If you love to grill and smoke food as much as I do, then you already know that the flavors you produce are highly dependent on the type of wood pellets you use. It can be tricky to find just the right wood pellets to give your food that savory taste you crave.
Best Wood Pellets For Smoking 2023
Any wood pellets you buy should give you enough heat and high quality smoke so that it directly infuses with the meat or food you are grilling. If you don’t get a good smoky aroma from your wood pellets, then you might not be using the right kind! Here are reviews of our top favorite picks. You might find some you want to try!
1. Traeger Grills PEL331 Signature Blend
Traeger Premium wood pellets deliver unmatched pure, hardwood taste to your food. It provides a perfect blend of hickory, maple and cherry hardwoods which pairs beautifully with beef.
These pellets are made from 100% pure all natural hardwood. Traeger does not use binding agents or fillers in their wood pellets. This product will give you 20-pounds of smoky flavors to last you a long time in your grill or smoker.
Pros
- 100% food grade hardwood pellets
- Blend of hickory, maple and cherry
- No binding agents or fillers
- 20-pounds
Cons
- Some consumers complain of significant saw dust
2. CookinPellets 40-Pound Perfect Mix Pellets
CookinPellets provides this product which consists of a perfect mix of hickory, cherry, hard maple and apple hardwoods. The company stands behind their claim that they do not use any oak or alder fillers.
CookinPellets only uses the heart woods or center of the log when they make their pellets. They do not use any bark which tends to produce more ash when it is heated.
Pros
- Consists of hickory, cherry, hard maple and apple hardwoods
- No oak or alder fillers
- Uses only the heart woods
- Does not include bark
Cons
- Takes a long time to heat
3. RecTec Grills Ultimate Blend Pellets, 40-Pound (2-Pack)
These wood pellets are a blend of oak and hickory woods. They will work in any pellet grill and provide consistent quality smoke. They produce very minimal ash and hold temperature extremely well.
The oak in these pellets produces a very recognizable mild smoke. There are no additives or binders used, and the company claims to have less than 1% of ash production. You will be pleased with the smoky flavors of your food when using these pellets.
Pros
- Blend of white oak, red oak and hickory
- Works with any pellet grill
- Produces less than 1% of ash
- No additives or binders
Cons
- Pellets should be stored in a dry location
4. BBQ’rs Delight Super Smoker Variety Value Pack Smoking Pellets
This product is a variety pack of several wood pellet flavors. It consists of 1-pound of each of the following flavors: Apple, Hickory, Mesquite, Cherry, Pecan and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.
There is no need to soak these pellets prior to use. You can obtain a thick smoky flavor with only ⅓-cup of pellets. These pellets will work with any type of outside grill. The pellets are to be used as additives to pellet fuel to provide additional flavors to your food.
Pros
- Total of 6-pounds of pellets
- Flavors include apple, hickory, mesquite, cherry, pecan and Jack Daniel’s
- No need to soak pellets
Cons
- Pellets tend to burn quickly
5. CookinPellets 40H Hickory Smoking Pellets
This product from CookinPellets consists of 100% hickory hardwood pellets. These pellets do not contain any additives or fillers. They also do not contain any oak or alder filler.
CookinPellets does not use bark in their wood pellets. They only use the center of the log when making pellets. The company prides themselves on low ash production when using their pellets.
Pros
- Consists of 100% hickory hardwood
- No oak or alder fillers
- Uses only the center of wood logs
- Does not include bark
Cons
- Takes a long time to heat
6. Pit Boss Competition Blend BBQ Wood Pellets, 2-Pack 40-Pound Bags
These wood pellets are a blend of hickory, maple and apple hardwoods. They produce a complex, balanced flavor and are recommended for everything except for fish.
Pit Boss pellets do not contain any artificial flavors, spray scents, glues or chemicals. They are sourced from woods across North America. These pellets produce a thick flavored smoke that will leave your food bursting with smoky flavors.
Pros
- Blend of hickory, maple and apple hardwoods
- Recommended for everything but fish
- Does not contain artificial flavors
Cons
- Pellets tend to burn quickly
7. Camp Chef Smoker Grill Premium Apple Hardwood Pellets, 20-pounds, 2-Pack
These Camp Chef pellets are great for cooking chicken, pork, fish and vegetables. They are produced from 100% all natural food grade hardwood orchard apple trees. The apple wood adds a delicious flavor to whatever food you grill or smoke.
The pellets provide an efficient burn for more time grilling and less time cleaning up remaining ash. They have lower moisture for better performance. These pellets do not contain any added fillers or flavors. You will get delicious smoke-infused foods every time with these pellets.
