Traeger pellet grills are all the rage lately among both novice and seasoned grillers for several great reasons.
They are most notably famous for their effortless ignition systems, wireless connectivity, ease of use, and best of all amazing smoke flavor.
But one of the big questions Traeger grill users always ask is if they can use any pellets in a Traeger grill.
The answer is “Yes” for sure.
You can definitely use any brand pellets in a Traeger grill.
But there may be small differences in the end result.
Today, we will take a good look at this question and also find out which types of wood pellets are best to use in a Traeger grill.
Is It Ok to Use Any Brand Pellets in a Traeger Grill?
Yes, you can use any brand pellets in a Traeger grill.
Because the shape of most pellets is the same, and flavors, for the most part, are similar.
Of course, all brand pellets aren’t built the same way.
And even though they may be made differently than one another, using another brand’s pellets will not cause any damage to your Traeger grill.
I mentioned earlier that there are differences between pellets from different brands that may affect the taste of your cooked items.
For example, Pit Boss – another leading brand in the pellet grill segment makes pellets from 100 percent all-natural hardwood.
This hardwood is dried completely and ground up into very fine sawdust.
This ground sawdust is then pressurized at extreme heat to create the pellets.
The compact Pit Boss pellets are coated with the hardwood’s natural lignin to hold them together.
After that, they are made available in several different flavors including pecan, maple, and hickory.
Traeger pellets are also made from 100 percent hardwood, and go through the same process as Pit Boss pellets.
The difference between the two brand’s pellets is that Traeger pellets are topped with a special flavor oil to help enhance the flavors the company’s pellets are able to produce.
Click Here to Get Traeger Hardwood Pellets for Your Traeger Grill.
Is It Necessary to Use Only Traeger Pellets in Their Grill?
Traeger states that using pellets from another brand voids the warranty of the product.
And since Traeger pellet grills can be big-ticket purchases, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using their products.
Traeger explains why you should only use Traeger brand pellets with your Traeger grill.
The company says that their pellets are compressed at 10,000 psi.
This makes them denser, and they last longer.
On the other side, cheaper or low-quality pellets are compressed at 3000 psi, which is less dense, and burn quicker.
Then there are pellet brands that put glue in their pellets.
Due to this glue, your Traeger pellet grill can be damaged after certain time period of regular usage.
Therefore, it is best to go with company recommended Traeger Pellets only when it comes to your Trager grill.
What are the Best Pellets to Use in a Traeger?
The best pellets to use in a Traeger grill are from the brand pellet lineup, and the good news is that the company offers a plethora of great choices.
Whether it’s in the form of chips or wood pellets, it’s best to use some type of hardwood for smoking.
Wood pellets are better than wood chips because they take up less space, burn better, and are easier to store.
No. 1: Traeger Grills Apple 100% All-Natural Hardwood Pellets
Traeger apple-flavored pellets produce a light, slightly fruity flavor.
This makes them a great choice for chicken, pork, bakes, and vegetable dishes.
Made in the USA, Traeger apple-flavored pellets feature a compact cell structure that provides a perfect burn to smoke ratio.
No. 2: Traeger Grills Signature Blend 100% All-Natural Hardwood Pellets
Traeger signature blend is a mix of hickory, maple, and cherry hardwood flavors.
It also provides a clean burn, no binders, and low ash.
Whether you want to roast, bake, smoke or braise, these natural hardwood pellets are perfect choice for your Traeger grill.
No. 3: Traeger Grills PEL305 Mesquite 100% All-Natural Hardwood Pellets
Traeger mesquite hardwood pellets offer a bold, robust flavor.
And they are billed as some of the best wood pellet grills in the market.
They are especially great for cooking beef, poultry, and seafood, and provide a clean burn.
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Can You Use Regular Wood Pellets in a Traeger Grill?
You can use regular wood pellets in a Traeger grill, but it might void the warranty if you use pellets from another brand.
Furthermore, poor-quality wood pellets may not be made entirely of 100 percent hardwood, resulting in damage to your grill.
This is the reason, I would not recommend you to use other brand pellets for your Traeger grill except their own.
Are Pellet Grills Bad for Our Health?
The short answer is “No”.
Pellet grills are not bad for your health, but this also depends on the way you grill.
Smoking meat has a lot to do with the smoke produced and so are the potential health hazards associated with the process.
The primary cause of the risk of cancer tied with smoked foods is the fat in the meat.
When the fats start to sizzle, the reaction produces heterocyclic amines, also known as HCAs, which are billed as harmful.
Consuming HCAs increases the chances of cancer.
But there are ways to keep these chemicals at a minimum when you smoke.
The first thing to note is that HCAs are produced with flare-ups and uneven heat, resulting in charred meat.
So, if you maintain even or regular heat and charring; then smoking with a pellet grill is not harmful for your health.
How Long Does a Bag of Traeger Pellets Last?
Traeger smokers burn one to three pounds of pellets per hour.
Therefore, a 20 lbs bag should provide you with roughly between 6 to 20 hours of cooking time at low or high heat.
If you compare that with a 20-pound tank of liquid propane that generally costs $24 for 7.2 hours of continuous grill time (high heat), Trager pellets offer much longer cooking time.
But take note that most grilling tasks are quick.
But a smoker’s plus point is slow cooking at low temperatures.
That’s why a beef brisket for example cooks in 12 to 15 hours.
This means that cooking a beef brisket on a grill requires a lot of fuel, and money in refilling the tank.
How Many Pellets Do I Need to Put in a Traeger Grill?
Depending on the model of Traeger grill you buy, the hopper can hold anywhere between 18 lbs to 22 lbs of pellets.
Pellets are available in 20 lbs bags.
And how fast you go through them depends on how high your heat is.
Usually, the lower the heat, the more your pellets will last.
What to do When My Traeger Runs out of Pellets?
If you get a pellet low-level notification, first check your smoker’s temperature, and then refill the hopper.
Simply, open the hopper lid, and check to ensure that there are no foreign objects blocking the feed system of the Traeger grill auger.
Lastly, grab your bag of wood pellets and top up the hopper, and voila, you’re ready to start smoking!
References:
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/non-traeger-brand-pellets-in-a-traeger-grill.283719/
https://bbqblaze.com/can-you-use-traeger-without-pellets/
https://smokedandbrewed.com/can-a-pit-boss-use-traeger-pellets/
https://www.traeger.com/learn/wood-pellet-guide
https://www.traegerforum.com/threads/how-long-does-a-bag-of-pallets-last.757/
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