Premium Wood Fuel Pellets
- Warm Front Pellets
- Barefoot Super Premium Pellets
FG-P20
- Blend
Moisture content
5-10%Heat output:
Not specified
Vermont
- Softwood
Moisture content
5.6%Heat output:
9,000 BTU/lb
Bear Mountain
- Softwood
Moisture content
2-3%Heat output:
8,500 BTU/lb
Golden Fire
- Softwood
Moisture content
2-3%Heat output:
8,700 BTU/lb
Warm Front
- Blend
Moisture content
3-4%Heat output:
8,300 BTU/lb
Barefoot
- Hardwood
Moisture content
Not specifiedHeat output:
8,300 BTU/lb
1. Flame Genie FG-P20 Premium Wood Pellets, 20lbs
If you only need to buy a small number of stove pellets, Amazon has a few options. Our top pick is this 20lbs bag of Flame Genie FG-P20 wood pellets.
It has low moisture content and is made with 100% natural wood with no glue or binders.
Pros
- 100% natural wood pellets.
- Ideal for most pellet stoves as well as fire pits.
- They burn clean and hot.
- No glue or binders.
Cons
- Not as hot as softwood pellets.
- Pricier compared to buying locally.
Our Review
The Flame Genie FG-P20 wood pellets are easy to light and work well in any pellet stove. They produce a decent amount of heat, enough to heat an ample space.
Their low moisture content (5-10%) ensures they burn clean with little to no smoke. They also produce low amounts of ash.
These are 100% natural wood pellets, with a mix of about 80% hardwood and 20% softwood. Since they don’t contain any glue, binders, or chemicals, they don’t produce any unusual smells or fumes.
Issues & Complaints
The main complaint from customers is the price. A 20lb bag of Flame Genie FG-P20 pellets costs more than a 40lb bag of locally bought pellets.
We only recommend these pellets if you really prefer shopping online or only need a small number of wood pellets.
Another issue is heat output. Being mostly hardwood pellets, the Flame Genie FG-P20 won’t burn quite as hot as 100% softwood pellets. If you need to warm an entire home or an extra-large space, get softwood pellets.
Bottom Line
The Flame Genie FG-P20 pellets are best for: Those who prefer buying their stove pellets online.
Avoid if: You want to buy stove pellets in bulk and at an affordable price. Buy locally instead.
2. Vermont Wood Pellets
Vermont wood pellets are some of the best pellets for stoves. They are a bit pricier than other brands, but the quality is unmatched.
Compared to other brands, Vermont pellets burn hotter, longer, and with less ash in the end. Visit their official website to find a dealer near you.
Pros
- Some of the best quality stove pellets.
- Made from 100% softwoods – better heat output compared to hardwoods.
- Low moisture content.
- They produce very little ash.
Cons
- A bit more expensive than other pellet brands.
Our Review
Vermont Wood Pellet company uses what they call HeatRight technology to ensure the highest quality pellets.
This begins by harvesting the right wood, and they use only softwoods from sustainably managed forests in Vermont.
Softwoods pellets deliver the cleanest burn and highest BTU output. According to the company, the Vermont pellets produce just 20 cups of ash per ton of pellets.
The pellets are 100% natural, they don’t contain any binders or synthetic resins. They also have one of the lowest moisture content among pellet brands.
Unlike some cheap wood pellets, each bag of Vermont pellets has little to no dust and fines, which can clog up your stove.
Issues & Complaints
Vermont wood pellets cost more than other brands. So if you are shopping on a budget, they may not be what you are looking for.
Keep in mind, however, that you could save money with Vermont pellets in the long run. Since they burn hotter and for longer, a bag lasts longer.
Bottom Line
Vermont wood pellets are best for: Anyone looking for premium quality softwood pellets for their pellet stove.
Avoid if: You are shopping for budget wood pellets.
3. Bear Mountain Wood Fuel Pellets
Lignetics owns several brands of stove pellets, including Golden Fire and Green Supreme. Bear Mountain is one of the highest-rated brands.
Bear Mountain wood pellets produce up to 8,500 BTUs of heat per pound and have a moisture content as low as 3%.
Pros
- High output softwood pellets.
- Low moisture.
- Low ash content.
- PFI certified.
Cons
- Pricier than most other brands.
Our Review
Bear Mountain is another premium pellet brand. Their pellets are made from 100% natural softwood without any additives such as glue and binders.
They have one of the highest heat outputs at about 8,500 BTUs per pound, making Bear Mountain pellets a good choice for heating a large home and staying warm during harsh winters.
Bear mountain pellets are manufactured to burn as clean as possible, and they produce less than 0.5% in ash, making keeping your stove clean less of a hassle.
They also have an impressively low moisture content of 2-3%, meaning they burn cleanly without smoke. You can use the pellets in an indoor pellet stove or an outdoor fire pit.
Issues & Complaints
We haven’t seen any complaints from anyone using Bear Mountain pellets in terms of performance and quality. If you can find them at a local store, they are a great choice.
