Pellets Alternative pellets?

[WCBBQ]

Read it carefully as it's from 2011 and specific to winery vineyard pellets, I think. So unless @YYCRed is discussing these pellets made from grape vines, this is not applicable.

However, if you are concerned about health issues surrounding cooking pellets, you should investigate how tree bark harbors potential toxins for decades. This doesn't really concern me, but it's far more concerning than food grade oils used to lubricate an extrusion jig while making pellets from grape vines. Many manufactures use tree bark in their pellet manufacturing.

JPSBBQ I hear your concern about what's harbored in the bark, I believe this is especially true for orchard woods. When I was learning to make pellets, I found a splash of cooking oil in the press would get things moving again. Now we have the process down and never need to do that. It also takes a lot more energy to make pellets without using oil, but the results are worth it. Our pellets are 100% pure (mostly French) white oak, no bark and no oils.

 

[RustyJake]

Picked two bags of pellets up at Walmart today in Bellingham
$9.99 a bag

Figured I was down for the 4th and I would buy something that was showing some US pride

 

[imjustabill1970]

I used to use Lumberjack purchased from my local Rural King, then the stopped selling them and started pushing their own brand for about half of the price as a bag of Lumberjack. There was a sign up at the store too that said New Name, Same Flavor. Was wondering if anyone has had any issues with RK pellets.

 

[GrillMeister]

I'm impressed with the Kirkland pellets. Very little dust and the pellets are solid and longer than most others. Gonna stock up on these.

 

[RayClem]

I have seen some speculation that the Kirkland pellets may be made by Pit Boss, but I do not know that to be true.

Unfortunately, I am at an age that handling 40# bags is rather difficult. I have to stick with brands selling 20# bags. Oh to be young again.

 

[Don C]

I'm impressed with the Kirkland pellets. Very little dust and the pellets are solid and longer than most others. Gonna stock up on these.

View attachment 9786

I just bought 1 bag 2 days ago from Costco to try out.

The pellets are definitely longer than the Traeger pellets or the Traeger Blend of pellets sold by Costco.

Constant rain here & I already have pellets in the hopper, so may be a while before I can try them out.

Has anyone seen if the longer pellets cause any problems going through the auger?

I hope not since the $12.99 for 40 lbs is a great price!

 

[BobbyQ]

I just bought 1 bag 2 days ago from Costco to try out.

The pellets are definitely longer than the Traeger pellets or the Traeger Blend of pellets sold by Costco.

Constant rain here & I already have pellets in the hopper, so may be a while before I can try them out.

Has anyone seen if the longer pellets cause any problems going through the auger?

I hope not since the $12.99 for 40 lbs is a great price!

I've noticed that some of my Bear Mountain pellets are much longer. No problems so far with several cooks.

 

[Don C]

I've noticed that some of my Bear Mountain pellets are much longer. No problems so far with several cooks.

THANKS for the input

 

[Ironyoder]

I use Bear Mountain Bold on my Recteq. Better than their gourmet blend more smoke flavor

 

[RayClem]

The Bear Mountain Bold is a blend of oak, mesquite, and hickory. Thus, it will produce more smoke flavor. That works well with beef, pork, lamb and perhaps poultry, but not so much with seafood and vegetables.

The Gourmet Blend is a blend of oak, hickory, maple, and cherry. Thus, it will be a little lighter and sweeter than Bold and it will work with most anything. However, the smoke flavor won't be as pronounced.

I have bags of both blends as well as other brands and blends. I pick the type I think will work best with my overall cook. Because I am often cooking vegetables along with my protein, I tend to like some of the sweeter blends.

 

[drich]

One of my local Ace Hardware stores is selling Traeger Meat Church blend for $12.99, bought 2 bags but I am thinking that I should buy more bags. I have never tried them because of the price ( I’m not just cheap lol). Do you know if they cook hotter or make more smoke. Just curious.

 

[RayClem]

It sounds like you got your pellets at a good price. My ACE Hardware sell these Limited Edition pellets of $24.95 for 18#, Most Traeger pellets sell for $19.95 for a 20# bag. At the normal price, you are paying a 39% premium for the Meat Church branding. I would not buy them at the normal price, but $12.99 sounds like a bargain. I pay $12.99 for Bear Mountain 20# bags f pellets at Lowe's, so you are at a similar price.

 

[MidwestSmoker]

$12.99 for Traeger Meat Church pellets is a terrific deal! I would love to try them but not at their usual price. Unfortunately, my local Ace Hardware does not even carry them, much less at that price.

I am still waiting for the Bear Mountain summer sale. It is usually in July-August.

 

[drich]

$12.99 for Traeger Meat Church pellets is a terrific deal! I would love to try them but not at their usual price. Unfortunately, my local Ace Hardware does not even carry them, much less at that price.

I am still waiting for the Bear Mountain summer sale. It is usually in July-August.

I used Bear Mountain for a long time. They were $7.99 for the longest. They went up in price so I went back to Traeger. Moved up to an Ironwood 650 last month so still getting used to it so trying to stick with Traeger pellets. I am going back to Ace tomorrow a buy more bags.

 

[GrillMeister]

I'm on my second 40# of Kirkland pellets for $12.99 and I'm impressed. Low ash, low dust, great heat at a great price.