Pros
- Made from 100% all natural food grade hardwood orchard apple trees
- Low moisture and low ash
- Provide efficient burn
Cons
- Price point is somewhat high
8. BBQ’rs Delight Oak Wood Pellets, 1-Pound Bag
This is a single 1-pound bag of 100% all natural oak wood pellets. These pellets are easy to use with all outdoor grills. These pellets do not need to be soaked prior to use.
The pellets will produce a heavy smoke with no after-taste. They work well with beef, pork, poultry and fish and will give your food a wonderful smoked color. The pellets are to be used as additives to pellet fuel and will provide additional flavors for your food.
Pros
- 100% all natural oak wood pellets
- No need to soak pellets
- Delivers heavy smoke with no after-taste
Cons
- Pellets tend to burn quickly
9. Lumber Jack 100% Hickory Wood BBQ Grilling Pellets, 20-Pound Bag
The Lumber Jack wood pellets are made from actual trees instead of from residual wood. They use the bark and cambium layer of the trees which is the area where most of the flavor resides.
These pellets are made in a smaller diameter in order to create a hotter burn and provide more smoke to more surface area. The pellets pair nicely with beef, pork or poultry. You will be impressed with the smoke-infused flavors produced by these wood pellets.
Pros
- 100% Hickory hardwood
- Uses wood from the bark and cambium layer of the trees
- Pellets are smaller in diameter than most
Cons
- Does not produce enough smoke
10. Bear Mountain BBQ 100% All Natural Mesquite Hardwood Pellets
This is a 20-pound bag of mesquite flavored hardwood pellets. These pellets provide a balanced sweet and smoky flavor which blends well with any meat, fish, poultry or even vegetables.
There are no binders, fillers or additives and the pellets are made from 100% all natural premium hardwood. You can use these pellets with all outdoor pellet, gas or charcoal grills. Try these pellets out and see if you can tell the difference in the smoke-infused flavors.
Pros
- 100% all natural hardwood pellets
- Mesquite flavored
- No binders, fillers or additives
Cons
- Produces considerable dust and ash
11. Pit Boss 55433 BBQ Apple Wood Pellets, 40-Pounds
These wood pellets produce an apple-infused smoky flavor. They produce a mild yet sweet taste that is optimal for pork, poultry and vegetables. These wood pellets do not contain any artificial flavors, spray scents, glues or chemicals.
They burn hotter and cleaner than most wood pellets. They are easy to use and are made of 100% all natural hardwoods. Pit Boss pellets are known as the easiest fuel to use, producing less than 1% of ash which makes clean up a breeze. The immense apple flavor from these pellets will leave your mouth watering for more.
Pros
- 100% all natural hardwoods
- Apple flavor
- Does not contain artificial flavors, spray scents or chemicals
- Produces less than 1% ash
Cons
- Pellets do not burn very hot
12. Camp Chef Competition Blend Pellets
These Camp Chef pallets are 100% all natural food grade pellets. They are made from premium solid hardwoods and contain a perfect blend of maple, hickory and cherry.
These pellets do not contain any added fillers or flavors and they provide an efficient burn with little ash production. The pellets are great for cooking chicken, pork, fish and vegetables. You will get consistently flavorful smoke-infused foods with these pellets.
Pros
- 100% all natural food grade pellets
- Blend of maple, hickory and cherry
- Low moisture and low ash
- Provide efficient burn
Cons
- Price point is somewhat high
13. Louisiana Grills 55405 Competition Blend Pellets, 40-Pounds
These Competition Blend BBQ hardwood pellets is a perfect blend of sweet, savory and tart. The wood blend consists of 50% maple, 25% hickory and 25% cherry. This blend produces a perfect balance of smoke and flavor.
These pellets produce very little dust and they burn efficiently in pellet grills or smokers. If you smoke a lot of vegetables, this blend will not overpower the vegetable taste. You will be pleased with the results you get from these wood pellets.
Pros
- Blend of 50% maple, 25% hickory and 25% cherry
- Provides a balance of smoke and flavor
- Produces little dust
Cons
- Pellets tend to burn quickly
14. BBQ’rs Delight Jack Daniels Smoking BBQ Pellets 20-Pounds
This is a 20-pound bag of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey flavored wood pellets. These pellets are made from the mellowing charcoal which gives Jack Daniel’s whiskey it’s smooth taste.
These pellets can be used as a fuel for your pellet-fired cooker or you can mix it with other flavors. Since the pellets contain charcoal, they will greatly boost the fire in your fire pit!
Pros
- 20-pound bag
- Made from 100% all natural premium oak mixed with flavorwood
- No need to soak pellets
Cons
- Pellets tend to burn hot
15. Bear Mountain BBQ 100% All Natural Hardwood Pellets, Gourmet Blend 20-Pounds
These pellets from Bear Mountain BBQ are made from 100% all natural hardwood. The gourmet blend produces a balanced sweet and smoky flavor. It’s the perfect blend for any meat, fish, poultry or for vegetables.
