Best Pellets for Smoking

Wood smoker pellets can produce results that range from mild to strong. Milder flavors come from alder, oak, apple and cherry pellets. Hickory, mesquite and pecan grill pellets create the strongest flavors. In general, hardwood pellets will produce more smoke than pellets from fruit trees, like cherry and apple.

Cooking at a higher temperature produces less smoke. Foods cooked at higher temperatures will have less smoky flavors than those cooked at lower temperatures.

Some classic grilling pellet flavors are:

Hickory Smoker Pellets

Hickory grilling pellets give food a smoky flavor that brings bacon to mind. These pellets are particularly well-suited for smoking brisket. They also work well for chicken, pork, beef and vegetables. This popular smoker pellet variety is easy to find no matter where you live. Both professionals and amateur backyard chefs are among the fans of hickory smoker pellets.

Mesquite Smoker Pellets

These pellets produce the classic flavor that people have come to expect at a barbecue. Mesquite smoker pellets can be described as earthy. These grill pellets have a stronger flavor than other hardwoods like hickory and alder. Mesquite wood pellets are known as one of the best pellets for smoking beef and pork. They also go well with chicken and fish.

Pecan Smoker Pellets

These smoker pellets can add a subtle depth to food. Pecan wood pellets have a rich flavor that isn’t overbearing. Pecan is especially well suited for chicken. These grill pellets also work best for beef, light pork dishes, vegetables and baked foods.

Alder Smoker Pellets

Alder smoker pellets produce one of the mildest flavors, which makes them a crowd pleaser. Because of their versatility, they are a top all-around choice. They work for everything from beef and pork to chicken and seafood. Alder smoking pellets also pair well with vegetables and baked foods.

Apple Smoker Pellets

Light and a little bit fruity in flavor, apple wood smoker pellets are a great variation for a host of different foods. This popular flavor ranks among the top picks of backyard barbecue chefs. Apple works well with seafood and vegetables. You can also use apple wood pellets with chicken and pork.

Cherry Smoker Pellets

If you want to take your ribs to the next level, cherry grilling pellets are the way to go. As you might expect, these pellets give food a fruity flavor that’s a little on the sweet side. Cherry smoker pellets can enhance beef, pork and baked goods like bread.

Maple Smoker Pellets

When you think about maple, a stack of pancakes may be the first thing that comes to mind. Though these wood pellets are not as sweet as syrup, they do add a distinctive flavor to bacon and other pork products. The lightly sweet flavor of maple smoker pellets also goes well with beef, seafood and baked foods.

Oak Smoker Pellets

Another versatile smoker pellet option, oak imparts a subtle flavor to any food you want to cook. Oak grill pellets work well with chicken, fish and beef.

Pellet grills are intended to be used with wood pellets and not wood chips or charcoal. Using wood chips or charcoal in a pellet grill can damage it.

Choose food-grade wood pellets for smoking. Wood pellets for heating are intended for use in wood stoves or pellet stoves. Heating pellets may contain additives that are harmful if eaten.

Pellets labelled “100 percent flavored wood” don’t contain wood filler.

Pellets labeled “flavor blend” typically use at least two kinds of wood, as well as some filler. They can be less costly, but also lower quality.

Check to see that the pellets you choose can be used in your pellet grill or smoker. Some pellets only go with one type of grill or smoker.

Keep an extra bag of wood smoking pellets on hand. They not as widely available as other backyard barbecue staples, like charcoal and propane tanks. You might not be able to buy a bag of wood smoker pellets at the last minute if you need more during a cookout.

Store wood smoker pellets so that they stay dry. In humid conditions, pellets can lose their flavor. They may also get moldy.

Look at pellets carefully before you use them. If the pellets look moldy or off-colored, throw them away. Cooking with moldy pellets can make you sick.