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  1. Cooper New Member

    joined: Nov 13, 2011
    98 posts
    Wilmington,Ma
    How do you guys keep your outdoor pellet stacks dry? Is there a square tarp they sell or any tips?
    I want to stack my own pallets outside and keep moisture out! Thanks for any replies
    #1

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  2. greg13 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Jan 5, 2012
    374 posts
    CNY
    Plastic tarp & bungee cords.
  3. subsailor Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 8, 2011
    1,315 posts
    Winthrop, Maine
    Put em in the basement?
  4. DexterDay Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 11, 2010
    9,059 posts
    NE Ohio
    Best bet is indoor storage. Once the factory outside wrap comes off? All bets are off. . .

    If your gonna store outdoors, please have a LARGE tarp.

    Pellet bags have a lot of holes in them. So if a bag gets moisture on the outside, it will transfer to the inside.
    SwineFlue likes this.
  5. oldmountvernon Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 27, 2011
    2,157 posts
    SE Mass
    i had many tons outside then a mouse created a resort lol he had all his favorite vacation destinations built
  6. oldmountvernon Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 27, 2011
    2,157 posts
    SE Mass
    also when using a tarp, you will have condensation i had big puddles on top of pallets but the cover stopped penetration
  7. Bioburner Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 4, 2012
    840 posts
    West central Mn
    Vermin hate moth balls-napthalene. Even when I store indoors I salt things with em. I move the pellets into house in late fall and use glue traps.
  8. oldmountvernon Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 27, 2011
    2,157 posts
    SE Mass
    ya i got them out there now, also peppermint oil
  9. subsailor Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 8, 2011
    1,315 posts
    Winthrop, Maine
    It sounds like the OP is planning on buying by the bag and stacking, so he wouldn't have that extra protection you had.
  10. oldmountvernon Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 27, 2011
    2,157 posts
    SE Mass
    yes but my point is there were huge puddles on top of the pallets while under cover not good
  11. subsailor Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 8, 2011
    1,315 posts
    Winthrop, Maine
    I agree. Even worse when the only thing under the tarp is the bags. The puddles would be on, or in, them.
  12. latichever Member

    joined: Apr 14, 2006
    66 posts
    I've stored many tons under tarps with bungee cords, and bricks to hold down the tarp edges. The pellets have stayed dry, but the arrangement is unsightly. Considering that pallets of pallets are fairly standrd in length and width (if not in height given there are 1 ton and 1.3 ton skiffs), I think there'd be a market for a tarp that would go over the pallet like a fitted sheet. It would have some kind of tie on top to neatly gather the excess as the pile goes down, and some kind of waterproof flap on the side to get at the pellets without having to pull the whole cover off.

    I live in an urban setting without a garage, but I'm considering something like this, $219.99 at http://www.shelterlogic.com/Product...6bc-4724-849b-9df80095b3e8&CategoryName=Sheds
    [IMG]
  13. tony58 Member

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    Do the mice/rats eat the pellets or just make holes looking for something to eat?I'm using some pellets thats been in a shed for 2 years.The last few bags had small holes in them.Guess I'II have to get some bate out...
  14. oldmountvernon Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 27, 2011
    2,157 posts
    SE Mass
    they use the plastic for nests
  15. glenc0322 Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2011
    555 posts
    long Island NY
    I store them inside and in the basement also have a dehumidifier in the same room during the summer works good for me except loading them in the basement sucks
  16. my delivery person stacks them for me of course for a little extra well worth it and they are always inside!
  17. mralias Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 29, 2008
    617 posts
    MA
    Besides covered real good, keep them off the ground.

    Side note: A few years ago I stored two tons of hardwood pellets outside, covered with two tarps and on pallets stacked two high. I did clear snow or water off the top of the covers and around the sides when I saw it. All 100 bags were fine with no water damage or moisture issues, no rodent issues after 1 year outside. I do now store 4 tons inside only.
  18. gfreek Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 5, 2010
    508 posts
    Wyoming Cty,Western NY
    I stored 2 tons in a vinyl garage like above. Used pallets to keep off the ground, and double wrapped them with tarps. Mice & squirrels got into some of the bags, so there were about 6 bags that I didn't use figuring too much moisture,,, afew were just junk with moisture...

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