What is Your Go-To Pellet Flavor?

[EZCUSE]

I am getting close to having to purchase more wood pellets. I know for a fact that I do not like heavy smoke so hickory and mesquite are out of the question.

Right now I am using BBQ'rs Delight pellets and doing the combo of Cherry and Pecan.

Just like everyone on these forums.... I'll smoke it all. Beef, poultry, pork, fish, etc.

I know for a fact that I'm not going to use say one flavor pellet for one type of meat and then another flavor pellet for another meat. Once it's in the hopper... it's staying in the hopper no matter what I'm cooking.

The question is: do I still with Cherry and Pecan or do I switch it up? Do I go a single flavor or do a different combo?

[DWCowles]

I haven’t used any other pellets than CookinPellets

https://cookinpellets.com/

[shush]

I also use Cookin' Pellets. I prefer the Perfect Mix. When I want/need a distinct flavor, I keep those in but throw hickory, apple, cherry, etc. on the heat diffuser. Then I can control how much of a flavor, with a good base.

[jerrybell]

I like Camp Chef brand and most often use Hickory. The last time I picked up pellets the store only had competition blend and that's working well for me also.

[Nate]

Personally if Pecan in a pellet Cooker isn’t bothering you then I don’t think hickory will either. Pellet smoke is a much milder than a stick burner so it shouldn’t be as heavy...

Personally I like Pecan and use it as a base or primary wood and then will add something like cherry for pork which lends itself to a sweeter profile.

I would not use a fruit wood on beef and would stay with just the Pecan, hickory, oak, or other primary hardwood. Personally I don’t use fruitwood with poultry either.

As for seafood... can’t say as I’m not a seafood person.

Honestly though it comes down to your own flavor profile preferences. If it is what you like then go for it.

[KevinG]

I do not have a pellet smoker, and I wasn’t aware of the vast selection of pellets available. I just did a short search and I’m impressed. Not to hijack the post, but if you get cherry wood, are they made up of sawdust/scrapsfrom only cherry wood?

[realdocBBQ]

This is the big question in all pellets. Some are pure wood from ONLY that type, some are a mix of the advertised wood and something cheap, like maple or alder. And some only use a flavored oil and none of the actual advertised wood. I THINK Traeger pellets were like this. Lots of info out there, some of which is conflicting.

[Elton's BBQ]

I use beechwood pellets in my A-mazen-tube smoker when i coldsmoke salmon.

[dirtman]

cookinpellets.com fan here as well. Go in with a friend or two and purchase a pallet.

[dirtman]

KevinG cookinpellets, lumberjacks and a few others offer 100% flavor wood often in mixes. Some offer 100% for certain species. Many of the biggest brands like Traeger have an alder base with a mix of the flavor wood. cookinpellets perfect blend is 100% cherry, hard maple, apple and hickory.

[KevinG]

Thanks, been thinking about picking up a second hand pellet grill for my cabin. Just for the flexibility it would allow.

[dirtman]

Get a pellet grill that has programming capabilities for convenience. Many have WiFi and/or app access. It is a game changer. I put two butts (typically 10-14 hour smoke) on last night and it rained all night. I programmed the MAK pellet boss to smoke (170) for 2 hours then 225 for 4 hours then 250 degrees until the internal probe is at 203. Once at 203 the smoker will take to warming temp of 170. Checked it this am to make sure there was fuel.
Meat is at 165 and will be ready for my target of noon.

I slept without worry about the pit. I’d put my bbq against the vast majority of the q anywhere.

[KevinG]

That’s what I’m looking for. Something we could leave while we fish, hunt, mountain bike, hike, etc. Bear could be a gamble, but that’s a risk always. It’d Be nice to come home to pulled pork or a nice chuck after 12 hrs climbing up and down the mountains . The crockpot gets old. We do have electric service that we had run up to our cabin. The rural electrification cooperative is pretty reliable.

[KevinG]

We have no WiFi / internet or phone service or cell service. Bluetooth with the app would be all I’d have to use with the grill. I use a Spot satellite locator for emergencies .

[Pirate Scott]

I have been using GMG pellets, I an not sure I can tell the difference. I have tried all three of their flavors, they work well with my grill. I used some B&B Hickory and it had great flavor but seemed to run a little cold. I will be looking into cookin pellets. Anyone using cookin pellets in a GMG?

[T-bone]

Our favorite pellet blend is mesquite and cherry. Mesquite can be a strong flavor. However, growing up in Texas, mesquite is a flavor profile we expect and enjoy in our Q. Cherry does a nice job in mellowing the mesquite and I believe it also helps enhance the smoke ring.

[randy.56]

This year I have tried, experimented with, Pea-can, maple, apple, cherry, Hickory, using a 40 lb bag at a time, untill it's gone no matter what, i'm cooking. Hickory is my least favorite, will not use again. Each: have our own taste buds I guess. My go to when using the smoke tube for extra smoke is peacan.

[EZCUSE]

Does anyone cook with Apple? What is another good pellet to pair with Apple?

[realdocBBQ]

Apple is my go-to. I use it almost exclusively on pork, on beef I've got some hickory. I can't honestly say I can tell a difference.

[CandySueQ]

Cooking for myself, I love apple. The smell of the smoke is quite excellent. I have paired Jack Daniel's pellets with apple. It boosts the BTUs which is not a bad thing.

[tamidw]

I generally use apple for pork or a blend of apple and a hardwood.

[phrogpilot73]

I use all the competition blend pellets. Mainly CookinPellets, but when Pit Boss goes on sale at Walmart, I'm in.

[BigJoe]

I do not have a pellet smoker but I use Apple and hickory a lot. It tends to be mild. The wife likes it.