Identifiers For Pellets In Use

[Bighorn Dave]

So I'm one of those that use different kinds (flavors) of pellets dependent on food being cooked on the grill. The problem I run into is my wife cooks often as well and simply puts in whatever pellets are closest and then forgets to mention what she used. I've got a few ideas on how to monitor this but thought I'd reach out here for others opinions. One idea I had was to make a wooden placard with pellet variety printed on it that is large enough not to get into the pellet auger yet small enough to fit in the hopper and float on top of the pellets. I do have the MAK II Star so changing pellets is easy as can be. Just wondering what others may do to keep track of whats in their hopper.
Another idea was to install a flag similar as to those used on mail boxes that can be raised when that blend of pellets was placed into service. Anyway not a big deal but one that maybe others have dealt with and found a solution that works well.

[RonB]

How about a magnet to hold a small plastic card with the type of pellet printed on it?

[Bighorn Dave]

How about a magnet to hold a small plastic card with the type of pellet printed on it?

Great idea. Thanks. It would need to go on the stand instead of the hopper because the hopper is stainless but certainly a good idea.

[Nate]

Or you could just get a new wife... which may be more of a necessity than a choice if you pick a fight with her over wood pellet flavors for your cooker.

or you could get something like:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/569142086/grill-pellet-magnets?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-home_and_living-outdoor_and_garden-grills_and_accessories-other&utm_custom1=e8570b47-4c1c-406c-ad80-eeaa5f5a8bd8&utm_content=go_270949115_21143312795_69017141435_pla-307321114441_m__569142086&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4sX3o-r34AIVl7rACh28Vwm9EAQYASABEgJdd_D_BwE

There are other ones that are interesting too if you just google something like "magnetic wood pellet flavor indicator".

[Jerod Broussard]

Read the beginning of this and freaking died laughing....

[Donw]

I keep my pellets in different labelled Homer buckets. I just leave the current bucket sitting by the smoker. Once the cook is over I use a bucket top vacuum to return the pellets to the bucket, and then back into the storage locker.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I have a rolling waterproof bin, if I used multiple flavors I would just have multiple bins and dump between usage. Then you always know what's in there.... assuming the wife doesn't dump into the wrong bin (but you could roll the current flavor to under the dump door)

[randy.56]

You guy's taste bud's must be better than mind, i cannot tell much difference. Except Hickory, I do not use Hickory.

[Troutman]

Weird, that's about all I use. Hickory and apple.

[Jerod Broussard]

I buy mixed bags and roll with it on all protein.....I also filed for divorce, but no pellets were involved....

[Nate]

Did you get joint or sole custody of the gridiron?

[Jerod Broussard]

Sole of all things BBQ. Gave up everything else.... Nate

[Mr. Bones]

BTDT Jerod Broussard
So sorry to hear, sendin alla my best wishes...

[Sweaty Paul]

How about putting a piece of the bag with the type of pellets that are being used hanging from the hopper. If it’s big enough piece you could fold it over to read what’s used and use the weight of the hopper lid to hold it in position.

Or labeled magnets.

Good luck!

[Red Man]

If she just grabs whatever’s closest, then have a separate storage area for what’s not in use. Keep the type you were using by the smoker. That way it’s her only option and you’ll know what’s in there.

[Mr. Bones]

Brilliant.

[jharner]

If my wife were to use my pellet grill and have supper ready when I get home, she could use what ever pellets she wanted to. But her choices would be slim because I mainly use Cookin pellets premium.

[Bighorn Dave]

Or you could just get a new wife... which may be more of a necessity than a choice if you pick a fight with her over wood pellet flavors for your cooker.

or you could get something like:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/5691420...SABEgJdd_D_BwE

There are other ones that are interesting too if you just google something like "magnetic wood pellet flavor indicator".

Getting a new wife isn't the answer. I couldn't afford a magnet after that.

All joking aside I think we have a winner for this suggestion. Cheap enough and it gets the job done. Thanks

[Nate]

Hope they work out!

[Bighorn Dave]

If she just grabs whatever’s closest, then have a separate storage area for what’s not in use. Keep the type you were using by the smoker. That way it’s her only option and you’ll know what’s in there.

That wouldn't work. If she had to go to any more effort I'd end up not eating.

[Bighorn Dave]

You guy's taste bud's must be better than mind, i cannot tell much difference. Except Hickory, I do not use Hickory.

I don't disagree at all as there are some foods it doesn't seem to matter what pellets are used but I think that is mostly when heavy doses of rub are used that tend to over power the smoke profile.

[Troutman]

This then starts the whole pellet taste argument. When I first started pellet cooking I was buying all these exotic blends like apple/cherry/mulberry/in a light cream sauce blend. I had myself convinced there was this "subtle" taste difference to a rather smokeless result to begin with. So one day I did a test on some ribs with hickory for one batch and my exoctic blend on the others. Cooked both batches about the same and did a blind taste test with 4 different people and they said they couldn't tell anything different, tasted the same to them.

Sooo, my conclusion was that if there is no real difference then just choose your cheapest fuel, which in my case was Lumberjack hickory because I bought in bulk, and go with it. You all can have you cherry/vanilla/peach/apple/banana competition blend you want. Guess my palette is simply unedumacated.

[Timbo54]

I agree. With the weak smoke profile of my Traeger I find that there is little difference between flavors of pellets. I buy the Gourmet blend at Costco and use it for almost everything. I did buy CookinPellets (hickory) and notice a stronger profile.

[Driverdan]

Troutman, you really know how to get me laughing out loud! Absolutely love your sense of humor!

[Bighorn Dave]

In many cases I wouldn't disagree depending on other factors, but a clear way to notice a difference is with smoked cheese. Use a hard wood like hickory or oak on cheese and in my experience it is to acrid and quickly becomes part of the landfill.