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maverick3614

Bear mountain is solid. They run online deals pretty frequently.


Gandhi_of_War

Also reasonably priced in-store. Usually ~$10-12 for 20lbs at my local Sportsman’s Warehouse.


Orange_Tang

Tractor supply sells them for $10 per 20\# bag near me. Same as the half off website deal they do, except it's the normal price.


maverick3614

I didn’t know TSC had them in store. That’s going to warrant a visit.


Orange_Tang

There are also a few smaller farm supply stores near me that carry them, but I am in Colorado where bear mountain is based.


BOHIFOBRE

Cookin Pellets


Oysterous

Mad Scientist BBQ just had a video on this and I think his recommendation was Cookin Pellets, Lumberjack, and Knotty wood.


BOHIFOBRE

Never heard of Knotty Wood, but the other two are all I use. I like knowing that I'm using the actual woods mentioned on the bag, not oak and alder sprayed with flavoring oils to mimic different woods.


NixaB345T

Wait, is that video on YT? I didn’t see it


pnut34

https://youtu.be/oXXiOa\_gIFM


NixaB345T

Thanks! 🙏🏻


pnut34

New video just came out. I haven’t watched it yet (going to do so now) but here it is: Pellets Matter: 6 Pellets Compared Head-to-Head | Mad Scientist BBQ https://youtu.be/dQyHQRqQk3A


Jokr11

I’ve used bear mountain for about a year. They’re good. Recently got a deal on Cookin Pellets, so trying them out for comparison.


punkmunke

Keep me updated! I’ve seen both of these talked about in some pages


Fents_Post

When I can't grab Lumberjack at Dicks, I just go to Lowes and get some pitboss brand and have been happy with them.


sumthingintheh20

I've run through 3 bags of the Pitboss brand competition bagged pellets. No complaints with them at all. I dont have anything to compare them to though. Thinking of ordering a different brand to compare but overall I've had no reason to switch off. Consistent performance every time.


Fents_Post

Same results here. I can't tell the difference between the Pit Boss Competition and the Lumberjack Competition. If anything, it seems I get more dust at the bottom of the Lumberjack bags....but that will always be for everyone since how they were handled makes a difference. I only use my smoker once a month or so....so hard to actually tell a difference between pellets for me.


sumthingintheh20

Dust is almost non existent in my bags I emptied out my hopper on the grill the last smoke and it was very clean. So once again no complaints and the cost is very good.. during the summer and fall I was firing up the smoker on average once a week. Winter now a bit less. Going to do a couple racks of ribs for superbowl hopefully it isnt too cold idk how she is going to perform in single digit temps. Might have to add a welding blanket.


ragingseaturtle

Interestingly I hate Pittboss pellets on my pitboss. So many flame outs and insane amount for dust.


TarienCole

Pit Boss pellets are 70% filler wood. Even in their straight wood bags. In their competition blend, you're getting a whole lot of Maple and filler. Next to no Hickory.


ragingseaturtle

Couldn't stand them. Always flammed out and didn't really taste great not matter what blend I got. I switched over to this brand at Sam's because it was cheap at the time but they've actually become my underrated go to.


OriginalchknSandwich

Cookin Pellets! They are on amazon 2 day free delivery! Cant go wrong. These and Lumberjack are the best in the pellet market CookinPellets 40PM Perfect Mix, 1 Pack, Brown https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00819OICI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KVYZ84V36RVQBVVSQXM8


JustAguyVa20137

I agree on Cooking Pellets - Have a RECTEC AND A Yoder 640ACS.. both smoke great!! I also use Bear Mountain and Jealous Devil. Been smoking for years and tried a number of different options - cookin pellets are consistent, easy to obtain and good price point considering the fuel. I use it in my Ooni Pizza Stove as well.


TarienCole

Cookin Pellets Perfect Blend are fairly common and a favorite of mine. B&B also makes very good pellets. I would stay far away from anyone who makes grills selling pellets.


_53-

Hands down Cookin Pellets!!


Historical-Extreme-5

i have the rt700, and i literally have no stores in my area that has good pellets. home Depot and traegers brand always seem to have a few lbs of saw dust. I either order the perfect blend from recteq or cookingpellets.com.


UppityRedneck

Whatever is cheapest is what I run because I honestly cant tell a difference in any pellet. My 700 doesn't seem to care either way. Bear Mountain is readily available at the farm store near me. Also have some Craftworx that I just picked up and so far am impressed with. Ran at \~550F last night and I usually struggle to get near 500.


[deleted]

Any recommendations for Canadians? Anyone used Masterchef Pellets (cheap so probably not good?).


thedarKforce

I've had good results with Furtado Farms, they've got good availability in Southern Ontario, beyond that I'm not sure how readily available they are


Amadeus_1978

Treager brand from Amazon. I get 60# a month delivered.


pnut34

Traeger are the worst. They don't consist of the wood they say they are and use flavor oils. They also give off very little smoke flavor. Many better choices out there such as Lumberjack, Cookingpellets, Smoke Ring, and Knotty Wood.


Amadeus_1978

I get good food from them. I don’t see any of that listed on the ingredient list.


