The pellets you put in the hopper determine most of the flavor you get from a pellet smoker. Two grills set to the same temperature can produce very different brisket if one runs on a clean hardwood blend and the other on cheap, dusty pellets. The good news is that the best pellets for smoking are easy to find and not expensive, as long as you know what to look for on the bag.
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Below are six pellet blends worth buying, what each one is made of, and which meats each one suits best. We also explain base woods, how much you will burn during a long cook, and how to keep pellets dry so they don't jam your auger.
Table of Contents
Our picks at a glance
| Pellets | Woods | Bag size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Signature Blend | Hickory, maple, cherry | 18 lb | Best overall |
| CookinPellets Perfect Mix | Hickory, cherry, hard maple, apple | 40 lb | No oak or alder filler |
| Lumber Jack Competition Blend | Maple, hickory, cherry | 20 lb | Competition-style flavor |
| Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend | Hardwood blend | Two 20 lb bags | Best value |
| Camp Chef Competition Blend | Maple, hickory, cherry | 20 lb | Everyday cooking |
| Pit Boss Hickory Blend | Hickory blend | 15 lb | Bold smoke for beef and pork |
How we picked the best pellets for smoking
We did not burn every bag side by side. Instead, we looked at what each brand says goes into its pellets, the bag size, and what owners say about how each one burns and tastes. We favored blends made from 100% hardwood with no added oils or flavorings, and we noted where a brand uses a base wood such as oak or alder.
1. Traeger Signature Blend: Best overall
Traeger Signature Blend is one of the most common pellets you will find, and for good reason. It mixes hickory, maple, and cherry, which gives a medium smoke that works on almost anything, from brisket and pork butt to chicken, fish, and vegetables. Traeger says the pellets are made in the USA from all-natural hardwood with no binders and low ash.
It is also one of the most widely used pellets, and owners report that it burns well in a wide range of grills, not just Traeger models.
- Woods: hickory, maple, cherry
- Bag size: 18 lb
- Good for: beef, pork, poultry, seafood, vegetables, baking
- Keep in mind: the bag is a little smaller than the 20 lb bags from other brands
2. CookinPellets Perfect Mix: Best with no oak or alder filler
Many pellet brands use oak or alder as a base and add a smaller share of a flavor wood. CookinPellets says its Perfect Mix is 100% hickory, cherry, hard maple, and apple, with no oak, alder, or softwood filler. That gives a fuller smoke flavor than a blend that is mostly base wood.
It comes in a 40 lb bag, which is a good fit if you smoke often or run long overnight cooks. A big bag also needs a dry place to live, so plan on a sealed bin.
- Woods: hickory, cherry, hard maple, apple
- Bag size: 40 lb
- Good for: brisket, ribs, pork, chicken
- Keep in mind: a 40 lb bag is heavy and needs dry storage
3. Lumber Jack Competition Blend: Best for competition-style flavor
Lumber Jack is a popular brand with barbecue fans, and its Competition Blend is listed as one-third maple, one-third hickory, and one-third cherry. Cherry gives meat a deep red color, hickory adds a classic smoky taste, and maple keeps the flavor smooth.
Lumber Jack also says these pellets work in pellet tubes, so you can add extra smoke on a gas or charcoal grill.
- Woods: maple, hickory, cherry
- Bag size: 20 lb
- Good for: ribs, chicken, pork butt, turkey
- Keep in mind: a smaller brand, so it can be harder to find in local stores
4. Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend: Best value
Bear Mountain sells its Gourmet Blend as two 20 lb bags, so you get 40 lb of pellets in one order. The company says the pellets are 100% natural hardwood with no flavorings, fillers, or additives, and that the low moisture gives a clean, steady smoke.
Bear Mountain says it uses oak or alder as a base wood in its pellets, depending on the region, to help them burn evenly. It describes the Gourmet Blend as a mix of bold smoke woods and sweeter fruitwoods. The result is a mild, sweet smoke that suits poultry, pork, and vegetables. You can read more about how the brand builds its blends in the Bear Mountain FAQ.
- Woods: a blend of smoke woods and fruitwoods
- Bag size: two 20 lb bags
- Good for: chicken, turkey, pork, vegetables
- Keep in mind: milder smoke than a straight hickory pellet
5. Camp Chef Competition Blend: Best for everyday cooking
Camp Chef describes its Competition Blend as an all-purpose blend, and that is a fair description. It is a maple, hickory, and cherry blend that works with poultry, pork, beef, seafood, and even baking. Camp Chef says its pellets are 100% virgin hardwood, not a byproduct, with no oils, chemicals, or binders.
