Wait, Oak is a Filler in Pellets?

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rockymtnsmoker

Newbie
Original poster
Mar 28, 2012
28
12
Denver, CO
Every once in a while when I see a thread about which brand of pellets to choose, there's some discussion about oak as a "filler" wood in some brands.  I'm always surprised to see this because I really like the flavor from smoking with oak chunks and when I use pellets, I look specifically for a blend with oak in them (like Lumberjack Oak-Hickory-Cherry.)

I like what I like, so I'm not really looking to change what I use.  But I'm really interested in opinions on oak in pellets, and specifically why I get the sense people think it's a filler.  Is it just the fact that some brands market a fruitwood pellet as such but it actually contains something else?  Is oak cheaper?  Why the oak hate? 
 
Personally oak is my favorite....there are some that like straight fruit wood. The combo works for me.
 
 
Every once in a while when I see a thread about which brand of pellets to choose, there's some discussion about oak as a "filler" wood in some brands.  I'm always surprised to see this because I really like the flavor from smoking with oak chunks and when I use pellets, I look specifically for a blend with oak in them (like Lumberjack Oak-Hickory-Cherry.)

I like what I like, so I'm not really looking to change what I use.  But I'm really interested in opinions on oak in pellets, and specifically why I get the sense people think it's a filler.  Is it just the fact that some brands market a fruitwood pellet as such but it actually contains something else?  Is oak cheaper?  Why the oak hate? 
It's not a matter of hatred of oak. Lots of us (probably all of us) have used oak to smoke, or eaten something smoked with oak, and been happy with the result. It is the "false advertising" aspect that people have an issue with.

Oak does tend to be cheaper, at least in chunk or split form. A bag of Cherry chunks around here runs about $8. A bag of Oak is usually $4.

There's nothing wrong with oak at all for smoking as long as you know that's what you're getting.
 
 
It's not a matter of hatred of oak. Lots of us (probably all of us) have used oak to smoke, or eaten something smoked with oak, and been happy with the result. It is the "false advertising" aspect that people have an issue with.

Oak does tend to be cheaper, at least in chunk or split form. A bag of Cherry chunks around here runs about $8. A bag of Oak is usually $4.

There's nothing wrong with oak at all for smoking as long as you know that's what you're getting.
Agreed.....would like to see straight pecan pellets though
 
i hate how oak and alder are used as fillers in cheaper pellets, but try to buy either when they are 100% of the content and they shoot up to the quality pellet prices
 
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