Best Wood Pellets for Smoking

Smoking Meat, fish, poultry, and other foods are becoming increasingly popular as part of the grilling experience.

So you have the perfect Smoker or Smoker and Grill combo and would like to know what the best wood pellets are.

There are so many choices and different flavors that may seem like an impossible task.

However, I have rounded up some of the top favorite and best flavors of Wood Pellets and the highest quality brands for you to choose your favorite.



Benefits of Smoking Meat and Other Foods

Smoking Meats and foods have more benefits than just the wonderful flavors; here are a few to consider;

  • Flavor – First and foremost, and as we have mentioned, smoking gives the most delightful flavors to your foods. Smoking meats break down tough patterns and melt fat to give you succulent and flavorful meats along with the authentic flavors of the Wood Pellets. There are also so many different wood pellet flavors that you can choose from according to your preference.
  • Better Temperature Control – A Wood Pellet grill or Smoker insulates and distributes heat much easier and keeps a more constant internal heat.
  • Versatility – You can smoke any meat, beef, poultry, pork, and even fish. You can also smoke any vegetable, sugar, oil, fruits, and spices, which will also add other flavor elements to your foods.
  • Safer – Because there is a lack of moisture in the meat and the addition of an acidic coating. Bacteria is less likely to grow, causing health issues.
  • Meat Preseration – In the early pre-historic times, smoking meat was used to preserve meat for longer.
  • Enhanced Smell and Appearance – Overall, smoking meats and foods enhances their appearance and gives a delicious aroma and taste to foods.

Choosing the Best Wood Pellets for Smoking

Before you go out and buy Wood pellets for your Smoker or Grill, here are a few critical factors to consider;

  • Soft Wood or Hard Wood – Softwood Pellets are known to burn much hotter and have a lower ash output, whereas hardwood has much more unique smokey flavors. All in All, both kinds of wood are recommended wood for smoking turkey and to grill various food items.
  • Addatives – Additives cut the cost of Wood pellets. Therefore your purer Wood pellets are a bit more expensive. Additives cause the Pellets to burn hotter and lower the quality of the smoke produced.
  • Low Ash – Always keep in mind, that a good quality wood pellet will have a meager ash output in general.
  • Low Moisture – Pellets with a higher moisture content do not light up quickly and cause much more smoke, which is just steam, The Moisture content in Good Wood Pellets is usually lower than 7 percent.
  • Flavored Wood – Most Wood pellets available also come with a unique flavor, of which there are many that you can choose from as you like. Natural Oak is usually used for flavored wood pellets and gives a unique flavor. Sometimes blended woods are used for flavor, and some may have added filler to cut costs.

Features of a Good Wood Pellets for Smoking

Wood Pellets

  • Types of Wood Used – Oak, Mesquite, Pecan, Maple, Apple Tree, Alder and Cherry Tree woods can be used in Wood pellets for smoking and griliing.
  • Oak Fillers – Oak fillers are sometimes used to make the Pellets cheaper, but this is also not the best quality wood for smoking.
  • Blends – You can use blended woods and flavoring or opt for an inferior wood. Most connoisseurs trust pure wood rather than blends.
  • Flavors – There are also various flavoring options added to Wood pellets from which you can select.

Reviews: The Best Wood Pellets for Smoking

Here are some of the best quality and most flavourful wood pellets for smoking;
We hope you love the wood pellets we recommend!
So that you know, We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.


1
Reviewed by: John Max Score: 98.7

What I love about the Traeger brand wood pellets is the large variety of flavors and wood types that you can select from and that they do not use fillers.
  • Depending on your choice, there are different wood types and flavors in the Traeger Wood Pellet.
  • The Pellets are made from 100% natural hardwood, and there are no additives or binding agents.
  • The pellets give an amazing wood-fired flavor and taste every time.
  • This is an excellent quality product trusted by many happy customers.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Packaging25%100
Flavor25%95
Smell20%100
Versatility20%95
Price10%90
Total Score100%96.75


2
The Bear Mountain BBQ pellets are ideal for smoking in a softer Wood Pellet form.
  • You can choose between many available flavors in the BNear Mountain BBQ Smoking Wood pellets.
  • There is also the option of a large 40lb bag of pellets or a smaller 20lb bag of pellets.
  • The Wood Pellets are made from 100% natural premium hardwoods with no filler or additives.
  • You can use these pellets with your outdoor pellet, gas, charcoal, or electric grills and smokers, for grilling and smoking.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Packaging25%100
Flavor25%95
Smell20%100
Versatility20%90
Price10%90
Total Score100%95.75


3
One of Grilling and Smoking Chips’ top favorites is the Western BBQ Smoking Wood Chips and Pellets.
  • These pellets come in a larger Chip form, which burns longer and better than most pellets.
  • There are different wood and flavors from which you can select.
  • These pellets work well with an electric or gas grill.
  • Try a few flavors with the smaller bag options and establish your favorites.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Packaging25%100
Flavor25%95
Smell20%95
Versatility20%90
Price10%90
Total Score100%94.75


4
The Green Mountain hardwood Pellets are ideal for cooking and grilling. However, you can use them for smoking as well.
  • I have chosen the Apple, which is one of their favorite Pellets, but there are other blends that you can select from as you wish.
  • The wood pellets are ideal for grilling and cooking and smoking.
  • Oak-based hardwood is used with blended or pure flavors such as apple, hickory, and fruitwood blends.
  • These pellets offer a much longer burn and better quality smoke.


