Pellet Storage????????????

[obillyboynurse]

I am new to all of this and have an Engalnder 25-PDVC.
This is my first season. I have a reliable pellet source for as much as there can be one this time of year.
They do a pre sale in the spring and you can order multiple tons.

I have no inside space to store them.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of a 3 sided frame that I would tarp????

Thank you all for any help.

 

[Souzafone]

Temperature changes can introduce moisture to sealed bags, outside storage is also a wildlife magnet. Get a cat.

 

[in-control]

Most dealers seem to store their pellets outside with a tarp overthem. I copy thier process and only open a pallet when I store 1 ton in my garage.

 

[TomPajak]

ask them how much it would be to store them.around here they store pellets for free but they get you on the price per ton..

 

[edhug]

I'm storing my pellets behind the house under tarps. I remove snow / ice after each storm.
So far --- no problems.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Most dealers seem to store their pellets outside with a tarp overthem. I copy thier process and only open a pallet when I store 1 ton in my garage.

This is why there are so many posts on this forum about bad pellets. Do not buy pellets that were stored outside at anytime. Nothing kills a pellet like condensation, moisture, rain, or any other form of water.

Eric

 

[in-control]

kinsman

A interesting observation but how would you know? They may change hands 2/3 times. Their is a truck depo by me that stored over 400 tons this way since August for one pellet mfg. Three weeks ago, they started to move them to dealers for sale - they tock the tarps off, loaded them on flat beds and they looked as good as new. How would the dealers even know since its pre-sale. I have also seen open flatbed trucks on the highway in driving rain transporting product. Thier really is no way to prove, after you have recieved product, what environment the product experienced.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

kinsman

A interesting observation but how would you know? They may change hands 2/3 times. Their is a truck depo by me that stored over 400 tons this way since August for one pellet mfg. Three weeks ago, they started to move them to dealers for sale - they tock the tarps off, loaded them on flat beds and they looked as good as new. How would the dealers even know since its pre-sale. I have also seen open flatbed trucks on the highway in driving rain transporting product. Thier really is no way to prove, after you have recieved product, what environment the product experienced.

You have to ask questions. I know where my pellets have been from the time the sawdust hit the mill before the pellet fairy waves her wand and turns them into pellets. I know this is not always the case with most dealers or pellet retail locations. I insist on it as a distributor or we do not do business. If I was buying pellets from someone I would not consider anything that was outside.

Eric

 

[Xena]

Do not buy pellets that were stored outside at anytime.

I don't think that's possible. Did you see the video someone posted recently
of a pellet mfg and how much they said they produce a day? In that video
there were tons and tons of pallets outside and wrapped. I would bet they
all do it this way.

Anyway, for four years I've been buying from pelletsales.com and they wrap
them very good. I've stored wrapped skids outside for 6 months or more
without a single pellet getting wet. Once I break down a skid I bring them in
the garage. Like I said, four yrs doing it this way and no pellets lost to moisture.

 

[smoke show]

Do not buy pellets that were stored outside at anytime.

I don't think that's possible. Did you see the video someone posted recently
of a pellet mfg and how much they said they produce a day? In that video
there were tons and tons of pallets outside and wrapped. I would bet they
all do it this way.

X2

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Then do not blame bad pellets for stove problems.

Eric

 

[obillyboynurse]

Wow not sure what way to go. I have never stored a large quantity outside I have been getting by the ton this season due to not knowing what I was heading in to. What I do have I tarp on the side porch and keep clear of rain and snow. With multiple tons I am just not sure we get some damn good storms over summers.
Thanks for all the input I will keep checking.

 

[old4x4]

I'm storing my pellets behind the house under tarps. I remove snow / ice after each storm.
So far --- no problems.

Same here. No problems.

 

[jtakeman]

Check here:

(broken link removed to http://www.btpellet.com/pricelist.html)

They store them outside as well.

But the guy I get mine from is indoors only! I never find the footballs in the corners of his!

The other places Wally, Tractor supply, home cheapy and lowes are hit and miss. Some good, some bad.

I do know that once you open the skid you'd be better off to get them indoors. I lost 20 bags thinkin I could just cover them with a tarp. They burned after drying in my woodstove but useless for the pellet stove.

I'd take Erics warning! There's no place like in doors.

 

[in-control]

Do not buy pellets that were stored outside at anytime.

I don't think that's possible. Did you see the video someone posted recently
of a pellet mfg and how much they said they produce a day? In that video
there were tons and tons of pallets outside and wrapped. I would bet they
all do it this way.

X2

X3

 

[rowerwet]

If you must store outside, keep them out of direct sun, keep the pallet wrapped the way it came, put a hard cover like plywood or steel roofing, etc. over it to keep rain off the outer plastic, make sure there is airspace between the top of the pellets and the hard cover. the north side of your house should keep them out of the direct sun, and an awning or porch will help alot.

 

[Dr_Drum]

I have never heard of or seen pellets transported in covered trailers, so at some point in their travels they are all probably exposed to rain. The difference in my opinion is how they are cared for after the protective plastic wrap is removed. I wont buy anything off an already unwrapped pallet at Wally's, but if I unwrap it myself the bags are always dry. Even if I had to bail off the collected water on top of the stack. I am more concerned about storing them in my humid basement all summer than leaving them outside in their original wrapping.
Mike -