pellet storage

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jimcope

New Member
Aug 1, 2008
86
howell mi
HI
I have 200 bags of hard wood propellets On my covered front porch. Should i cover them up? I heard the bags have small holes in them so the pellets can breath.
Thanks jim
 
Yes, I'd cover them. It's a bummer to see your expensive fuel reduced to a puffy mass of sawdust.
 
Since you already have a roof over them, I'd say that a good quality tarp over them, tied at the bottom, should be adequate. You DO have them up on pallets, right?, and not laying on the floor?
 
One thing I like about the pellet I got from Agway, they are vaccuum sealed...But I still cover them...
 
Thanks
Just got back from TCS they gave me 9 pallets to but my pellets on and I bought 3 12x20 tarps 2 for the pellets on the front porch and one for my fire wood.
Jim
 
On the storage question, I had 4 tons to pellets delivered earlier this year. I dont' have a garage, and my basment is not easily accessable from out side, so I built what i've called "pellet Stackers". Two of which are on my side porch (covered, but not walled in) and are essentially Cord-wood stackers with a deck board base - these hold 2 tons. I have these covered on top and sides with a heavy plastic tarp.

the other 2 tons are in a more fancy stacker, I've lined the botom, and exterior sides and back with presure treated decking, then LINED the interior sides with the plastic that was prevously covering the individual tons (as a rudimentary water barrier). The top and front are covered by a heavy plastic tarp, which I've tacked in place, and it over laps each side by a 1 and 1/2 inches. This stacker is NOT covered by any type of roof, and will get snowed on later this year...

Do I need to be concerned that my pellets are too exposed to an NE winter?

do i need get my pellets into the basment, I'd have to cary each bag individually through the house and into the basment, where I don't have a lot of room to begin with...

Thanks!
 
Gargravarr said:
On the storage question, I had 4 tons to pellets delivered earlier this year. I dont' have a garage, and my basment is not easily accessable from out side, so I built what i've called "pellet Stackers". Two of which are on my side porch (covered, but not walled in) and are essentially Cord-wood stackers with a deck board base - these hold 2 tons. I have these covered on top and sides with a heavy plastic tarp.

the other 2 tons are in a more fancy stacker, I've lined the botom, and exterior sides and back with presure treated decking, then LINED the interior sides with the plastic that was prevously covering the individual tons (as a rudimentary water barrier). The top and front are covered by a heavy plastic tarp, which I've tacked in place, and it over laps each side by a 1 and 1/2 inches. This stacker is NOT covered by any type of roof, and will get snowed on later this year...

Do I need to be concerned that my pellets are too exposed to an NE winter?

do i need get my pellets into the basment, I'd have to cary each bag individually through the house and into the basment, where I don't have a lot of room to begin with...

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Slid mine through a basement window down to a table. Don't know if you have a window or not, just a thought.
 
IMO I would be too worried about them everytime we get a Nor'easter.
Wet winds blowing sideways can get under a tarp pretty easy
and turn your pellets to mush.
 
200 bags on a porch? I'd be more concerned about the structural integrity of the porch. Thats 4 tons or 8000 lbs. I'm not so sure I'd put that much weight on my porch.
 
The porch is open? And where is Howell MI exactly?
 
Burn fast with that much weight on a porch unless it is a slab.

Eric
 
Thanks to All
Yes they are on a cement slab on a covered porch I have tham on pallets and coverd with tarps from TSC. TSC are out of pellets this year and do not think they are going to get any more in. they also sold all their Small pellets stoves. they are trying to get some more from USA stove.
Thanks Jim
 
heb80 said:
200 bags on a porch? I'd be more concerned about the structural integrity of the porch. Thats 4 tons or 8000 lbs. I'm not so sure I'd put that much weight on my porch.
Click to expand...

Well, "only" 2 tons on the porch, and I've already been through 6-7 bags, so that weight is deminishing daily ;-)

and in responding to another recomendation, I do not have a basment windo that actually opens..., there is a bulk head from the out side, but I can't get to that potion of the basement from inside with out crawling over the old stone foundation and onto a dirt floor (my house was built in 1880)

Regarding a noreaster, the tarp on the big stacker definately overlaps the edges and is drawn rather tight... I eventually plan to build a 'roof' and doors for this big stacker, but I wanted my carpenter friend to help me on that one...

HMMMmmm... I guess I should rethink my storage choices...
 
So far I am only burning wood air tight stove and have not used any pellets in my pellet stove, Its going down to 29 tonight and its 72 in in the house as of 9:30 PM. My son rents my bacement so I have the furnance fan running full time to spread the heat out. Last year I only used my furnance and kept it on 65 most of the time . It is so nice to sit in the living room now and feel warm.
Jim
 
I store outside. I just use the plastic overwrap off the pallets and a heavy duty waterproof tarp. I use those 50 lb bags of sand from HD to hold the edges down. Haven't had a problem in 7 years.
 
I find that very intereating, What are you pellets setting on? and what state are you from? I live in michigan. thanks jim
 
It must be a regional thing.
I was also worried about a PORCH with that much weight on it.

I would call an exterior covered concrete slab adjacent to a house a PATIO. When I think of a PORCH, I assume it is an elevated structure attached to a house and made wood floor joists and decking.

I'm not being picky, it is just interesting how things can be confused.
 
Do I did not think you were picky at all. I am happy that people are honest on this forum it has saved me a lot of money and solved a lot of problems. when I ask if I should put a tarp on my pellets the feed back I got was yes and then I was asked a question (you do have them on pallets dont you) I did not but two hours latter I did.
Down south people sit on there front porch here in mich people sit on there back deck. you are right it is a regional thing.
Jim
 
I was curious about what water would do to the pellets - so I took out a handful and put them in plastic bowl with water = they fall apart pretty fast! I made sure to move our bags to the basement away from the drains, washer and dryer vents.
 
coffee said:
I was curious about what water would do to the pellets - so I took out a handful and put them in plastic bowl with water = they fall apart pretty fast! I made sure to move our bags to the basement away from the drains, washer and dryer vents.
Click to expand...

keep them off the floor also....keep them on pallets
 
I had to stack two stacks (10 bags) on the floor, obviously they'll be the first to keep me warm. Im hoping there arent any adverse effects in a dry basement ( would assume not short term) but wonder what the long term ramifications could be
Eric
 
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