Pellet blend

[springybob]

I would like to add more smoke flavor to my brisket. Can you tell me which pellet blend imparts the strongest smoke flavor?

 

[RayClem]

Soome woods are mild: maple, oak, apple, pecan, alder, etc.

Other woods are stronger: hickory, cherry, and mesquitte. I would suggest trying hickory.

In general, pure woods will have more flavor than a blend. Blends usually contain a mild base wood like alder or oak flavored with a portion of other woods.

 

[Hogan]

I would like to add more smoke flavor to my brisket. Can you tell me which pellet blend imparts the strongest smoke flavor?

RayChem has summed it up fairly well. I've done a fair bit of research on this issue myself, and came to some conclusions. 1) Mesquite by itself is too strong for a long smoke; I use it only for grilling beef. 2) Some of the manufacturers use low-smoke hardwoods and then infuse the pellets with chemicals to replicate flavors. Avoid those. A lot of the "competition" blends are a mix of unknowns. One bag I bought that was supposedly a mix of maple, oak and hickory, seemed to be a mix of maple, more maple, some solidified brown sugar, a bit more maple, and maybe a pinch of hickory. The ribs were like candy-canes. Avoid those. 3) Add one or even two smoke tubes at the beginning of the smoke - that will add that additional smokiness you seek.
LumberJack has a good reputation for pure, strong smoke essence; it's my choice.

 

[RayClem]

RayChem has summed it up fairly well. I've done a fair bit of research on this issue myself, and came to some conclusions. 1) Mesquite by itself is too strong for a long smoke; I use it only for grilling beef. 2) Some of the manufacturers use low-smoke hardwoods and then infuse the pellets with chemicals to replicate flavors. Avoid those. A lot of the "competition" blends are a mix of unknowns. One bag I bought that was supposedly a mix of maple, oak and hickory, seemed to be a mix of maple, more maple, some solidified brown sugar, a bit more maple, and maybe a pinch of hickory. The ribs were like candy-canes. Avoid those. 3) Add one or even two smoke tubes at the beginning of the smoke - that will add that additional smokiness you seek.
LumberJack has a good reputation for pure, strong smoke essence; it's my choice.

For blends, I like Bear Mountain. For "pure" hardwood, I choose LumberJack. Both are made by the same overall company in Wisconsin where there are plenty of hardwood.

Pellet blends that come from the Pacific Northwest typically use Alder as the base of the blend. Although Alder is defined as a hardwood as it comes from a deciduous tree.; LikePpoplar, Alder is quite soft. It is nearly as soft as pine. Thus, it will burn more rapidly than other types of hardwood like oak, maple, cherry, hickory, etc.

 

[Shedd]

I would like to add more smoke flavor to my brisket. Can you tell me which pellet blend imparts the strongest smoke flavor?

If you want a noticeable smoke flavor it’s not coming from the pellets but a smoke tube with wood chips and chunks.

 

[midwest]

I agree, a smoke tube will add more smoke than switching types of pellets.

 

[BobbyQ]

When I want a lot of smoke flavor I use a combination of Oak or Hickory chips and pellets layered in a smoke tube.