The best time to buy wood pellets is spring or summer, before demand climbs in September and peaks in October. Store them somewhere dry, off the floor and under cover: moisture is the only thing that really ruins pellets, making them swell and crumble back into sawdust.
When demand peaks
Canadian searches for stove pellets rise from September and hit their high in October, then stay high through December. That is when everyone buys at once, so stores run short and promotions are rare. BBQ pellets follow a different calendar, peaking from April to June.
| Season | Heating pellets | BBQ pellets |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Quiet: good availability | Peak buying |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Quiet: stock up now | Steady |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Peak buying, October highest | Quiet |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | High in December, then easing | Quiet |
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How to store pellets
- Off the floor. Keep bags on the pallet they came on, or on boards. Concrete draws moisture.
- Under cover. A garage, shed or basement is ideal. Outdoors, use a waterproof cover that sheds water away from the pallet, and leave airflow underneath.
- Away from heat and flame. Not right next to the stove.
- Sealed once opened. Pour opened bags into a lidded bin; it also makes filling the hopper cleaner. See storage bins.
- First in, first out. Use the oldest bags first.
Wet pellets
A pellet that takes on water swells, loses its shape and crumbles. Do not burn damp pellets in a pellet stove: they can jam the auger and burn poorly. A few damp bags can go to the garden or compost where allowed; check how much of the pallet was affected.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to buy wood pellets?
Spring and summer, when demand is lowest and availability best. October is the busiest month.
What happens if pellets get wet?
They swell and fall apart into sawdust. Don’t feed them to a pellet stove.
Can I store pellets outside?
Yes, on a pallet with a waterproof cover and airflow underneath, but a garage or shed is safer through a Canadian winter’s freeze-thaw cycles.
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