How to Store Wood Pellets - Traeger Grills (2024)

Start with the Best Pellets

Traeger makes its premium wood pellets from 100% natural, food-grade hardwood. When properly kept, Traeger pellets create the optimal burn for wood-fired flavor. However, poor pellet quality, often the result of sub-optimal storage, is the No.1 cause of temperature issues.

Poor storage is not always the fault of the grill owner. New bags of pellets sometimes get compromised during shipping. To check that a pellet is top quality, look for a nice sheen on it. When broken in half, there should be a clean snap with no crumbling. Note: Some sawdust at the bottom of the bag is normal, but if there is a lot of it or if the saw dust clumps, the pellets may have been compromised. (In such cases, bring them back to your retailer or contact Traeger customer support.) Do keep in mind, however, that Traeger only guarantees the quality of its own pellets and not that of other brands.

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How to Store Wood Pellets - Traeger Grills (1)

Keep Pellets Dry for Best Grill Performance

To protect your pellets, it's important to keep them dry. Because our pellets are 100% natural and don’t have artificial fillers, moisture can expand the wood and make it crumbly. Crumbly pellets can clog the grill's auger and may fail to ignite.

To store pellets properly, keep them dry and airtight. In arid locations, it's fine to keep unopened bags of pellets in the garage. But if you live in a humid region, moisture can seep even into unopened bags if left in the garage. To counter this, either place the unopened bags in a large airtight storage bin in the garage or move the pellets into a dry area inside.

Once you have opened your bag of pellets, it's even more crucial to protect them from moisture. While you can leave pellets in your grill's hopper for the short term when you know the weather will be dry, you should remove them from the hopper and store them airtight when prolonged rain or high humidity is forecast.

The Best Storage Option: The Traeger StayDry Bin

The Traeger Staydry Pellet Bin is the perfect receptacle for pellets. Not only can its 22-lb capacity hold a full bag of pellets, it was also designed to fit perfectly under the hopper on our newer model grills so you can easily empty the pellets right into the bin whether for drier storage or simply to swap flavors. It's rectangle shape is also stackable and storage friendly.

Pro tip: Get a few bins and use the pre-labeled flavor stickers and/or the six blank stickers so you can quickly identify stored pellet flavors, even if they’re your own custom blend.

How to Store Wood Pellets - Traeger Grills (2)

How to Store Wood Pellets - Traeger Grills (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Wood Pellets - Traeger Grills? ›

In arid locations, it's fine to keep unopened bags of pellets in the garage. But if you live in a humid region, moisture can seep even into unopened bags if left in the garage. To counter this, either place the unopened bags in a large airtight storage bin in the garage or move the pellets into a dry area inside.

How should I store my Traeger pellets? ›

The ideal storage for wood pellet fuel is a clean, dry, air-tight plastic container. The North American pellet manufacturer Energex suggests using an FDA-approved airtight storage bucket to keep out any environmental elements such as water.

Can I leave pellets in my Traeger? ›

You want to remove pellets when you're not grilling because moisture can reach them when left in the hopper for an extended period. If there's anything you need to know about your hardwood, it's that moisture is no bueno.

How long do Traeger pellets stay fresh? ›

There isn't an exact lifespan for stored pellets. It all depends on how well it is stored and the environment. Store pellets in a dry, airtight container. Moisture and humidity will affect the pellet quality.

Where to put Traeger pellets? ›

It's easy to scoop your wood pellets into your pellet grill hopper, close the lid, and turn the switch to ON. Depending on cooking time, you may have to add more pellets to the hopper, but you never have to worry about soaking, stirring, poking, or prodding.

Should you empty unused pellets after using Traeger? ›

Do: Empty your hopper after using your grill. Leaving unused pellets in your hopper can cause them to rot since they will be exposed to the elements of your outdoor environment.

Is it safe to store wood pellets in your house? ›

Indoor Storage:

Because pellets are extremely susceptive to moisture, it is best to keep them indoors if possible. We recommend storing pellet in the garage or basem*nt. Pellet may release carbon monoxide when stored in a warm area so the cooler the location the better.

How long can pellets sit in the hopper? ›

In mild climates, it's usually fine to leave pellets in your Grilla pellet grill's hopper for up to a a month at a time. If you're in a humid climate, or if you don't use your grill often, it's a good idea to use the pellet dump to remove unused pellets from your grill.

What happens if you run Traeger without pellets? ›

Running out of Pellets: Running out of pellets means your flame has no fuel, so of course, your grill is not able to stay hot.

Are Traeger pellets ruined if they get wet? ›

Because our pellets are 100% natural and don't have artificial fillers, moisture expands the wood and ultimately breaks it down completely. So unless you keep 'em dry, you can kiss your dreams of having a burning hot grill goodbye. Know a good pellet when you see one.

What is the lawsuit against Traeger? ›

Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Traeger wrongfully and unfairly deceived the public and its customers by misrepresenting that its wood pellets comprise one type of wood, when in fact the pellets comprise a different type of less expensive wood containing flavored oils to masquerade as more expensive, sought- ...

How to tell if Traeger pellets are bad? ›

To check that a pellet is top quality, look for a nice sheen on it. When broken in half, there should be a clean snap with no crumbling. Note: Some sawdust at the bottom of the bag is normal, but if there is a lot of it or if the saw dust clumps, the pellets may have been compromised.

What is the best storage for pellets? ›

Usually, the best way to store your grill pellets is in a plastic container with a sealable lid. Here are the two most widely used wood pellet storage ideas: Plastic Dog Food Bins: These snap-seal pet food containers are also great for storing wood pellets.

Is it okay to keep a Traeger outside? ›

If a Traeger is stored outside during wet weather, water can get into the Pellet Hopper. When pellets get wet, they expand and can clog the auger. Additionally, a Traeger cannot cook with wet wood. If you do not have a cover, take extra care to keep the pellet hopper covered and away from any water.

Can you use Traeger in a garage? ›

If possible, position your grill in an area that's protected from harsh winds. That said, never attempt to use your pellet grill inside a garage or have it too close to a wall or overhang, which can be a fire hazard.

How long can I leave pellets in the hopper? ›

However, to be on the safe side, even under such weather conditions, please do not leave the wood pellets in the hopper for more than a week. How long you can safely leave wood pellets in the hopper of your pellet grill/smoker depends on the time of year and your general climate overall.

How do you make pellets last longer? ›

STORING WOOD PELLETS IN BAGS

Here's how to make the most of them: Choose suitable bags: Opt for durable bags that ensure ventilation. Fill them correctly: Avoid tight compression to prevent pellet damage. Check the seal: Use airtight seals to keep moisture and pests at bay.

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