Is it OK to store pellet bags outside under a tarp?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.

Ed Churilla

Member
May 14, 2013
51
pittsburgh PA
been putting them in my garage past few years--any issues with storing outside under cover of a tarp? Looking for some input before I unload.

Thanks in advance
 
My stash sits outside all year. I had 4.5 tons at the beginning of last season & only burned 3,
& THAT 4.5 tons was from the season BEFORE...
The last pallet is still sitting where it was dropped two years ago & is still factory wrapped.
I got three more tons at the end of May to take advantage of a sale & free delivery.
I covered them with a tarp & they're gonna stay covered til I need to start burning.
Hopefully THAT will be some time in November.
 
Thanks for the info-wish I had a way to offload my truck so I didn't have to break down the pallets. But I'll have to break it open and re-stack it and cover it. I'll store this years supply outside and try and keep it covered as best I can.
 
As DAKSY said, shrink rap yourself then tarp if needed for extra protection. I left three ton outside all last season and broke them down, brought it in 1/2 ton at a time as I needed them. No issues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bucks Pellets
You can buy rolls of 20" x 1000' shrink wrap for about $20. I think I'd do that before I threw the tarp on.

I stored 6 tons in my yard from spring 2016 until just a month or so ago. I had to break down 4 of those tons because the deliverer did not place them where I wanted them (next to the other two tons - duh :rolleyes:). Anyway, I recovered each of the re-stacked pallets with the original covers, added a layer of 6 mil plastic on top (covering all 6 tons), then used the shrink wrap that was mentioned by others. Then, on top of that I used a heavy duty tarp.

Everything stayed nice and dry. There wasn't even any condensation when I unwrapped them and moved them, by hand into my house this summer.
 
I keep mine outside under 4x4x4 pallet tarps, and on top of an old pallet. I need to bring them in when ground is frozen so I leave one for the following year. Didn't burn pellets last year, so I've now broken into a ton sitting out there two years. They give up 5 maybe 10 degrees but otherwise fine, unless critters get into 'em, but mostly they're too busy inside the house (ugh).

I do get a bit of condensation within the factory wrap sometimes, but it doesn't seem to spoil the party. Much.

Cheers,
- Jeff
 
I have stored pallets of pellets outside since Spring 2016. Some still in the factory plastic and some stacked individual bags.
I cover with thick canvas tarps I purchased from Chicago Canvas. All has worked well. I use a 12ft x 14ft canvas to cover
an individual pallet and a 14ft. x 16ft tarp to cover two pallets side by side. In August, Chicago Canvas runs 50% off sales of
pink canvas tarps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bogieb
They give up 5 maybe 10 degrees but otherwise fine

Updating since I finally took an actual measurement - I found that after the 2nd year outside my Okie Plats burned 50 degrees colder.

The 5-10 degrees mentioned above was a 1 year measurement.

Sorry if I led anyone "down the path". I won't be keeping them outside for two years again, if I can help it. If I do, they'll be shoulder pellets afterward!

Best,
- Jeff
 
Last edited: