Natural wood pellets are one of the best fuels for delicious grilling, but what’s the best way to store them? How to store wood pellets for grilling.
Using wood pellets is one of the most cost effective and energy efficient methods of grilling, so it’s no surprise that pellet smokers have become very popular.
Pellet smoker grills use about a pound per hour of cooking, making them more economical to use than charcoal, electricity, and even propane. It doesn’t take long to add up to those savings if you’re fond of smoking large cuts of meat like roast pork, brisket, or shoulder especially.
One of the best ways to save even more is to buy your wood pellets in bulk. It’s easy to buy bags over 20(sometimes even 40) pounds to save.
But what do you do with all the granules that you haven’t used? Like any type of wood, pellets can quickly deteriorate if not given the proper care they need. The good news is that proper storage couldn’t be easier. In our guide, we show you how best to store them and what to avoid.
Do wood pellets spoil?
Wood pellets are easily spoiled and rotted because they are made of natural hardwood that can easily absorb moisture. Wood pellets in poor condition begin to lose their taste and also their energy efficiency. Not only can this mean boring food, but YOU will face more of a challenge trying to maintain good heat while cooking.
Wet or decomposed pellets can also soften which can cause them to clog the hopper or auger. If bad enough, it can lead to mechanical failure and worse, a broken smoker.
The best way to store wood pellets for grilling
Once YOU have your sacks of wood pellets, instead of just leaving them in the sacks they came with, YOU should follow these simple rules for best results.
Use multi-gallon plastic containers. The pros trust them and if they’re good enough for them, they’re good enough for us. Once you receive your granules, pour them into the containers and close the lid. These bins are built to lock in moisture and keep your pellets as fresh as possible. For best results, make sure they are airtight and FDA approved. If they can help protect food from bacteria, they can protect our granules from moisture.
I recommend the Buddeez Kingsford Kaddy( see prices on Amazon ). It was originally designed for charcoal, but it’s also airtight and can hold a perfect 40-pound bag of pellets.
Here are some other great containers. These are widely available in many stores, but I’ve provided Amazon links for convenience:
Dry environment
As with foods like rice or pasta, it’s important to store your pellets in a dry environment. With the containers too, we want to make sure we do everything we can to prevent any form of moisture from coming into contact with the granules and making them wet or mushy. This includes the humidity.
100% natural pellets are always the best fuel option for your pellet grill or smoker, but their composition means moisture can expand and ultimately degrade the wood they contain. This means that keeping them dry is extremely important.
The good news is that they can be stored indoors or outdoors as long as they avoid moisture. The exterior can cause problems with moisture, so the winter months are often the best option for the exterior.
Keep away from open storage in damp basements or leaky sheds. Closets or closets are often the best option. If you have a dry garage, consider installing a storage closet there for your pellet hoppers. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a pantry, this could also be a viable solution.
Do not use ziplock bags. Despite what people may think, they are not actually airtight.
Avoid the heat
Do not store your pellets near heat sources. Keeping them near fireplaces, kettles, water heaters, and even cars can generate enough direct heat or radiation to cause problems. They can aggravate moisture problems or even create a fire hazard.
Avoid the apartments
Don’t leave your pellets on the ground. Floor surfaces can easily get wet, even without spills or rain. Keep your pellets off the floor, ideally on a shelf or in a raised cabinet.
If you’re short on shelf or closet space, try a pallet or even a plain piece of 2×4 on the floor. As long as they don’t touch the wet floor, you should be fine.
Open only when ready to use
One of the best ways to ensure the longevity of the granules is to not open the packaging until you are ready to use them. Don’t just put them in containers like that.
Additionally, if you have multiple bags of pellets, YOU follow the first-in, first-out principle of filling your bins with pellets from the implemented bag.
Stacking
If you come across more than one bag of granules, be careful how you stack them. Stacking them on top of each other can put official stress on the granules, which puts them at risk of warping.
It’s best to stack them back and forth. This helps relieve and improve pressure on the bags, also airflow between them to reduce moisture.
The granules taste bad
Remember to inspect the pellets before grilling. Pick up a few before loading the hopper and try to break them. If they don’t break, they may be damp or just not fresh enough to use. If they have absorbed too much moisture, they are unusable.
Other signs your pellets are bad are if they don’t have a good shine. So watch out for any crumbling. If they shine and break, they’re good for the funnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you leave pellets in the hopper?
no leaving unused pellets in the smoker can expose them to moisture in the air, humidity, or even rain. Any of these factors can cause the granules to absorb moisture and rot. Many pellet smoker grills have a door or a cleaning feature on the hopper, making it easy to dump deep pellets. Use it to empty the hopper after each use and fill the pellets in an airtight container for the next use.
How long do wood pellets last?
With minimal exposure to moisture, stored wood pellets have a shelf life of approximately 6 months before beginning to fade. If stored in a high humidity environment, they will only last 1-3 months.
Can you leave the wood pellets outside?
Storing pellets indoors is the best way to ensure they are protected, but this is not always possible. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A DRY GARAGE OR INDOOR STORAGE, YOU CAN STORE THEM IN THE SHED OR OUTDOOR SHUTTLE AS LONG AS THEY ARE UP HIGH AND DRY AND AWAY FROM HEAT OR VEHICLES. Also make sure the plastic sleeve they arrive in isn’t ripped or punctured. If so, repair or seal them.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!
