Whether you prefer beef, pork, poultry, or fish, you can take your pick of the best wood pellets for smoking when it’s time to prepare your meat.
We researched and tested the best wood pellets for smoking, evaluating them on flavor, smoke production, and ease of use. Our top pick, BEAR MOUNTAIN Premium BBQ Smoker Pellets, has a strong, rich flavor and produces plenty of smoke to flavor your meat.
Here are the best wood pellets for smoking.
Best Wood Pellets For Smoking: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Wood Pellets For Smoking Reviews
- MAPLE, HICKORY, CHERRY BLEND: Competition blend is the Jack of All Trades. It's great with poultry, pork, baking, veggies, beef, and seafood. HARDWOODS: Camp Chef Hardwood pellets are not a byprouct. It is 100% pure virgin hardwoods.
- NO OILS, CHEMICALS OR BINDERS ADDED: No oils, chemicals or binders added mean better flavor and a more efficient burn.
- The kiln dried process creates low moisture content for a very dry, hot burning pellet. This means it burns less to maintain your desired temperature, giving you more pellets for your next barbecue and less ash to clean.
- SAFE IN ALL PELLET GRILLS, SMOKERS AND BARBECUES: You never have to worry about what you're putting in your grill. Camp Chef Premium Hardwood pellets are safe in all pellet grills, smokers, and barbecues.
- MADE IN THE U.S.A: We're proud to say our pellets are made in the U.S.A—Arkansas and Missouri to be exact. This allows us to test and inspect them before they're bagged and in your hopper.
- Gourmet Blend BBQ pellets add a sweet, smoky flavor to your favorite red meats or vegetable dishes; Wood pellets that are sure to delight with its smell from a wood pellet stove
- Made from 100-percent all-natural hardwood pellets for grilling with no fillers or additives for the ideal mix; Great for use with all outdoor pellet grills or pellet smokers for an authentic outdoor blend
- Low moisture content provides a well-balanced smoke using wood pellets for grill; Ensures a cleaner wood pellet smoker and more efficient burn for outdoor grilling with friends and family at home
- Equipped with smoking pellets that add a well-balanced barbeque flavor to your favorite grilled dishes; Use them as wood pellets for smoking, allowing for a versatile, delicious taste for all to enjoy
- Ideal for all outdoor pellet grills, smokers, gas, charcoal, and electric grills; Weighs 40 pounds; Bear Mountain pellets that enhance the taste of your favorite grilled dishes
- MacLean's Authentic Apple Wood Smoking Pellets offer a Subtle, Sweet flavor that blends well with other woods and give a distinct fruity taste
- Apple Wood Pellets are perfect for Fish, Pork or Poultry, giving you flavor-infusing smoke that is, by far, WORTH the experience!
- MacLean's Premium BBQ Smoking Wood Products are safe to use in ALL brands and types of pellet grills, including Traeger, Pitt Boss & Shark Ninja, as well as Charcoal Grills and Smokers. Natural Wood, Better Flavor.
- MacLean’s Smoking Woods are available in liquor, fruit or blended flavored chips and pellets to perfectly match any meat, poultry, vegetable, or side on your menu, no matter how you grill.
- MADE FROM RECLAIMED LIQUOR BARRELS: These pellets are made from reclaimed liquor barrels and natural wood for better flavor and longer burning.
- ENHANCE FLAVOR: This premium blend is perfectly blended to pair with any protein you're smoking.
- LONG LASTING SMOKE: These pellets provide a consistent smoke for all outdoor pellet grills and smokers.
- NOT JUST FOR PELLET GRILLS: For Gas grills, use a smoke tube or covered foil pouch on or below the cooking grate. For Charcoal grills, place pellets directly on the coals.
- 20 POUND BAG: 20 pounds of premium quality wood pellets.
