Keep your pellets dry from delivery to the hopper
Plan a dry storage space, check bags on arrival and protect the fuel you have already paid for.
Good storage begins before the delivery arrives. Wood pellets absorb moisture and can lose their structure when exposed to water. Protecting them is easier than trying to recover damaged fuel.
Choose the space before the quantity
Use a dry, weather-protected location that meets the fuel and appliance manufacturers' storage instructions. Check for roof leaks, damp floors and condensation. Keep bags off a potentially damp floor on a suitable stable base, and leave room to inspect the stack. Packaging and pallet wrap are not a substitute for a weatherproof store.
Check the delivery before moving it
Inspect visible packaging and photograph any damage. Record the batch details and contact the supplier promptly about wet or torn bags. Confirm the agreed unloading point in advance; moving a heavy pallet across gravel, steps or soft ground may require equipment that is not part of the delivery service.
Handle bags gently
Follow the bag's lifting guidance and use suitable assistance rather than lifting beyond your capacity. Keep stacks stable and within the packaging supplier's recommendations. Use older sound stock first and reseal an opened bag to limit exposure to moisture and dust.
Do not overlook storage safety
Keep fuel away from heat sources and maintain the clearances specified for the appliance. Bulk pellet stores present additional hazards, including gases and oxygen depletion. Do not enter a silo or enclosed bulk store; use the system supplier's specialist procedures and trained personnel.
If pellets have swollen or broken down after getting wet, do not put them in the hopper to see whether they still work. Ask the fuel supplier about disposal and the appliance manufacturer about any fuel already inside the system.