Last year I used a mix, this year...all pellets. I turned the grain wagon chute into a corn screener so my corn always got cleaned. The pellets just got dumped right from the bag. Since going all pellets this year I decided to make a pellet screener. I figured that the pellets are pretty clean anyway but what the heck, I'll clean 'em anyway. Boy was I wrong. These pellets are FAR dirtier than any of the corn I've used in the last 7 years. I was really shocked at what was screened out. Never again will I dump straight from the bag into the stove.

Yes and some pellets are worst than others. They can take a beating in transport and the loading/off-loading process. Those fines, in great quantity can cause feed/auger issues so screening them is a good idea. I built a screener where I drop the pellets right from the bag into the screener which also has a vacuum attachment which removes all the airborne dust. I have pictures if you are interested.

Centurion wrote:


I'm always up for pictures. I probably would not go to that extreme to clean my pellets but you never know. Right now I jus let the wind take care of the airborne, lol.

Some stoves like a bixby feed system that don't feed off the bottom really collect the fines and they can just float out of the fire and not really contribute to heat but just more to clean. Clean now and enjoy a cleaner safer stove later.

Good Morning. Finally think got back to the forum. Had 2 ton pellets from last year and picked up a great buy at yard sale so have 3 ton. Usually burn about 7 ton combined corn/pellets in a year. (Friend likes temp like San Diego). Costs were about $200/ton or $4 a bag where I am. Corn going for about $280/Ton from local farmer. Due to thinking Propane would be better cost budgeted for more than usual Propane. (I usually use Propane early and late winter months to minimize on and off use of Countryside 3500). Due to bad back lately have delayed picking up the corn. Will try this weekend. I clean the corn in a fanning mill. (Open the garage door and let it fly) I also run the pellets through a slide cleaner and let the wind blow the fines away. I have found minimizes fine buildup in hopper. Mix about 60%corn 40% Pellets. May go higher with more pellets than corn after see how it burns. Anyway late start on burning and hedged to see if price would come down. (It didn't) I have not tried all pellets in my Countryside 3500 so if anyone has done this would like a reply. Thanks. UP NORT