The pellets are kiln-dried to keep moisture low. Camp Chef says that helps them burn hotter and cleaner, so you use fewer pellets to hold temperature and have less ash to clean out.
- Woods: maple, hickory, cherry
- Bag size: 20 lb
- Good for: weeknight cooks, mixed menus, baking
- Keep in mind: a medium smoke flavor, not the boldest
6. Pit Boss Hickory Blend: Best bold smoke for beef and pork
For a stronger, classic barbecue taste, a hickory blend is the best choice. Pit Boss Hickory Blend gives a bold smoke that suits brisket, ribs, pork, burgers, and sausage. Pit Boss says the pellets are 100% North American hardwood with no fillers, glues, binders, or artificial flavors.
Hickory can overpower lighter foods, so it is not the best choice for fish or a delicate turkey breast. For beef and pork, though, it is a strong and affordable choice.
- Woods: hickory blend
- Bag size: 15 lb
- Good for: brisket, ribs, pork butt, burgers
- Keep in mind: strong smoke, and a smaller bag than most picks here
Which pellets go with which meat
There is no single right answer, but this is a good place to start:
| Food | Good pellet choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket and beef ribs | Hickory or a hickory blend, oak | Strong smoke stands up to beef |
| Pork butt and pork ribs | Hickory, cherry, apple, or a competition blend | Cherry adds color, hickory adds flavor |
| Chicken and turkey | Apple, cherry, maple | Mild woods do not turn the skin bitter |
| Fish and seafood | Alder, maple, a light fruitwood blend | Light smoke for light food |
| Vegetables and baking | Maple, apple, a mild blend | Adds flavor without taking over |
For more on wood choice, see our guides to the best wood for smoking brisket and the best wood for smoking turkey.
Blends, single woods, and base woods
Pellets come in three main types. Single wood pellets, such as 100% hickory, give you one clear flavor. Blends mix two or more woods for a more balanced taste. Flavor pellets use a base wood such as oak or alder, with a smaller share of a flavor wood mixed in.
A base wood is not a bad thing. Oak and alder burn evenly and help a grill hold temperature. It just means a bag labeled cherry may be part cherry and part base wood, so the cherry flavor will be lighter. When you shop for the best pellets for smoking and want the full flavor of one wood, look for a bag that says 100% of that wood, or a brand like CookinPellets that says it uses no oak or alder filler.
Avoid pellets made for home heating stoves. They can contain softwoods and other materials not meant for cooking. Only use pellets sold for grills and smokers.
How many pellets you will use
Most pellet grills burn about 1 to 2 pounds of pellets per hour for a low-and-slow cook, and more at high heat. A 12-hour brisket can use 12 to 24 pounds, so one 20 lb bag may not last through a long cook in cold or windy weather. Our best pellet smokers guide shows how long each popular grill runs on one full hopper.
How to store pellets
Moisture is the biggest enemy of pellets. Damp pellets swell, crumble into dust, and can jam the auger, which is one of the most common reasons a smoker will not hold temperature. Keep pellets in a sealed bin, off the floor, and out of the rain. Do not leave pellets sitting in the hopper for weeks between cooks, especially in a humid area.
A locking, airtight bin is the easiest fix. See the Traeger Stay Dry pellet storage bin on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What are the best pellets for smoking brisket?
Hickory, oak, or a blend that includes hickory gives brisket the strong smoke flavor most people expect. Pit Boss Hickory Blend and CookinPellets Perfect Mix are both good choices.
Can I use any brand of pellets in my pellet grill?
Yes, in most cases. Pellet grills burn standard-size cooking pellets from any brand. Check your grill manual to see what the maker recommends.
How long do wood pellets last in storage?
Pellets kept dry in a sealed container can last for months or longer. Pellets that soak up moisture swell and break apart, and those should be thrown out.
Are flavored pellets just oak with flavoring?
Many flavored pellets use oak or alder as a base wood with a smaller share of the flavor wood. That is normal. If you want the full flavor of one wood, look for a bag labeled 100% of that wood.
Can I use heating pellets in a pellet grill?
No. Heating pellets are made for stoves, not food, and can contain softwoods or other materials. Only use pellets sold for grilling and smoking.
The bottom line
The best pellets for smoking are the ones that match your food and your grill. If you want one bag that does everything well, start with Traeger Signature Blend. For a full flavor blend with no oak or alder filler, go with CookinPellets Perfect Mix. For bold beef and pork, pick a hickory blend like Pit Boss Hickory Blend. For a big supply at a low price per pound, Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend is a good buy. Whatever you choose, keep the bag dry and buy a little more than you think you need for long cooks.