Best Wood Pellets of 2016–2017
Flashback time! The best wood pellets of 2016–2017 featured some of the most consistent performers we’ve tested. These rankings were based on user-submitted reviews, hands-on burn tests, ash output, and overall performance during the heating season. Even years later, many of these names still hold up in today’s market.
Here’s how things stacked up across the East Coast, Central U.S., and West Coast.
Top Pellets – East Coast
Cubex / Northern
High BTU hardwood pellets that delivered consistently hot burns. Great for colder climates and dense enough to limit hopper jams.
Vermont Wood Pellets
Widely regarded as one of the cleanest softwood pellets on the East Coast. Very low ash and smooth burning.
Maine Woods
A reliable blend that performed well across various stoves. Affordable and widely available in New England.
Hamer’s Hot Ones
Always near the top. Dense hardwood pellets with strong heat output and minimal ash — a go-to for many homeowners.
Okanagan Doug Fir
West Coast Douglas Fir pellets available on the East Coast — hot burning and super clean.
New England Wood Pellets
Dependable blended pellet. Worked well in a range of stove brands and was easy to source locally.
Logik-e Softwoods / PWI
Premium pellets with solid performance in both BTU output and ash management.
Top Pellets – Central U.S.
ProPellet
Michigan-made hardwood pellet that consistently burned hot with low dust and ash content. A regional favorite.
SIH Pellets
Hardwood and blended varieties that held up well through the season. Moderate ash with good heat value.
Kirtland
Another solid midwestern blend pellet with reliable results, particularly in older stoves.
Top Pellets – West Coast
Golden Fire
Extremely low moisture content and ash — one of the top West Coast softwood pellets by any measure.
Clean Burn
Clean, dry, and hot — made from Douglas Fir and known for smooth feeding and strong BTUs.
Packsaddle Pellets
Excellent Douglas Fir pellets out of Oregon with super low ash and very little variation bag to bag.
Review Summary
Even back in 2016–2017, many of the same names we see today were leading the pack. If you’re burning some older bags or buying from long-established brands, these rankings give you a benchmark on how they’ve performed historically.
Want More Pellet Rankings?
- Best Wood Pellets of 2023
- Best Wood Pellets of 2024
- Best Wood Pellets of 2025
- Best Softwood Pellets
- Best Hardwood Pellets
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