Pellet Review Thread

[mike243]

Been going thru some pages trying to see what brand and flavor of wood pellets folks are using takes a while,thought maybe we might make 1 thread then add to it as to how you liked or disliked them,I will start and not related to any pit maker or pellet maker lol I will list what I have used from the beginning.I consider the temp swings as high +-30 med +-20 low +-15 xtra low +-10.1 Pit Boss Hickory good flavor low ash-med temp swings- cheapest pellets per lbs so far,2 Lumber Jack hickory great flavor low ash runs hot with wide temp swings +-30 3 LJ cherry great flavor low ash & med temp swings. 4 Tn Grilling Pellets competition blend great flavor lots of ash & med temp swings,I have to say this is the best smelling smoke of any I have used so far .5 LJ pecan blend testing now so far Very xtra low temp swings running it on smoke setting since 10 last nite,165-170 after me watching it for about 2 hrs this am.I will see if and how long I can update this post as time goes on,getting ready to move temps from smoke P5 to 225 shooting for a noon feed with 2 butts,

 

[mike243]

Update on the LJ Pecan Blend,decent flavor high usage when I stepped up to 225 compared to Straight hickory,will ck ash build up some time this week,I will be doing a comparison of lbs burned soon and will need to find a log so I can chart it all with out side temps ect...

 

[mike243]

 

[oldsmokerdude]

PitBoss Competition Blend
Just finished a brisket and pork butt with these pellets. Produced lots of smoke throughout the cook, burning them at about 275 in the main chamber to maintain about 225 in the smoking chamber.
PROS:

Medium amount of ash
Fairly consistent temp
Great smoke ring​

CONS:

Absolutely no smoke flavor. All I taste is the meat in the pork and beef along with an occasional taste of the rub.​

Will not be using these again. Trying LumberJack next.

 

[ross77]

I agree with your Pit Boss Comp Blend assessment. No smoke flavor.

 

[mike243]

I didn't run the PB hickory over 250,reckon I am still liking the LJ the best so far but in search of other flavors and brands

 

[ross77]

Interesting that you got some flavor out of the PB Hickory, I didn't get much at all. I believe they blend it with maple. I also don't get temp swings from LJ 100% hickory.

 

[lovethemeats]

I like the hickory and apple from LJ. Its great they offer the 100% "less filler" pellets. Never had an issue with these and burn real good. Lots of flavor compared to some other brands out there.

 

[mike243]

The higher BTU's is what causes my temp swing as its higher on the 100% hickory ,reckon the controller over shoots a little,doesn't affect the outcome or cause issues,when I can restock I plan on a long smoke with it on a P setting of 6 and see how stable it is compared to 225-250 and a P setting of 2, I have not turned it down past 4 and is supposed to be a higher temp smoke,may do that first

 

[bregent]

A cheap controller can have temperature stability problems with pellets that burn differently than those they were designed and tested with. A good controller won't have any problem with different pellets.

 

[ross77]

Good point. I haven’t noticed big temp swings with any specific brand or wood type.

 

[lovethemeats]

I must add to my earlier reply. I use a box that sits off to the side for my pellet tray. A modified Mes like a lot of others do. My controller is separate from the smoker also. It runs tight to setpoint. But it also has an auto tune feature. Temp drift isn't an issue for me. My MES40 got a complete make over complete with new wiring this early spring. The heat made from the pellets doesn't have an effect on my MES temp. You can always do the Mod and not worry as much about the heat generated from pellets.

 

[mike243]

lovethemeats this is a pellet grill/smoker,not a MES,I have a MES but its a original 40" 1st generation,I have my smokers listed but see that folks replying don't so no idea what they are burning pellets with.Might make a lot of difference in the way the pellets are fired