- MacLean's Authentic Rum Barrel BBQ Smoking Pellets are cut from retired Rum Barrels used to slowly age many of the best brands of Caribbean Rum, this gives your foods a Mild, Smoke flavor and a distinct taste of rum.
- MacLean's Authentic Rum Barrel Smoking Pellets work well with all meats, but are perfectly blended for red meats such as beef, pork, and fish, giving you flavor-infusing smoke that is, by far, WORTH the experience!
- MacLean's Premium BBQ Smoking Wood Products are safe to use in ALL brands and types of pellet grills, including Traeger, Pitt Boss & Shark Ninja, as well as Charcoal Grills and Smokers.
- MacLean’s Smoking Woods are available in liquor, fruit or blended flavored chips and pellets to perfectly match any meat, poultry, vegetable, or side on your menu, no matter how you grill.
- HICKORY WOOD FIRED FLAVOR: Traeger Hickory Hardwood Pellets are great for naturally enhancing beef, chicken, pork, and veggies with full-bodied, bold flavor. So it should come as no surprise that Hickory’s assertive flavor is one of the most popular choices for classic BBQ cooking.
- NOT ALL PELLETS ARE CREATED EQUAL: The best wood-fired grill on the market demands the best wood pellets on the market. Real taste doesn’t just happen, it’s tied to quality materials and achieving perfect smoke. It starts with all-natural hardwood pellets made in American mills.
- TRAEGER HAS SPENT YEARS DEVELOPING THE PERFECT PELLET: Our hardwood's unique compact cell structure results in a balanced, dependable burn. Traeger has spent years mastering the development of hardwood pellets that have just the right amount of moisture content—the sweet spot—to maintain a perfect burn-to-smoke ratio
- PAIRS WELL WITH EVERYTHING: Pairs especially well with Beef, Poultry, Pork, Vegetables
- FEATURES: Made in USA, Premium Quality, All-Natural, Clean Burn, No Binders, Low Ash, 20lb Bag. PLEASE NOTE: Pictured with new packaging, you may receive old packaging.
- REAL CHARCOAL: Royal Oak 100 Percent Real Hardwood Charcoal Pellets sear in authentic barbecue flavor when grilling or smoking
- NO ADDITIVES: Made from real hardwood without additives or coatings, giving you the tasty, smoky flavor of real barbecue
- FOR ANY PELLET GRILL: Safe for any pellet grill, letting you use your favorite brand while still getting that real barbecue flavor
- WATER RESISTANT: Pellets are resistant to water and do not clog augers, making for easy, hassle-free cleaning
- HIGH HEAT: Burns at temperatures high enough to grill in that authentic barbecue flavor you crave
- AMAZING WOOD FIRED FLAVOR - Stop using "upcycled" sawdust swept off of factory floors to "flavor" your food. Kona best BBQ smoking pellets start in retired orchards and sustainably harvested forests. Each tree is hand selected and processed with the sole purpose of creating the best tasting smoking pellets in the world. Compatible with Ninja Woodfire outdoor grill.
- PREMIUM HARDWOODS - Only the best trees become Kona wood pellets. Experience 1 lb of each (8 lbs total) Premium Blend, Kona Sweetwood Blend, 100% Hickory, 100% Oak, Supreme Blend, 100% Cherry, 100% Apple, 100% Mesquite Acacia
- SMOKING PELLETS WORK WITH ALL GRILL TYPES - Add to a Kona Smoker Tube and place on grill; Or, Sprinkle directly onto charcoal before grilling. NOT intended for hopper use with Traeger and similar hopper fed pellet grills.
- 100% PURE UNDILUTED HARDWOOD - Drive your neighbors wild with the pure aroma of Kona's concentrated hardwood pellets. Try this variety pack for an outstanding variety of flavors for an entire grilling season (80 uses). Only 1/3 to 1/2 cup is needed per use.
- TAKE YOUR GRILLING TO THE NEXT LEVEL - Kona wood pellets burn much hotter, creating that perfect thin blue smoke pitmasters desire. You will not be disappointed! Add to Your Cart Now!