The only downside is the price. Similar to Vermont pellets, Bear Mountain pellets tend to be pricier than other brands. You can find stores selling a ton at $280 or more, while most brands cost closer to $200 a ton.
But the quality and heat output make it worth it.
Bottom Line
Bear Mountain wood pellets are best for: Anyone shopping for high-quality softwood wood pellets.
Avoid if: You are looking for low-budget wood pellets for your stove.
4. Golden Fire Premium Wood Fuel Pellets
If you are looking for Douglas Fir wood stove pellets, Golden Fire Premium pellets from Lignetics are some of the best.
They burn hot, have one of the lowest moisture levels, and they produce very little ash.
Pros
- 100% Douglas Fir pellets.
- High heat output.
- Low moisture content.
- Low ash content.
Cons
- Pricey.
Our Review
In the world of heating pellets, Douglas Fir is considered one of the best woods for making pellets.
This softwood produces pellets that have high heat output and burn clean with very little ash.
Golden Fire Premium pellets are made from Douglas Fir, with no additives. They produce up to 8,700 BTUs of heat per pound, have a moisture content of 2-3% (can be as low as 1.9% in some pellets), and produce less than 0.4% in ash.
The higher output of the Golden Fire pellets means you can heat a large home in less time. The low moisture content also helps raise temperatures quickly.
According to the manufacturer, Golden Fire pellets only take an hour to get the room temperature to 70 degrees in 30-degree weather.
Issues & Complaints
Golden Fire premium pellets are pricey, and most stores sell them at around $6-7 per 40lbs bag. A ton (50 bags) goes for over $300 in many stores.
Bottom Line
Golden Fire Premium pellets are best for: Anyone looking for 100% Douglas Fir heating/fuel pellets.
Avoid if: You are shopping on a budget.
5. Warm Front Pellets
If you are looking for lower-priced stove pellets, we recommend Warm Front. Check if they are available at a local store.
They typically cost between $200 and $250 for a ton, depending on your location.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Low moisture content.
- Low ash content.
- Good heat output.
Cons
- They don’t burn as hot as 100% softwood pellets.
Our Review
The main reason the Warm Front pellets are cheaper is because they are a blend of softwoods (15-20%) and hardwoods (80-85%).
They don’t burn quite as hot as pure softwood pellets. But they still produce plenty of heat – about 8,300lbs per pound.
That’s enough to heat most homes once you add several pounds into the stove.
Moisture content is in the 3-4% range, and ash content is about 0.5%. That’s almost as good as the premium pellet brands.
Another thing we love about the Warm Front pellets is that they are available in 40lb as well as 20lb bags in certain stores. The smaller bags are easier to handle, especially for seniors.
Issues & Complaints
The Warm Front pellets don’t put out as much heat as 100% softwood pellets, so it might take longer to get your home to a comfortable temperature.
We’ve also seen a few complaints regarding fines and dust mixed in with the pellets. You have to clean your stove more often to prevent clogging.
Bottom Line
Warm Front pellets are best for: Anyone shopping for budget wood pellets for a pellet stove.
Avoid if: You prefer 100% softwood pellets.
6. Barefoot Super Premium Pellets
If you are looking for 100% hardwood fuel pellets, we recommend Barefoot Super Premium pellets.
They are available in 40lb and 23.8lb bags, so you can choose the one that’s most convenient for you.
Pros
- Good heat output.
- Low ash and moisture content.
- Cheaper than most softwood pellet brands.
- 100% natural hardwood.
Cons
- They don’t burn as hot as softwood pellets.
Our Review
Because they have other lumber businesses as well as a hardwood flooring business, Barefoot makes pellets using their own hardwood sawdust.
This is unlike most pellet companies that source their raw materials from sawmills, which ensures they make high-quality 100% hardwood pellets.
Barefoot pellets provide about 8,300lbs of BTUs per pound, and it’s lower than what you get from softwood pellets but still high enough to keep your home cozy.
Barefoot pellets have a generally good reputation among homeowners. Their bags contain low levels of fines and dust, and the pellets produce very little ash.
They are also cheaper than softwood pellets, though the actual price will depend on your location. In some places (those farthest from Pennsylvania, where the pellets are made), they can be just as expensive as premium softwood pellets.
Issues & Complaints
While they do get pretty hot, Barefoot hardwood pellets don’t match the high output of softwood pellets.
We recommend Vermont, Bear Mountain, or Golden Fire softwood pellets if you want to heat a large home quickly.
Bottom Line
Barefoot hardwood pellets are best for: Anyone looking for 100% hardwood stove pellets.
Avoid if: You prefer softwood pellets.
Buying Guide For Stove Pellets
What Are Stove Pellets?
Stove pellets are highly compacted pieces of wood materials. They are often made from sawdust but can also be made with wood shavings, bark, and other materials.
Stove pellets are also called heating or fuel pellets. They have used in pellet stoves as well as pellet boilers and fire pits.
