Wood Stove Pellets – Hardwood vs. Softwood

[berkua]

 Hello everyone,

I just got off the phone with my local Lowes store (I spoke with Home Depot, as well, but they don’t seem to be as helpful there) and this is what they have in the form of wood stove pellet:

40 pound bag for $3.94
They are untreated
They are hardwood

I know there is a debate about the effectiveness of hardwood vs. softwood, but since I have no other use for a 40lb. bag of wood pellets, I thought I should clarify before I go purchase the bag.

How many of you have had experiences with either type of pellet?  Do you prefer one over the other?  Is it safe for the rabbits to nibble on?

I thank you all in advance for your contributing answers and I look forward to the discussion!

 

 

[Sarita]

The hardwoods are treated and processed so that the phenols that cause high liver enzymes are removed. I can only find pine pellets where I live as well (horse bedding) as well.

They should be safe to use. That’s a great deal as well.

[berkua]

I thought we wanted to get untreated pellets.  When you say that the hardwoods are treated and processed so that the phenols that cause high liver enzymes are removed, are you referring to something different than the untreated pellet conversations others are having?

Obviously, we are all looking for an inexpensive, but safe form of litter.  For $4 per 40 pound bag, I am ready to jump on it, but I would never want to put my bunny in a dangerous situation.  

To confirm, an untreated hardwood pellet is going to be safe, absorbent, and odor reducing?  (I don’t remember whether it was hardwood or softwood, but someone else in the forums were saying that one of these types aren’t very absorbent, and turn to sludge when urine is introduced).

Thanks!

 

[Sarita]

Actually you don’t want it treated with accelerants.  That’s what is meant by untreated.

[tobyluv]

I’m glad to know that Lowe’s has them. There is a Lowe’s close to me. I had stopped in at Home Depot a few months ago and the sales person that I spoke with had no idea what wood stove pellets were. $3.94 is so much cheaper than what I am paying for the Aspen Supreme Pellets and Yesterday’s News. There aren’t any feed stores or tractor supply stores near me, which is where I have always heard you had to go to find wood stove pellets.

[jerseygirl]

By “treated” I think Sarita was referring to the pelleting process.

Personally I found the softwood pellets to be better at odour control and absorption. They didn’t disintergrated as badly. Though I assume it was softwood, it was just lighter in colour. The reddish ones did turn “muddy” and left dark residue in the litterbox. I think partly they were too processed more like a finer compressed sawdust then the what the lighter coloured ones were.

[KatnipCrzy]

My husband thought the hardwood pellets worked better- and other than hardwood it was not specified- but to me that must mean oak, maple, etc. Softwood should be more like pine. Personally I thought they worked about the same and I don’t think you will notice much of a difference though you could experiment and see.
My husband also thought the horse pine pellet bedding did not work as well as the pine WSP that we are notw using. Again- personally did not know what he was talking about- I noticed no difference. But since he should feel like his opinion counts and I don’t care either way- we buy the pellets he likes best- they are cheapest anyway.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I thought we wanted to get untreated pellets. When you say that the hardwoods are treated and processed so that the phenols that cause high liver enzymes are removed, are you referring to something different than the untreated pellet conversations others are having?

I think what she meant is, in pine/cedar their are naturally occuring aromatic hydrocarbons (that nice smell) that cause liver damage. So when they are removed they are safe.
Untreated is different-that means there is no flammable hydrocarbonsadded to it (fuels and accelerants) that are added for the actual use, which is fire

[Elrohwen]

I can only seem to find hardwood pellets here and they work fine. They’re as safe as softwood.

I am curious about which works better, but unless I can find a supply of softwood pellets I’ll never know.

[Author]

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