Storing Wood Pellets Outside
It’s not always possible to store your wood pellets inside. If you don’t have room to store your pellets in the garage or basem*nt, the next best thing is a shed or shelter in a raised, dry place. If you can only store pellets outside – you can do that too. You just have a few extra steps to take, starting with inspecting your fuel when it arrives.
Your fuel is carefully wrapped and protected with a plastic shroud before it’s sent out for delivery. Upon inspection, repair any rips or holes in the plastic shrouding with water-proof tape or additional layers of plastic.
Next, add a a securely fastened tarp over your fuel, to protect it from water and from any birds or small animals that may try to puncture the plastic to make a home. Empty milk jugs filled with sand or water tied to the edge of the tarp is a great way to prevent it from flying up!
There are 50 bags on each one ton pallet, which stands about four feet tall. If you bought 1.5-ton pallets, there are 75 bags stacked about six feet tall.The wooden pallets the fuel is stacked and wrapped on top of are 40 by 48 inches. Make sure your tarp is large enough to cover your pallets entirely.
>> Make your own tarp out of empty wood pellet bags!Follow the directions on ourDIY pellet bag water blob article, and just make it into a square or rectangle instead of a pouch.
Your pellets should be stored in an area free from any water pooling or flooding. Direct water contact from below may cause water damage and render the pellets to its original form: sawdust. Also, be mindful of any irrigation heads or water spray paths as well. Even if you have securely fastened your tarp, it’s a good idea to check on your fuel once in a while, just to make sure chipmunks haven’t started a neighborhood!
If you are storing your fuel outside during the heating season as well,keep using the tarp and the shroud. Simply remove the protective wrap and carefully slice the shroud on the top edge of the pallet to be able to slip the top bags out. Use the shroud to protect the bags, and re-cover with the tarp.
>> Check out this simple trick that helps prevent liquid from pooling on the top!
When the snow comes, shovel a path to your fuel and shovel around the entire pallet. This effort will keep the snow off your fuel and help prevent any water and/or ice damage. Continue to use the shroud and tarp to protect your fuel from snow and ice. Don’t forget to keep checking on it!
Storing Wood Pellets Inside
We recommend storing your fuel inside in a dry area free from flooding, mold, and excessive humidity. Inside storage is really your best bet for efficient storage. If you have the space, reuse the wooden pallet your fuel arrived on. Place it in a dry area, put cardboard over the pallet, and stack your bags on top. The pallet is built to hold weight, so you can stack your pellets nice and high.
>> Read, “How to Safely Stack 3 Tons of Pellets in a Small Garage”
The 40 by 48 inch pallets might not be ideal for your space. Sometimes it’s more practical to ditch the pallet and stack in a narrow space, as pictured. (Check out our Pinterest page to see some ways to re-use wood pallets!)Re-stacking in specific spaces takes a little extra time and work, but it’s a great way to save some precious room.
