You can store your wood pellets in their original packaging with the help of clips, storage bags, airtight containers, and dispensing containers. These storage options ensure your pellets stay fresh and effective for a long time.
Wood pellets are a great addition to any smoking process, and they impart a unique smoky flavor to barbecues. However, bad wood pellets don’t offer the same results as fresh wood pellets. For this reason, it’s vital to store these pellets in a secure, low-moisture location.
For years, I’ve stocked up on wood pellets because I love using them to smoke my favorite meat and fish cuts. Today, I’ll show you how I store wood pellets to guarantee they stay fresh and last a long time. Let’s get started!
Here are five effective storage ideas for your prized wood pellets.
Choose a reliable bag clip if you’re on a tight budget. The clip ensures you can store your wood pellets in their original package. Also, a bag clip prevents the hassle of having to transfer the pellets into another container and spilling some of them on the ground.
When opening the pellet bag, ensure to cut neatly from the corner of the bag. Once you’ve filled your hopper, roll it up and secure it with the clip.
The clip should prevent moisture from entering the bag, so you can leave the sealed bag there in the garage. However, you should exercise caution because even a tiny rip in the pellet bags could allow enough moisture to enter and damage the pellets.
A tried-and-true method for storing pellets is using a sturdy plastic bucket with a tight cover. Your pellets will remain dry and intact in the bucket.
Make sure the bucket you buy can handle the number of pellets you wish to keep. For example, a 5-gallon bucket should contain about 20 pounds of wood pellets. Another reason I like using buckets is because you can stack them.
Therefore, you can stack several pellet types on top of one another without taking up too much floor space. But be careful when stacking those buckets; pellets are heavy.
Storage bags are a good option for storing pellets, and I like that they’re easy to use and transport. These lightweight and durable bags are perfect for the summer months and can contain up to a full 20-pound bag of pellets.
Pellet storage dispensers include a built-in flip cover that makes it easy to dispense wood chips. It functions much like a built-in nozzle to pour your pellets into your grill’s hopper.
The container also has a handy built-in handle that makes it easy to lift, which is particularly helpful while filling the hopper. I like that you can also stack these containers on top of one another.
Large plastic containers are excellent for specialty pellets. So rather than using large buckets that will end up almost empty, you can use these smaller pellet storage containers. These containers can keep your wood pellets dry.
Another benefit of pellet storage containers is that they stack up well and can easily fit on shelves or in small spaces. Simply fill the container with the pellets, shut the lid, and write the contents on the label.
Here are a few wood pellet storage tips to ensure your pellets last as long as possible.
Always check the condition of your pellets before adding them to the hopper. Here are several methods for determining whether your pellets are usable:
You shouldn’t use your pellets for heating or grilling if they don’t pass these tests, but you don’t have to throw them away. Bad wood pellets can be recycled into mulch, fire starters, and so on.
Yes, wood pellets go bad over time. These pieces of wood typically show signs of deterioration before totally going bad. Avoid using the bad pellets and throw them away if they begin to smell bad, look rotten, and feel damp.
Always check the condition of your pellets before using them in your barbecue to ensure they are okay. Certain molds and fungi grow on bad pellets and release dangerous spores, emit unpleasant smoke, or even infect your food with dangerous toxins.
If properly stored, wood pellets can last up to a year. Pellets that are six months old or longer, especially those that have been incorrectly stored, will start to lose their ability to impart that smoky flavor to your food.
Ultimately, the shelf life of wood pellets depends on the type of wood they come from and how well you store them. The best way to keep your pellets in peak condition for a long time is to store them in a sealed, low-moisture area.
You shouldn’t leave wood pellets in your grill’s hopper. If pellets are left unused in the smoker hopper, they may be exposed to moisture from the air or humidity. Any one of these elements can cause the pellets to absorb moisture and spoil.
A door or clean-out feature is a common feature in pellet smoker grills, making it simple to remove any leftover pellets. After each usage, use this feature to empty the hopper and move the pellets to an airtight container for later use.
Traeger pellets can expire if exposed to the wrong storage conditions. Generally, wood pellets can last 6 months in areas of low humidity. However, that period is shortened to 1–3 months under humid conditions. However, if you store your pellets properly, you might be able to continue using them even after six months.
We all love pellet barbecues, but storing all the pellets can be a hassle, especially if you buy several bags of various wood pellet flavors. Pellets become completely damaged the moment they become wet.
Using moist or degraded pellets can clog your auger, which can be bad for your grill. For this reason, it’s essential to store these pellets effectively. Use my five storage ideas to ensure your wood pellets stay in top condition for a long time.
