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Barbecue, smoking, and bonfire are the essentials of any outdoor parties, aren’t they?
But they have to be safe and cost-effective. Thus, you need a high-quality fuel, which keeps the fire up for a long time without causing any harm. And, these are great fuel that fulfills all these needs.
So, let’s have a look at the review and buying guide of some of the best wood pellets.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Wood Pellets For Smoking
- OUR TOP PICK: Traeger PEL319 Hickory
- RUNNER-UP: CookinPellets 40PM Perfect Mix
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: BBQrs Delight Wood Smoking Pellets
Comparison Chart of the Best Wood Pellets For Smoking
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Types of Wood Pellets
There is a diverse variety of products in the market. They are differentiated on the basis of pricing and other features like fire quality.
Here are the three basic types in the market.
Standard Wood Pellets
The standard products are made from organic waste from the forestry industry. They have even wooden shavings mixed with other similar industrial refuse. They have an organic ash content of more than 0.5 percent, which increases their efficiency. They have an adequate size, which does not take too long to catch fire.
Food-Grade Wood Pellets
Food grade wood pellets are those that have similar manufacturing details as the standard wood pellets. Their organic ash content is 0.5 or higher as well. But, food-grade items do not have any additives. They may have some chemicals for added flavor, but they have all the components which are safe for ingesting.
Premium Wood Pellets
Premium products have a higher price than others, usually. These wood pellets have remains from maple and oak trees. They have a lesser proportion of bark in them as well. This enables the premium wood pellets to generate a more consistent heat for smoking.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Wood Pellets For Smoking
Here are the best wood pellets for smoking:
Review of the Best Wood Pellets For Smoking
Now that you know all about different types of items, you should be looking for some reliable options to invest in for your next smoking adventure. Well, you do not have to worry about it anymore, as here is a review of the best wood pellets for smoking.
Best Overall:
Traeger PEL319 Hickory
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers of these products found them very helpful for smoking and grilling both. They are very fond of the quality of these items as they stay intact for a long while. Buyers also liked these due to the minimum amount of ash left after smoking.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The perfect blue flame and a toxin-less smoke of these products help them stand out to us the most. The items do not have any harmful binding agents or fillers in them. This makes the overall composition quite natural and safe for use even around kids.
Who Will Use This Most
If you care about both the environment and the taste of your smoked food, then these products are for you. They have an environmentally sustainable composition of 100% hardwood, which has no additives. This makes it safe to be around these items.
Bottom Line
On the whole, these are premium quality products, which may seem a little expensive to you. But their quality and heat retention beat the price by a long shot. So, it will be a wise decision to choose these wood pellets.
Runner-up:
CookinPellets 40PM Perfect Mix
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
These products have become a favorite of many of the people who bought them recently. They liked the fact that these have no additives or toxic fillers in them. Buyers also found these good for the price, so they recommend these items to other people too.
Why it Stands Out to Us
These make it to our list as the runner-up products because of the smart packaging of 40 pounds. This allows for taking and storing the required amount of pellets easily. In addition, they have a composition of 4 hardwoods, which bring a diversity of flavor to the smoked food.
Who Will Use This Most
These are the right products for those who prefer to have safe cooking. As there are no oak or alder fillers in these items, they have a strong binding with natural lignin of wood. They also work well with the instant temperature read, too, which lets you control the required amount of heat actively.
Bottom Line
All in all, these are great in terms of both heating and safety. The composition is all-natural and has a pretty impressive flame as well. So, you should consider these items seriously before making a decision.
Best for the Money:
BBQrs Delight Wood Smoking Pellets
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers reports show that those who invested in this unit are quite happy with these products as they are such efficient fuel. They liked the availability of these items in small 1 pound pouches, which makes carrying them easier.
Why it Stands Out to Us
These distinguish themselves to us due to the presence of 6 different flavors. Apple, hickory, mesquite, cherry, pecan, and Jack Daniel's bring a lot of diversity. They even blend to make some amazing new flavors too. So, you will have fun trying different proportions of these flavors.
Who Will Use This Most
These are most useful for people who need small amounts of products. You can invest in only the amount that you require for some time. And then you can buy these again if needed. This prevents the wastage of these items and your money both.
Bottom Line
Considering all this, these items are great fuel for smoking. The diversity of flavors makes them leave their mark on the users. The packages of 1 pound each are also quite economical, so it will be an amazing experience for you if you choose these.
Best Apple Wood Pellets for Smoking:
Camerons Smoking Wood Pellets (Apple)
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
For the most part, recent buyers liked these products by Camerons. They particularly like their combustion rate. They combust completely, releasing no toxins or unburnt carbons in the air. However, buyers showed concerns over the small quantity of the pellets for their cost. That being said, they had no qualms about paying a high price for the flavor these promised.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like these items due to their higher fuel efficiency. They burn thoroughly, leaving only the minimal amount of ash and residue. This helps in cleaning the smoking space quickly and getting prepared for the next round. These also have a higher level of heat retention as well, so they make a reliable fuel.
Who Will Use This Most
These items are best for those who are looking for well made and more compact pellets. The manufacturers have baked them in kilns for a stronger binding. So, they do not come off loose while you are on the go, which makes these great for travelers.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on these products are that they have an easy to use construction. They also come in small buckets, which are not only easy to use but also easy to store. Once you have taken out the required amount, you can close its lid securely.