The pellets are dried to remove as much moisture as possible to ensure high heat output and clean burning without smoke.
It’s crucial to know the difference between fuel pellets and cooking pellets. Cooking pellets, often labeled as bbq or grill pellets, are food-grade pellets used in grills and smokers.
They are 100% hardwood and don’t contain any additives.
Types Of Stove Pellets
There are three types of stove pellets.
- Softwood pellets (highest grade) – these are the best stove pellets, and they burn hotter than other types of pellets. On the downside, they are usually expensive.
- Hardwood pellets – these tend to be slightly cheaper, and they burn slightly less hot than softwood pellets.
- Blended pellets – these consist of a mixture of hardwood and softwood materials, with the majority being hardwood. They are cheaper than 100% softwood pellets, with about the same heat output as hardwood pellets.
What To Look For When Buying Stove Pellets
1. Types of Pellets
If your budget allows it, get 100% softwood pellets and provide the best heat output.
If you want to save money, hardwood and blended pellets are also good as long as you get good quality ones.
Whichever pellets you buy, make sure they are 100% natural with no glue, binders, and other additives.
2. Heat Output
Heat output mostly depends on the type of pellets. Softwood pellets can produce up to 9,000 BTUs of heat per pound, while blended and hardwood pellets produce about 8,300 BTUs per pound.
The bigger the area you want to heat, the more heat you want.
Note: Heat output also depends on your stove, its quality, and how you operate it.
3. Pellet Quality (Moisture & Ash Content)
Heat output is not the only important factor when judging the quality of pellets – moisture and ash content are also essential.
The moisture and ash content of pellets is not dependent on whether they are hardwood or softwood. You can get softwood pellets that leave a lot of ash on your stove.
What matters most is how they are manufactured. Low-quality pellets will be inadequately dried and will be mixed in with impurities, which increases ash content.
Good quality pellets have a moisture content of no more than 5% and ash content less than 0.5%.
Low moisture content allows the pellets to burn hotter and warm your home more effectively. Low ash content also improves heating performance and makes stove maintenance easier. You can go several days without emptying the ash pan.
Another thing to check is the number of fines and dust in the bag of pellets. Low-quality pellets will have lots of fines and dust mixed in with the pellets, and they can clog your stove.
One way to ensure you are buying high-quality pellets is to look for PFI certification. The Pellet Fuels Institute tests and certifies pellets to guarantee quality.
4. Availability
Once you find a good brand of pellets, check whether it is available in your local area.
Buying pellets locally is easy, you are likely to get a good bargain, and you can buy in bulk. Many dealers will even transport it to your home free or at a very low price if you buy multiple bags.
5. Price
Finally, check the price of particular pellets in your area.
On average, stove pellets go for about $5 for a 40lb bag. But this varies depending on the type of pellets, brand, and your location.
Softwood pellets will usually be the most expensive. Certain brands can be expensive in some areas and cheap in others.
That’s why we recommend checking the local price. Ask for the price of a full ton of pellets. You’ll probably get a better deal that way.
Depending on the brand and type of pellets, a ton costs between $200 and $350.
How To Check The Quality of Stove Pellets
If this is your first time buying a particular brand, you may want to get just a few bags to test pellet quality before you order a ton. There’s nothing worse than having a couple of tons or more of terrible pellets.
Here’s what to check when testing the quality of stove pellets.
- Texture and appearance: Good-quality stove pellets will feel smooth and solid. Crumbly and rough is bad and indicates poor manufacturing.
- Flame color: If you want to be sure you got 100% natural pellets, look for a yellow flame color similar to that of wood (or blue if your stove is burning too hot). If it’s any other color, it could be an indication the pellets contain additives.
- Smoke: Good quality pellets produce almost no smoke. If they are burning with smoke, either they contain additives or high moisture content.
- Ash: High-quality pellets with no impurities leave very little ash, and you can go for days before emptying the ash pan. On the other hand, low-quality pellets will leave heaps of ash and big black solids called clinkers.
If the pellets pass your testing, you can order them in bulk.
Pellets For Stoves: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a 40lb bag of pellets last in a stove?
Most pellet stoves will burn 40lbs of pellets in 24 hours. This will vary depending on how much heat the stove is putting out.
How much does a 40lb bag of pellets cost?
A 40lb bag of stove pellets costs between $4 and $8 depending on the brand, type of pellets, and location.
Which are better between softwood and hardwood pellets?
Softwood pellets burn hotter and are usually better value for money.
Can you burn pellets in a wood stove?
Only burn pellets in a pellet stove, and this ensures the best efficiency and maximum safety.
Because pellets burn much hotter than wood, the heat can damage a wood stove. If you want to use pellets in a wood stove, you’ll need to get a special insert.
Final Verdict: Which Are The Best Pellets For Stoves Sold Today?
In our opinion, Vermont wood pellets are the absolute best stove pellets in the market. Bear Mountain, Golden Fire, and Barefoot pellets are also great if you can find them in your location.