Bear Mountain BBQ does not use binders, fillers or additives in their wood pellets. The gourmet blend will infuse your food with a robust flavor and tenderness. You will want to create this same flavor again and again after you experience it for the first time!
Pros
- 100% all natural hardwood pellets
- Gourmet blend provides a balanced sweet and smoky flavor
- No binders, fillers or additives
Cons
- Takes a long time to light and heat up
16. Lumber Jack LJACK40-Blend Competition Blend 40-Pound BBQ Grilling Wood Pellets
These Lumber Jack Competition Blend wood pellets are a balanced blend of maple, hickory and cherry woods. Lumber Jack is considered a round log plant which means they harvest actual trees instead of using residual wood. They do not remove the bark from the wood they use since this is where a majority of the flavor resides.
The wood pellets are made in a smaller diameter which creates a hotter burn. You will appreciate the burn efficiency of these pellets and will love the smoke-infused flavors that are produced.
Pros
- Blend of maple, hickory and cherry woods
- Uses wood from the bark of trees
- Pellets are smaller in diameter than most
Cons
- Does not produce enough smoke
17. Lumber Jack BBQ 7 Varieties Pellet Pack
This product is a variety pack of several wood pellet flavors. It consists of 1-pound bags of each of the following flavors: apple, cherry, pecan, hickory, maple-hickory-cherry blend, mesquite and maple.
These pellets are made from 100% hardwoods. You do not need to soak these pellets prior to use. You can experiment with a blend of several flavors or just a single flavor at a time. This will help you figure out which smoke-infused flavors you like the best.
Pros
- Variety pack of 7 flavors
- Made from 100% hardwoods
- No need to soak pellets
Cons
- 1-pound is not enough to determine best flavor
18. Traeger Winemaker’s Blend Premium Hardwood Pellets
Traeger’s Winemaker’s Blend wood pellets is best used with beef, chicken, pork and vegetables. The smoky flavor is inspired by the flavors that are found in oak barrels used in craft wines and small batch spirits.
Mondavi wines partnered with Traeger to create this special Winemaker’s Blend. The wood pellets are a balanced blend of oak, hickory, alder and apple hardwoods. These woods add a unique sweet and subtle spice to any meal you create.
Pros
- 100% food grade hardwood pellets
- Blend of oak, hickory, alder and apple hardwoods
- No binding agents or fillers
- Partnered with Mondavi wines
Cons
- Takes time to heat up and burn
19. BBQ’rs Delight Apple Flavor Wood Smoking Pellets 20-Pounds
BBQ’rs apple flavored wood pellets are made of premium oak mixed with flavorwoods. The pellets do not need to be soaked prior to use and will produce a heavy smoke with no after-taste.
These pellets work well with beef, pork, poultry and fish. They produce a sweet, fruity smoke and you will see a wonderful smoked color after using these pellets.
Pros
- Mixture of premium oak and flavorwoods
- No need to soak pellets
- Delivers heavy smoke with no after-taste
Cons
- Apple flavor is not strong
20. BBQ Pit Boys Garlic Blend Wood Pellets 20-Pound Bag
These wood pellets produce a roasted garlic flavorful smoke. The wood pellets are made of 100% raw wood and ignite quickly to create a delicate smoky flavor. These pellets are all natural and do not contain any fillers or additives.
Once you start burning these pellets, you will begin to smell a subtle, yet flavorful blend of roasted garlic that will transform your grill or smoker into a delightfully fragrant chamber.
Pros
- Made of 100% raw wood
- Ignite quickly
- No fillers or additives
- Roasted garlic smoky flavor
Cons
- Burns too hot and does not produce enough smoke
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you choose a specific wood pellet to try in your smoker, here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
What Are Smoking Wood Pellets?
Wood pellets are made from pieces of real wood. The wood is shredded into tiny pieces and dried before being forced through a very small hole in a die-cut plate. The wood is compressed and eventually hardens to hold the wood in the pellet shape.
What Are The Best Flavors For Smoking?
There are many wood pellet flavors you can choose from. Some flavors pair up better with specific foods than others. For example, apple flavored pellets pair up best with lamb or seafood, whereas hickory tastes best when infused with pork and ribs. The best flavor is really a subjective answer as it depends on what you like to taste!
Conclusion
As you can tell, there are a ton of different wood pellet brands and flavors available. It is hard to know which one is the best, but it never hurts to try various brands and flavors. Once you find a brand and flavor that you like, make a note of what meat you paired it with so you can reference it next time around.