Pellets

[mike walewski]

Has anyone tried using these? The bag says they are perfect for pellet grills. I called the manufacturer and they said they are a hardwood blend.

 

[texomakid]

Maybe it's just me but I'd want to know exactly what wood was in my pellets. I actually try to pair my wood flavor with certain meats & meals. More than likely they'd be fine for cooking if that's what's on the package.

 

[Carvendive]

You know what... Give em a try. See if you like the flavor... Won't hurt, I used a "master blend". White oak, red oak and hickory. Supposed to be GREAT. It's OK! I got a Apple blend - cheep. But you know what, I like the flavor better.
IN THE END IT'S ONLY GOING TO END UP MATTERING TO YOU AND YOUR TASTES.

 

[fivetricks]

there are lots of blends out there. Providing you did not pay too much for them, they should be more than fine. But I would not pay a premium for them not knowing what is in them

 

[tallbm]

View attachment 409834 Has anyone tried using these? The bag says they are perfect for pellet grills. I called the manufacturer and they said they are a hardwood blend.

Hi there and welcome!

I would avoid those pellets.
According to the info on their website they are made specifically as an alternative fuel to burn to heat your HOME.
https://www.appalachianwoodpellets.com/

Because they are meant for generating heat and heating homes I have a feeling they take all kinds of hardwood from all kinds of sources to make these pellets. I'm not saying they are toxic or anything like that but the purpose for which they are made just doesn't jive well.

In other countries a similar type of pellet is made for fueling pellet stoves and heating sources and my understanding is that they wood is not recommended for food smoking due to the risk of not knowing where the wood for making those pellets came from. The AWP pellets sounds almost identical to those kinds of pellets.

So in short, if you need to fire up a (pellet) stove and cook over the flame/heat or you need to generate heat for a home using a stove this seems to be a good option... for smoking food I would go with something else.

I hope this info helps :)

 

[foamheart]

I know a bunch of folks who use these corn cob pellets

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/best-cob-premium-horse-bedding?cm_vc=-10005

 

[mike walewski]

I bought them for heating purposes and I saw the pellet grill on the bag when I got them home. I haven’t cooked with them yet.

 

[schlotz]

I would NEVER use heating pellets in a smoker. You just don't know what wood is in them, some could be processed (ie scraps from building 2x4s etc...). Info on bag is vague, maybe by intention or due to lack of knowledge.

 

[foamheart]

I wouldn't use pine pellets, but I do use the 100% corn cob... I use corn cob alot. Look on the bag it tells you what they are. Mixed or pine are no brainers but if its corn cob its a hell of a lot cheaper.

 

[bregent]

Call them and ask if they are using virgin logs, or lumber scraps. If virgin logs then it's fine. If lumber scraps then I would not use. Based on this statement from their site, I would avoid:
"The leftover bits of lumber are first transferred to chippers and hammer mills where they are refined to a consistent size. "

 

[browneyesvictim]

Fir is the primary lumber type for construction. Not quite as bad as pine, but definitely not a hardwood and not a good smoke wood. ...Yet it says "hardwood" on the bag. What percent of the pellets are hardwood is hard to say. Not something I would ever use.

 

[chopsaw]

Mike that's a legit question . After reading thru the info on the web site , seems funny that they have a pellet grill on the bag . No mention of cooking , only heating . Bi product from a lumber mill , would be hard to say whats really in them .

 

[mike walewski]

I tried calling them today but I was too late catch anyone who could tell me. I am going to try again tomorrow

 

[schlotz]

At the end of the call you might find yourself still having to judge what the person on their end conveyed. Be Careful... if there remains any doubt as to what's included, DO NOT use in your smoker.

 

[texomakid]

Curious how much $$ for that 40# bag?

 

[mike walewski]

I just got off the phone with them and the man assured me it is nothing but hardwood they are owned by a hardwood lumber mill and they just use the scraps. They are certified to make food pellets and only use vegetable oil when they need lubrication for making pellets.

 

[mike walewski]

Cost on a 40# bag is 5-6 dollars

 

[bregent]

Based on everything I see here, I'd say they are safe. They are PFI certified which means they cannot use wood with contaminants and have to maintain equipment and work areas so as not to cause contamination. And they are a hardwood mill so they are using all hardwood.

So they may be safe but I still wouldn't use them. For me, only 100% hickory gives me enough smoke flavor on my grill. Other less strong woods don't provide enough for me. But if you like the flavor, go for it.

 

[nchapelheel]

Has anyone tried the Camp Chef "charwood" pellets? I am considering buying some of those for my GMG Daniel Boone grill. I ask because it seems that charcoal flavor goes well with smoke. I currently use Traeger pellets and have
used pit Boss pellets. Not much smoke flavor with those. Any suggestions?
nChapelHeel

 

[PoppinSmoke]

Has anyone tried the Camp Chef "charwood" pellets? I am considering buying some of those for my GMG Daniel Boone grill. I ask because it seems that charcoal flavor goes well with smoke. I currently use Traeger pellets and have
used pit Boss pellets. Not much smoke flavor with those. Any suggestions?
nChapelHeel

I have not tried the Camp Chef ones but have used the Pit Boss and Traeger ones and can tell you that there is a world of difference using the cookingpellets or LumberJack brands, not only in the smoke but in the temp swings.