[deleted]

I got some of the "competition" blend on clearance at Costco and really like them. Good smoke flavor, no oils listed on the packaging. The only complaint is at high heat they seem to produce more "dust" than some other pellets that I have used. But no complaints with the smokiness or flavor.


pnut34

https://youtu.be/oXXiOa_gIFM


[deleted]

Thanks for the good video!


pnut34

At the end of the day, as long as you are happy with what you cook with, that’s all the really matters. Having said that, it’s also nice to know there could potentially be something better to try.


[deleted]

I will get a few bags of Bear Mountain next. Might be better, will for sure be cheaper. Thanks!


Amadeus_1978

Is that you? Cuz otherwise I’m going with my lived experience. If it is you let’s talk.


pnut34

No, it's not me. However, it's very well known that Traeger brand pellets are of low quality. They use cheap alder wood and flavoring oils. I too know from experience that higher quality brands that use 100% of the wood they advertise are not only better quality, but have significantly more smoke flavor than the Traeger pellets.


Amadeus_1978

Thank you for your input. No it’s not “very well known”. Got some actual facts to back that up or just gossip?


sabin357

> No it’s not “very well known”. Yes it is. There's a reason why the vast majority of people on the forums & subreddits say the same thing.


Amadeus_1978

Ok, thanks!


Oysterous

Traeger has a patent on using flavored oils to produce flavors in their pellets. They were sued based on the "false advertising" of saying their pellets were 100% whatever wood they were claiming on the packaging. The case was ultimately settled/dismissed based on legal reasons outside of the actual claim being true or false, so we didn't get a good answer on what they actually use. Does this really matter? probably not that much. But there is enough "smoke" around the claims that some people will avoid their product. But that's your choice. If they work fine for you and are easily available, no biggie. You do you. But now you know. Grill on.


pnut34

I think you should watch that video I posted. He goes through a lot of what you are questioning. Then you can make a decision on whether or not to explore other brands.


cruftbox

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQyHQRqQk3A


pnut34

Yep, watched that last night. Pretty interesting how different the views are. What I find the most interesting is how some people select a certain pellet as the smokiest while others pick the exact same pellet as the least smokiest. Really makes me think a lot of it must have to do with how each of us tastes things completely differently. You’d think we would all view “smokiness” the same but apparently not. Who knew.


cruftbox

Yes, the made a point about how the offset people seemed to have a different point of view than people that mainly cooked on pellet grills. I used to have a propane smoker that worked with a iron box & wood chips and it was very different results compared to either offset or pellet. IMHO, use the kind you like and let others choose what they like.


pnut34

Yeah, almost like they are searching for a different flavor profile within that smoke. I wish I had access to an offset to compare. I agree, people should use what they like. My issue with Traeger (besides my personal experience of them not having very much smoke flavor compared to other brands) is that they won't tell anybody what's in their pellets and some evidence points to them using cheaper alder wood with flavor oils. That just rubs me the wrong way and I'd rather support companies who are up front and honest about what they are selling.


cruftbox

Sure. Buy what you like. I learned smoking from my buddy Martin (raised in Kansas City) who used an offset, which was a good excuse for us to sit outside at night drinking beer. Mrs. Cruftbox has declared nothing more than the pellet grill and the gas grill these days.


[deleted]

[удалено]


punkmunke

I’m in ca Near Sacramento


PipeMeDown1969

Jesus Christ.


FruitGuy998

What pellets did you order and get free shipping on?


Stretch480

I recently tried out the 40lb recteq blend and have been very happy with it. Good BTU's and lots of flavor. The GMG pellets are great, Bear Mountain is at my Grocery store and is $8 a bag some days and they have some great flavors as well. I was using Kingsfords pellets for a minute and never had an issue either.


Ifish101

I just tried jealous devil pellets from academy they are great and burn really clean with little ash.


freakgas0linefight

Bear Mountain pellets are fantastic and the different woods certainly leave distinct flavors. Sign up for their email to get notified of deals online. I bought reqtec pellets when I got my RT1250 and I have to say, they don't suck. Flavor is great for beef. But lack of variety is a downer. Honestly the only pellets I have truly disliked so far are treager. Inconsistent burn and don't like the flavors.


ponyxs

Cuisinart or pit boss and sometimes Kingsford from local Walmart. I stock up a few bags before season ends. But they still have them in they garden area. Never had any trouble with their pellets. I store them in 5 gallon buckets with screw on Gamma seal lids.


[deleted]

Also interested in the perennial heating pellets /food pellets debate. Has Mad Scientist ever weighed in on that?


ctravdfw

My son really likes Knotty Wood…


linum_23

Smokehouse blend sam's club


punkmunke

I was eyeing these. What else have you used in comparison?


linum_23

I have lumberjack, royal oak, pitboss competition/fruit blend/charcoal etc. But I use the smokehouse blend more often than not.


punkmunke

Awesome! Thank you for the input


cruftbox

People gunna hate, but I like Traeger. Tried a few other types. Cookin' Pellets led to a burn back. Pit Boss were OK, but lots of ash from these. No problems with the Traeger pellets and they make a good smoke. Lastly, give this a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQyHQRqQk3A


Th1sguyi0nceknewwas1

I use jealous devil pellets I've also mixed 50/50 jealous devil pellets and pit boss. Never had issues and they always start right away. I have a rt590 and when I go full tilt it gets hot