Just to stir the pot. A pellet question to everyone.

[DMKNLD]

What is the problem with outside storage? As far as I know my pellets are outside until I cut open the waterproof package and bring them in the house. I have never had a problem unless the cover is damaged in shipping. Look at google earth and find your plant. It's all outside in giant rows.

It seems pellet packaging has incrementally improved over the years to address this problem. The pellets I ordered years back only had one protective covering layer over the pallet stack, which was flimsy at best, then they went to a more durable form fit heavy plastic cover, then to shrink wrapping over the plastic cover, and now the LaCretes I burned this year were shrink wrapped around the pallet stack, then plastic covered, then shrink wrapped again over the plastic cover. I don't know if that is the industry standard now or not.

Moisture issues also seem to be a cumulative thing - the longer they stay out in the elements at the mill, then during delivery, then how long they were outside at the retailer seems to be a factor. Repeated sun exposure, followed by night-time cooling, seems to cause condensation issues as well.

 

[3650]

I've stored mine outside since I began burning several years ago. I just save the bags from previous year and double wrap them. I also save the pallets and set them on a pallet. It gets them off the ground a bit more. No issues yet.

 

[GT_Sharp]

That is a result of the need for employment in this area which borders NY States Adirondack Park which I believe is the largest park in the USA.

http://geography.about.com/od/unitedstatesofamerica/a/largest-national-parks.htm

 

[Pete Zahria]

What is your agenda here? you don't like him? not my problem. Seriously....

Whoa... hold on...
#1 post was about buying stored inside pellets ONLY... Your post was about a stove dealer who gave you poor service,
I was just asking what it had to do with indoor storage...
No agenda... and I don't know the person. Or you.
I may not agree with him, but don't construe that to mean I don't like anyone, or am argumentative...
I think in the past I have tried to explain certain things as honestly as anyone from a dealer's perspective.....

Dan

 

[SidecarFlip]

http://geography.about.com/od/unitedstatesofamerica/a/largest-national-parks.htm

When I saw your location and your avitar, I thought it was going to be GT Nunn.

 

[Old Spartan]

http://geography.about.com/od/unitedstatesofamerica/a/largest-national-parks.htm

Sorry - should have said Continental US States.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_Park

 

[GT_Sharp]

Sorry - should have said Continental US States.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_Park

I did do a little more research and came to find out that it is the largest 'state' park in the USA, .

 

[moey]

Sounds like OP was just trying to stir a pot. But I am curious why they think it makes a difference if they are not conditioning the space the pellets are stored in? It will have humidity fluctuations and possible condensation just like being stored outside.

 

[Bioburner]

As with most consumer consumable products, store in a cool dry place. Extreme environmental conditions are not good for most things.

 

[MacGyver]

I buy hard wood pellets imported from Michigan and store them outside under a shelter. The skid is very well wrapped and covered so moisture has not been an issue for the most part.

 

[SidecarFlip]

As with most consumer consumable products, store in a cool dry place. Extreme environmental conditions are not good for most things.

That certainly applies to propellants.....

 

[Snowy Rivers]

Around here the big box stores will usually drop stock about April and the restock in the Fall.

A few farm stores keep stock year round.

Since we heat with nut shells, we buy only a small quantity of pellets to feed the Quad 1000 in a pinch and to use to light the fires.
(The pellets light quick and easy with a propane torch)

If we have a cold snap heading our way we will add a bunch of bags to the stock.

In years past (Pre 2010) we used the Quad a lot more and bought pellets in the fall early and filled the storage place full.

Real spooky to wait and get caught with no pellets and snow falling

A few pellet manuf's around here will sell direct to the public in the summer with a 1 ton minimum.

 

[oldengineer]

I order 3 tons every April from the store that did the install and they deliver for free in Aug/Sept. They sell only O'malleys premium hardwood pellets and they drive their own truck down to the mill to pick them up. I don't know how they are stored prior to delivery but the pallets are triple wrapped and I've never had any problems with them. Last years early buy price was $229/ton. They've run out the last 2 years because of the Arctic Blasts we've experienced so I make sure that I have enough to last thru the season.

 

[SidecarFlip]

If I lived in PA, I'd kick the pellet burner out the door and put in a stoker stove. Ant coal is cheaper and produces more heat per volume than pellets ever will.

 

[oldengineer]

If I lived in PA, I'd kick the pellet burner out the door and put in a stoker stove. Ant coal is cheaper and produces more heat per volume than pellets ever will.

That brings back memories of 1950 when my cheap Russian farm raised mom had me shake down the big coal stove every morning and then sift the ashes to recover unburned pieces. This thing is easier to maintain and smells a lot nicer so I'll stick with it.

 

[SidecarFlip]

They have come a long way since then (I'm getting ready to jump ship and go coal myself). No more 'hands on' than a pellet burner, in fact the new generation stokers are pretty much hands off and one Alaska stoker will run rice coal and wood pellets should you be inclined. I would imagine it would also run shelled corn as well.

Mechanical maintenance is pretty high on a bio burner and the dust is an issue. Not so with a stoker.

 

[3650]

mix all three.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Not sure you could do that. Ignition temperature is different on all 3 fuels.

 

[Ambient]

If I lived in PA, I'd kick the pellet burner out the door and put in a stoker stove. Ant coal is cheaper and produces more heat per volume than pellets ever will.

I burned coal for years, yes it was cheap but it was dirty and potentially dangerous with the coal boiler in our basement. I still have the boiler here at our new farm, we use it now in our greenhouse with only cord wood. There are just too many cleaner alternatives to using coal. One of the biggest reasons to get the pellet stove was to contribute to our effort of off setting our previous use of oil and coal for so many years.

Hey, that's what works for us, not sure what the real topic was: stirring the pot or pellets?

 

[doghouse]

i'll wait till about august, and then purchase an insane amount of POS box store pellets, which luckily my stove eats just fine. kept the house at 72 when it was -25f with those pos pellets!

Then they aren't that POS then.

 

[DneprDave]

POS, Point Of Sale?

 

[Pete Zahria]

POS, Point Of Sale?

I don't think so.....

 

[zrtmatos]

I get tired of the BS. 20 years, and it does not get any better. Started at $ 110 a ton and now who knows. We will see!

I wish I could get that price for pellets