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Last Updated: May 28, 2024, 6:35 a.m.

Experience the artistry of grilling with wood grilling pellets, where tradition meets innovation. Derived from high-quality hardwoods like oak, hickory, and mesquite, these pellets infuse your culinary creations with rich, smoky flavors unmatched by other fuels. Perfect for grilling enthusiasts and culinary adventurers alike, wood grilling pellets offer a versatile and eco-friendly way to elevate your outdoor cooking experience. Dive into the world of wood pellet grilling as we uncover the nuances of different wood types, share expert tips for achieving optimal flavor profiles, and explore the sustainable advantages of this natural fuel source. Get ready to ignite your taste buds and embark on a flavorful journey through the art of wood pellet grilling. Check out our top choice, the Bear Mountain Wood Grilling Pellets, for a tasty and eco-friendly grilling experience.

Buying Guide: Wood Grilling Pellets

Adding a grill to your backyard arsenal is an easy way to boost your home's entertainment value. Not only can you cook up some fantastic food on the grill, but you can also entertain friends and family while you're at it. Additionally, grilling can help you consume fewer calories and may even promote weight loss. But the right kind of wood grilling pellets is essential if you desire a top-quality grilling experience. Fortunately, there are a few tips you can keep in mind to ensure that you get the most out of your purchase. In this buyer's guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know before buying wood grilling pellets.

How Do Wood Grilling Pellets Work?

Wood grilling pellets are typically made from compressed sawdust or wood shavings. The sawdust is heated to high temperatures, which causes the lignin in the wood to break down and bind the sawdust together. This process gives the pellets their shape and makes them more moisture resistant. Once the pellets are cooled, they can be used in a pellet grill like traditional charcoal. When placed in the firebox, the pellets will slowly release their heat, providing a consistent and evenly-distributed source of heat for cooking. Because of their uniform size and shape, wood pellets are also ideal for use in automated pellet smokers. As the pellets burn, they produce smoke that imparts a subtle flavor to food. Wood grilling pellets are a convenient and easy-to-use fuel source for any grill.

Things To Consider Before Buying Wood Grilling Pellets

Compatibility

Wood pellets are a great way to add flavor to your grilled food. However, you must ensure they are compatible with your grill. Otherwise, you may not be able to get the full flavor of the wood, or you may damage your grill. Gas and charcoal grills work well with wood pellets, but you can also use them with electric grills. If you are using an electric grill, check the manufacturer's instructions to see if the wood pellets you're considering are compatible with it.

Sustainably sourced

When buying wood pellets, you must consider where they come from. You want to ensure that the pellets are sustainably sourced from a renewable source. This is important for two reasons. First, it helps to protect the environment. Second, it helps ensure the pellets will be of high quality and last longer.

Low moisture content

One of the most important factors to consider when buying wood pellets is the moisture content. The lower the moisture content, the better. A pellet with low moisture content burns hotter and is much drier. Also, such pellets are ideal for grilling, smoking, baking, and roasting due to their low moisture content. When choosing pellets, look for those with less than 10% moisture content.

No chemicals or binders

Finally, you want to ensure the wood pellets you choose do not contain any chemicals or binders. These can be harmful to your health and can also cause damage to your grill. Look for wood pellets that are all natural and made from 100% pure hardwood.

Top Flavors of Wood Grilling Pellets

Wood grilling pellets come in various flavors; however, hickory, apple, and oak wood pellets are the most delicious and well-known.

Hickory pellets

Hickory has a robust and smoky flavor that is perfect for grilling meats. The hickory's smokiness pairs well with beef's natural flavors, making it a popular choice for BBQs. In addition, hickory wood helps to create a crisp, caramelized crust on truly mouth-watering meats.

Apple pellets

Apple wood gives the meat a subtle sweetness that is perfect for balancing the savory flavors of the grill. In addition, applewood helps to create a moist and juicy interior in meats. As a result, applewood-grilled meats are often some of the most flavorful and succulent.

Oak pellets

Finally, oak wood pellets are a classic choice for grilling. Oak has a milder flavor than hickory or apple, but it still imparts a unique flavor to the meat. Oak-grilled meats often have a truly delicious and slightly nutty flavor. In addition, the oak smoke pairs well with the fatty juices of meats, making for a genuinely knockout flavor combination.

Tips for Using Wood Grilling Pellets

Reserve the sweeter wood pellets for the desserts

Just like you wouldn't put mesquite-flavored chips on your chocolate cake, you don't want to use strong-tasting pellets on delicate desserts. A general rule of thumb is to save the sweet woods, like cherry and apple, for fruit and pies while using more savory options, such as hickory or pecan, for meats.

Combine different pellets

One of the great things about wood pellets is that they can be mixed to create unique flavor profiles. If you're feeling adventurous, try mixing different types of pellets to see what new flavors you can make.

Wrap in aluminum foil if you want less smoke

If you're looking for a smokier flavor, there's no need to add more wood pellets to your grill. Instead, try wrapping your food in aluminum foil. This will help infuse your food with smoke without adding additional bitterness.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Bear Mountain Wood Grilling Pellets
Easiest To Use: Traeger Wood Grilling Pellets
Most Flavorful Pick: Camp Chef Wood Grilling Pellets
Versatile Pick: Kona Wood Grilling Pellets
Premium Pick: Bbqr's Delight Wood Grilling Pellets

Reviews

Best Overall

Bear Mountain Wood Grilling Pellets

Pros	Cons
Do not include artificial additives Equipped with a low moisture build Compatible with all major grill brands	It might overproduce ash at times

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Easiest To Use

Traeger Wood Grilling Pellets

Pros	Cons
Comes in plenty of flavors Equipped with all-natural hardwood Features a low-ash characteristic	It might burn at a faster rate

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Most Flavorful Pick

Camp Chef Wood Grilling Pellets

Pros	Cons
Comes with a low moisture content Made from all-natural solid hardwoods No added chemicals or binders	The flavor might not be too strong

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Versatile Pick

Kona Wood Grilling Pellets

Pros	Cons
No additives or artificial flavors Various flavors and sustainably sourced Compatible with all grill types	It might produce more smoke at times

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Premium Pick

Bbqr's Delight Wood Grilling Pellets

Pros	Cons
Comes with six wood smoking pellets Compatible with a variety of cookers Various flavors without any contaminants	It might burn a bit fast

Check on Amazon

FAQs

Why should I use wood grilling pellets?

Wood grilling pellets are a great way to add flavor to your food. They can be used in any type of grill, and they come in a variety of flavors. Pellets are also a great way to add smoke to your food, which can enhance the taste of your grilled meat.

What are the popular flavors of wood grilling pellets?

The most popular flavors for wood grilling pellets are hickory, mesquite, and apple. Other flavors include cherry, pecan, and oak. Different woods produce different flavors, so it is important to experiment to find the flavor you like the most. The type of wood you use will also affect the taste of your food. For example, chicken will taste different when grilled with hickory than with apple pellets.

Are wood pellets good for grilling?

Yes, pellets are great for grilling, as they evenly distribute heat and create very little ash. Pellets also generate less smoke than other types of wood, so your food will have a more natural flavor.