5
These Pellet Chips are made from the wood barrels used to make the popular Jack Daniel’s Tenessee Whiskey drink.
  • The Pellets will add Jack daniel’s Tenessee whiskey’s distinct flavor to your foods.
  • The Wood Chips are made from genuine barrels where Jack Daniel’s were made originally.
  • You will get a mouth-watering aroma of Jack Daniel’s and Oakwood.
  • The Chips also burn longer than regular pellets.



6
The Larger Wood Chip size pieces of the Weber Smoking pellets burn longer and give a much more aromatic flavor.
  • You can choose between Apple, Cherry Mesquite, or Pecan Chips, as well as flavors such as Hickory.
  • The pellets give a very subtle flavor and aroma.
  • These come in a two-pound bag option of the wood of your choice.
  • The pellets are larger chip-sized for better burning quality.


7
  • This is a pack of Mix Wood Pellets made by CookinPellets.
  • The mix includes four distinct varieties: Hickory, Cherry, Hard Maple, and Apple.
  • It only features high-quality, premium hardwoods.
  • The mix is free of any Oak or Alder fillers.


8
  • This is a pack of BBQ Wood Pellets designed by PIT BOSS.
  • They are all-natural, great-tasting, easy to use, and designed to help the natural juices in the wood to bind the pellets together.
  • It is designed to burn hotter and cleaner for convenience.
  • The raw wood for these wood pellet grills is sourced across North America.


9
  • This is a pack of Super Smoker Wood Smoking Pellets, packaged by BBQ’rs Delight.
  • It includes 1lb packs of Apple, Hickory, Mesquite, Cherry, Pecan, and Jack Daniels.
  • The wood pellets are designed to work with any outside grills, including Gas, Charcoal, Electric, or Smoker.
  • It allows for up to 10 uses per bag and performs well without soaking.


10
  • This is a pack of Smoking Wood BBQ Pellets by Camerons.
  • The wood pellets are kiln-dried to produce smoke quickly and easily.
  • It works great with gas grills, charcoal grills, smoker boxes, and even indoor smokers.
  • The pack includes a variety of 4 wood pellets that are all raw timber and 100% natural.


Index Table: Top Rated Wood Pellets for Smoking

No.ProductImageFeaturesBrandScore
1Traeger Hickory - Flavored Wood Pellets for Smoking
  • Different Flavor Options Available
  • Natural
  • Blends Available
Traeger98.7
2Bear Mountain BBQ - Wood Pellets for Smoking
  • Falvor Options
  • Pellets
  • Softer Woods
Bear Mountain97.4
3Western BBQ Smoking - Wood Pellets for Smoking
  • Flavr and Wood Options
  • Conveneinet Use
  • Gas or Electric Grill Compatible
Western BBQ97.7
4Green Mountain Premium Apple - Apple Wood Pellets for Smoking
  • Blend Options
  • Hardwood Pellets
  • Grilling and Smoking
Green Mountain97.4
5Jack Daniel’s tenessee Whiskey Barrel - Wood Chips for Smoking
  • Jack Daniel’s Flavor
  • Larger Chips
  • Burns Longer
Jack Daniel’s97
6Weber Chips - Wood Chip Pellets for Smoking
  • Flavor Options
  • Wood Options
  • Large Chip Size Pieces
Weber98.4
7CookinPellets Perfect Mix - Wood Pellets
  • Hickory
  • Cherry
  • Hard Maple
  • Apple
CookinPellets96.8
8PIT BOSS 55436 - BBQ Wood Pellets
  • Hickory
  • 40lbs
PIT BOSS96.3
9BBQ'rs Delight Super Smoker - Wood Smoking Pellets
  • Variety Pack
  • 1lbs
BBQ'rs Delight95.9
10Camerons Smoking Wood - BBQ Pellets
  • 4 Flavor Packs
  • All Natural
Camerons95.5


About the Author

John Max

John Max is a registered dietitian and certified strength and conditioning specialist based out of Manhattan, NY. He has worked with people of all age groups. In addition, John also has years of practical food knowledge, and hands-on cooking led John to create this website and contribute his knowledge on healthy grilling techniques. John also regularly tests and analyzes the benefits and features of as many grills as possible. Without a surprise, many of our readers love his reviews and testing style for how thorough and straightforward they are.