Winter storage

pheasant16 · Dec 6, 2020

Here in ND is gets pretty chilly these months. Did a butt yesterday with goal of finishing the butt
and emptying the hopper. Left for supper with meat temp about 190 degrees, got home couple hours
later with smoker reading 45 and meat reading 170. Accomplished both goals.
Never got a final temp on meat, pulled apart just fine so must have been close.
Anyway, need to put a few pellets in to burn junk off plates and grates. Thanks Mike for heads on on pellets at Sams Club.
Will pellets absorb any moisture over winter storage so just add a few and let them empty again or fill it up and store when done
burning off yesterday's project?

MikeInFla · Dec 6, 2020

The best way to store them is 5 gallon buckets but 40 pounds would need 2 buckets . Sometimes I just use a clothes pin to keep the bags tight. This is Florida so humidity high all year round and I have a relative humidity gauge in my shed. Checked it today, was 70%. Just don't leave pellets in the hopper for a long period of time and keep the grill covered. Should be fine in the cold.

DaveXDm9 · Dec 6, 2020

pheasant16 said:
Here in ND is gets pretty chilly these months. Did a butt yesterday with goal of finishing the butt
and emptying the hopper. Left for supper with meat temp about 190 degrees, got home couple hours
later with smoker reading 45 and meat reading 170. Accomplished both goals.
Never got a final temp on meat, pulled apart just fine so must have been close.
Anyway, need to put a few pellets in to burn junk off plates and grates. Thanks Mike for heads on on pellets at Sams Club.
Will pellets absorb any moisture over winter storage so just add a few and let them empty again or fill it up and store when done
burning off yesterday's project?

pellets will only absorb moisture unless actual moisture gets on them. I have a separate building/slash garage so I am not to worry about it as long as your pellets in a build or out of the elements than you are fine.

MKinHB · Dec 7, 2020

You could try putting a dehumidifier inside the grill while stored.

pheasant16 · Dec 7, 2020

Our humidity runs < 20% not too concerned about it. Will just not fill the hopper before putting it away.

DaveXDm9 · Dec 7, 2020

That is good idea. I leave mine in, but again my grills are inside.

STLJonny · Dec 8, 2020

For pellet storage (I also use these for storage of my dog food), I use a standard bucket, with a food grade screw on/off lid (like below):

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Encore-Plastics-12-in-White-Plastic-Bucket-Lid/50094688

Srminosky · Dec 8, 2020

This is what I use for my pellets, has a pickle smell if your don’t clean them out well but for the price....

Get 5-Gallon Pickle Bucket for $3 at Firehouse Subs

Put this deal on your "bucket list"! Firehouse Subs has a red hot deal right in the middle of its shops. If you dine there regularly, you know each sub comes with a zesty pickle

www.milehighonthecheap.com