Best Wood Pellets for Smoking Turkey:
Louisiana Grills 55408 Texas Mesquite Pellets
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The people who bought these products lately found they work quite amazing. They liked their heat retention capacity the most. According to them, small amounts of pellets produce enough heat for thorough smoking. And this makes them like and trust these a lot.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us with the smart packing of 40 pounds. This makes these items easy to carry in a compact package over long distances. Moreover, they have a blend of mesquite and maple in just the right proportion. This makes the overall smoking experience much more pleasant than it would otherwise be.
Who Will Use This Most
This is most useful for people who hit the roads quite often for adventures. These are great for those too who host smoking parties in their backyard too. The quantity of these items is quite amazing at 40 pounds, which serves you for a long while.
Bottom Line
Our opinion on this is that Louisiana Grills is definitely a trustworthy name in the market. These items have a great price to quantity ratio as well, making these worth investing in. The additional taste of smokiness that it brings to meat is also quite incredible.
Best Wood Pellets for Smoking Ribs:
Traeger Grills PEL331 Signature Blend
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers had a great time using these items for smoking their meat. They loved how these provide consistent heat for hours on end. They are also fond of them because they do not create any unpleasant smell. They like the pricing of these more than other options as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Well, these products are a nice addition to our list of favorites for all the right reasons. They have a blend of three exotic flavors, namely cherry, maple, and hickory. They produce a nice and appetizing aura around the smoking stove. They even enhance the taste of the meat that you smoke on them with this additional blended flavor.
Who Will Use This Most
We find this the most useful for those who go camping for long durations of time. They come in a great quantity, which lasts for a long time. The package is easy to carry and then store after each use to prevent any moisture from entering the pellets.
Bottom Line
The final word on these products is that they are sure to increase the overall taste of your food. They come at a nice price, and they are highly safe for your health too. The only issue can be extra cleanliness requirements due to all the ash. But that is worth the flavor that these pellets add to your meals.
Wood Chips vs. Pellets
Wood chips and pallets are both commonly used types of fuel for smoking. Here is a comparison of both to let you see which suits you.
Similarities
Wood chips and pellets both have a small and compact design. They are easy to carry and do not cost much. Also, they both retain heat for a long time and can be used for smoking.
Differences
There are some major differences in both wood pellets and wood chips.
The major difference is that pellets have soft wooden residue from the forestry industry in them. But wood chips are chunks of hardwood which burn for a long time. There can be some artificial flavors in wood pellets but not in wood chips.
Another difference is the quality of smoke generation. The smoke from wood chips is denser, while the one from wood pellets is not so intense.
Wood Pellets vs. Propane
Wood pellets and propane are both used for smoking normally. Vacationers prefer both of these fuels for smoking due to safety of use. So, let’s see how each of them compares.
Similarities
Both propane and wood pellets make for an easy to carry fuel. They do not occupy much space, so you can easily keep them at a side in your vehicle while you are going to a camping spot. They are both safe and do not cause much pollution even when burned for long durations.
Differences
Wood pallets and propane are primarily different types of fuel. These are for stoves while propane works in a heater. They differ in terms of heating performance too.
These products heat up a broader area and pump more heat than propane heaters. Moreover, the former is a much cheaper fuel option than the latter.
Another important thing is that you can use even a makeshift stove for wood pellets, but you need a proper heater for propane.
Conclusion
To do a quick summary, wood pellets are an efficient way of providing heat for smoking. There are many types available which come at different prices. Moreover, they are a better option than other fuels as it is easy to travel with them. So, get yourself high-quality wood pellets to enjoy smoking like a pro.
People Also Ask
Well, these have become a favorite smoking fuel for many people. And they recommend others to get it for their parties as well. This has piqued the interest of many others, and they ask many questions about this fuel. So, let’s have a look at the most frequently asked questions and their answers.
What Are Wood Pellets?
These are a commonly used form of fuel for grilling and smoking. They are small and hardened bits of sawdust and other wastes from the forestry industry. There are some wood shavings in them too, which make them catch fire quickly. These are quite compact and are easy to store as well.
How Long Do Wood Pellets Last?
The amount of time that these products last depends on the amount of moisture in the air. If the natural humidity level is less than 10%, then you can store them for more than 6 months. However, they will last for only 2-3 months if the moisture level in the air is less than 10%.
Do Pellet Smokers Give Good Smoke Flavour?
Yes, smokers give a good smoke flavor. Some brands even add artificial flavor in them to make the meat cooked on them have a more pronounced taste. So, if you are into a flavored up smoking, then these will work fine for you.
Do You Soak Wood Pellets For Smoking?
No, you do not have to soak them in water before using them. They are already so compact and thoroughly hardened that you do not have to make them anymore intact. So, all you have to do is to put them in the stove from their packing, and you are good to go.
At What Temperature Do Wood Pellets Smoke?
These products start generating smoke fairly quickly, even at low temperatures. But the highest favorable temperature for them is 250 degrees. Beyond this temperature, your stove and other smoking equipment can be at the risk of falling apart.
How Much Are Wood Pellets?
Wood pellets usually come in 40-pound bags. They are priced somewhere between $4 and $9 for different brands. And, most of them come at around $5, which is a great price for 40 pounds of pellets. So, you should choose these which are priced at a moderate level.
How Are Wood Pellets Made for Smoking?
Items for smoking are made from the waste of the forestry industry. They have hardwood ground finely into sawdust. Then the manufacturers put excessive pressure on them in the presence of high levels of heat. The natural lignin in the wood holds them together in the form of small pellets.
