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Somerset Wood Pellets

100% Hardwood – Premium Grade Fuel

Reviewed by the editors Updated August 2, 2026 36 owner ratings · 21 written

Our score 4.5 Editors · out of 5
Owners 2.3 36 ratings
  • 5★ 2
  • 4★ 3
  • 3★ 7
  • 2★ 15
  • 1★ 9

Somerset Wood Pellets

Somerset Wood Pellets are manufactured from kiln-dried hardwoods such as oak, maple, hickory and cherry, using residual sawdust and wood fibers from a hardwood flooring/lumber production facility. They’re designed for high-performance residential heating—close to 100% hardwood, ultra-low bark content, minimal fines.

Typical specs list less than 1% ash and less than 0.5% fines, with high BTU output and low sodium (under 300 ppm) for clean burning. Bag size: 40 lb; pallet: 50 bags. Manufactured in Kentucky and distributed via pellet dealers across the U.S.

Status note: The brand remains active and clearly displays “100% Hardwoods,” “Less than 1% ash” and “High BTU” in its marketing. Availability is region-dependent—because it’s a true hardwood fuel, stock may be tighter and price somewhat higher than blended options.

Bottom line: If you want a pellet fuel made from true hardwood species, engineered for clean burn and solid heat output, Somerset Wood Pellets are a strong choice—just verify bag date, storage condition, and local availability before buying by the ton.

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Owner reviews

21 written reviews

  1. Ryan McGomery

    I'm glad that I'm not the only one that has seen somerset pellets go to shit the last couple years. The darker pellets, that's contaminants or bark. I called the factory last year, they told me it was from a new pellet press.

    Liked

    Getting harder to find any.....pros

    Disliked

    More clinkers, more ash, less heat

  2. Ace

    Stopped by to also express my concerns with them these last two years. Pellets last year started to soot up the glass within a few hours of fully cleaning the stove. Have been a customer for well over 15 years. Same issue this year and both stoves the glass is blacked out. Noticed the pellets were burning with green and blue a few times. Unfortunately we're going a different route next year. Two seasons is enough.

    Liked

    Was a wonderful product that we truly enjoyed. The ambiance of the fire and heat was stellar

    Disliked

    Tons of cleaning
    Glass is completely blacked out withing a few hours
    Can no longer enjoy the fire
    Inferior product compared to another brand we just tried

  3. Paul Whisman

    I agree, not the same quality as before. Burns through much more quickly, I would get 24 hours / bag now I get about 18 hours. Somerset has gone way down in quality. Hopefully they get the issues resolved. Ive been a customer for 18 years.

    Liked

    They have the best and strongest bag.

    Disliked

    Pellets quality has gone way down.

  4. Pat Mcglennen

    bought 3 tons for this winter more than usual ash ,also opened a new bag this morning and a big piece of rubber was in the 4in x 4 in all tore up damn glad this didnt get in my auger been buying somersets for 4 yrs might have to find a different pellet

  5. WAYNE S GARRISON

    I bought 3 ton last summer, I have many problems with them, they smoke and have twice as much ash as the year before the pellets are bi color dark and lighter. They are adding bark and soft woods to the batches. I have been burning summerset for the las 10 years, I have a ton in my garage for 2 years ago, no comparison I will not be using summerset next year I have never had to do a complete cleaning every 3 rd day like now, I will be searching for a alternative

    Liked

    Used to be the best

    Disliked

    they are adding bark and softwoods to the batches , causing soot and smoking issues

  6. LLOYD LEE

    BAD BUY AGAIN

    Liked

    NONE

    Disliked

    The pellets have changed some not quite as dark as last year but no way as good as they have been i bought 4 ton at menards never again the black crap build up caused a small chimney fire sparks very large flying out I HAVE HAD ENOUGH

  7. Sherrill Koehn

    I used to think I was getting quality pellets when I purchased Somerset, but this winter season has changed my opinion. The pellets are different colors, they are chopped in tiny pieces and the bags were split on the side seams when I bought the whole pallet. They don't burn as well...my firepot fills up with ash a lot quicker and I have so much more black soot build up. I don't know what they did, but this company made poor pellets this time.

  8. Cindy Scalzi

    I don’t know who left this last review but it’s 2024 and I’ve used these pellets back in 2022. They were decent so I ordered them again. This year they’re burning dirty. I have a brand new Quadrafire Trekker which my last pallet burned another brand. No ash no clinkers. Then I opened these Sommerset, I don’t know if it’s a bad batch but dear Lord it’s disgusting. Masa I’ve clinkers and triple ash put out. I couldn’t possibly recommend these to any of my friends.