- 100% Pecan Shell Pellets - Pellets For Smoker
- Powered by Pecan Shells: Experience true purity with our pellets—No Wood, No Additives, No Blends—just the essence of pecan in every pellet. Smokin' Pecan's Pecan Shell Pellets, crafted exclusively from 100% pecan shells.
- Perfect Pairings: Explore the versatility of our Pecan Shell Pellets—they pair exceptionally well with Beef, Poultry, Pork, Lamb, Baked Goods, Vegetables, and more.
- Quality Beyond Compare: Not all pellets are created equal. Smokin' Pecan prides itself in perfection providing you with the purest pellet that will last longer and burn hotter than most competitors on the market.
- Features: Made in Louisiana, USA, Premium Quality, All-Natural, Clean Burn, No Binders, Low Ash. Custom 20 lb Box for easy pouring.
- Sourced from the lush woodlands of northern America
- Smoking pellets are 100% all natural
- No added scents, sprays, or glues
- Ideal for grilling and smoking beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables
- Produces clean smoke
Best Wood Pellets For Smoking Buying Guide
Before choosing the best wood pellets you should consider the following options:
1. Fuel Source: Wood pellets are made from compressed sawdust or dried wood shavings. They are mainly used as a fuel source for wood pellet stoves and boilers.
Mostly made from sawdust, wood pellets are an energy-dense fuel source that has a low level of moisture and ash content.
The wood pellets are transported from the manufacturer to the end user in bags or in bulk in specialized trailers.
2. Quality: Choose wood pellets that are made from fresh, clean wood and contain a low amount of moisture.
The low-moisture content of the pellets reduces the amount of energy they consume while they are in the combustion chamber, and it reduces the amount of creosote buildup in the flue pipe.
Wood pellets with low moisture content are easier to ignite and produce more heat than other types of biomass fuel.
3. Grade: Look for wood pellets that have the fuel grade mark, which indicates that the pellets were manufactured and tested according to a set of quality standards.
The grade mark also indicates that the wood pellets have a low moisture and ash content.
4. Storage: Wood pellets are hygroscopic, which means they readily absorb moisture from the air when exposed.
If the wood pellets are exposed to air for a long period of time, they will absorb moisture and expand.
If they are transported or stored in an unenclosed container, they will release moisture and lose energy content.
Wood pellets need to be stored in an enclosed container or in a special trailer with a specifically designed venting system to remove moisture.
5. Packaging: Wood pellets come in a variety of packaging types, including bags, bulk, and special containers. Since the wood pellets absorb moisture from the air, special packaging materials are used to reduce moisture absorption.
Most manufacturers sell their wood pellets in bags or in bulk, while others sell them in a special container known as a super sack, which is designed to keep the pellets dry.
What else you should know about the best wood pellets for smoking
1. What are the best wood pellets for smoking?
The best wood pellets for smoking are made from hardwoods, such as hickory, oak, or mesquite.
2. What types of wood pellets are available for smoking?
There are many types of wood pellets available for smoking, including mesquite, hickory, apple, and cherry.
3. How do I choose the right wood pellets for smoking?
It depends on what you are smoking and your personal preferences.
4. What are the benefits of smoking with wood pellets?
Some benefits of smoking with wood pellets include:
- They can add flavor to food
- They can help cook food evenly
- They can be used to create smoke without the use of a smoker
5. How do I use wood pellets for smoking?
Wood pellets can be used for smoking in a number of ways. One way is to use them in a smoker box. This is a box that is placed in the smoker and the wood pellets are placed in the box. The wood pellets will smolder and produce smoke that will flavor the food that is being smoked.
Another way to use wood pellets for smoking is to place them directly on the coals in the smoker. This will produce a lot of smoke and the flavor will be very intense.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best wood pellets for smoking. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best wood pellets for smoking will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.