Page index

Why wood grill pellets swell, crumble and turn to sawdust when they get damp, and why that matters inside a pellet grill hopper.

Where and how to keep grill pellets between cookouts. Covers a dry spot, a sealed container and keeping pellets away from heat, based on maker guidance.

How to check grill pellets for dampness before loading the hopper. Covers sheen, the snap test, sawdust and clumps, as makers describe them.

What damp or wet pellets can do inside a pellet grill hopper and auger, and the steps one maker lists for clearing a jam. Follow your own manual.

Compare bins, lidded buckets, totes and original bags for storing grill pellets, with what makers say about each and the trade-offs.

Should pellets stay in the hopper between cooks? What Traeger, Pit Boss and Z Grills say about leaving them in, emptying, and weather.