    Liked

    Gave decent heat

    Disliked

    Tons of ash and clinkers daily

  9. KEN POTTORF

    Wood Pellets

    Liked

    Good strong bags

    Disliked

    Not producing the heat that they have in the past. I am burning more pellets due to having to turn up the thermostat on my pellet stove. Not very happy so far.

  10. Anog

    Changed pellets and not for the better

    Liked

    The bags are strong and don't tear easily. Lol

    Disliked

    They don't put out heat like they use to. Clogs the stove and need constant cleaning. Heat isn't as hot bc ash builds up

  11. Gregg

    Yup, very disappointed. 2021-22 burning season went through 170 bags and were the light brown and burned great. 22-23 went through 184 bags and the change came about half way through mixed with dark pellets and a lot of bags all dark. 23-24 have used 118 bag with maybe 10 light brown and the rest mixed or all dark. Been getting these at Menards but will be changing to TSC or Lowe’s, maybe Royal King

  12. Jim

    Somerset Wood Pellets

    Liked

    I have been using Somerset Pellets for many year and have had good luck with them, up until this year.

    Disliked

    I bought 2 tons of the pellets this fall and noticed when I opened the first bag the color of the pellets had changed. It was a mixture of dark pellets and light colored pellets. When I burn them they leave a lot of ash and clog up my burn pot with crispy ash. I have to stop my stove 2 or 3 times a day to clean out the burn pot. I have never had this problem in the past. I could burn for days and the burn pot would be free of ash. I have tried turning up the fan that blows through the burn pot and cleaned out the stove and stove pipe with no help.

  13. Mark McGovern

    Moisture content, very high, causing pellet stove to shut down

    Liked

    Only ones available when all other brands were sold out

    Disliked

    Very disappointed. I have not been able to get through a single bag without the pellets, kicking up and clogging the burner tray and shutting down the pellet stove. Found the moisture content to be very high after doing the microwave test which consist of putting a handful of these pellets in a Super Bowl, and covering with a saucer plate and microwave on high for one minute. After this test, I removed the saucer plate and found an excessive amount of condensation on the plate which indicated the moisture content was very high, causing the pellets to kick up and not burn.

  14. Matt

    Bernie nail it they suck this year....

  15. PETE LEE

    The change they made in manufacturing was a big mistake. Pellets now do not burn hot and ash is really bad. For the higher price i paid for these --BIG MISTAKE WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

    Liked

    GO BACK BEFORE YOU GO BROKE

    Disliked

    NO LONGER A GOOD CHOICE FOR PELLETS WAS GREAT FOR 15 YEARS

  16. KimAbish

    I don’t like the new darker pellets they burn ok but way too much ash and black suet Please go back to your original pellets they were so much better I don’t want to have to switch brands

    Liked

    Burn ok

    Disliked

    New pellets are messy and don’t last as long pls go back to last years pellet recipe

  17. Jeff Ford

    Been using Sommerset pellets for 10 years without problem. I am burning throu my first pallet for 2024 and have build up issues that I have nevre had before, The ash rake in the top of my St. Croix stove got so much buildup within 10 bags that I can not even move it now. I also see a color difference in the pellets. I don't know what they have done but it sure is not working for me.

  18. Have used somerset for the past 5 years never disappoint. This year they seemed to be different darker in color and ALOT more ash than usual. Not sure what's changed but they're not lasting as long.

    Have us

  19. Bernie

    New two color pellets bad.

    Liked

    Bad

    Disliked

    Just started using new skid of Somerset. They are two colors light and dark.
    Burn quickly and lots of ash. Shut burner down by plugging with ash.
    If you see two colors do not buy.

  20. Steve Kitchen

    I have used a pellet stove for around 25 years (15 on first stove with 10 on current stove). Of all the types I have burned, Somerset is by far the best. They burn hot and clean. I burn 3 plus ton per year, and this year only had about 5-6 gallon of ash. Can burn 4-5 days with out cleaning burn pot out on lower settings, compared to 1-2 days with other brands which generate 20-30 gallon of ash per season. As long as I can get the Somerset pellets nothing else will go into my stove. If you have had issues with these pellets you probably should check your settings on your stove since they can effect how well your pellets will burn.

    Liked

    Best pellets I ever used!

    Disliked

    None

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