Ever bite into a perfectly smoked brisket or juicy grilled chicken and wonder about the secret ingredient? Often, the magic comes from the wood smoke, especially when using a Traeger grill. Traeger grills use wood pellets to create that authentic, smoky flavor we all crave. But walk down the grilling aisle, and you face a wall of bags: hickory, apple, pecan, competition blend… How do you pick the right one for your next cookout?
Choosing the wrong pellets can lead to disappointing results—a flavor that’s too weak, too harsh, or just plain wrong for the meat you are cooking. It’s frustrating when you spend hours tending a fire only to have the smoke flavor fall flat. You want consistent heat and delicious taste every time you fire up that grill.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the best wood pellet choices specifically for your Traeger. You will learn which woods pair perfectly with beef, chicken, and vegetables, ensuring every meal is a backyard masterpiece. Keep reading to master the art of Traeger pellet selection and unlock your grill’s full smoky potential.
Top Wood Pellets For Traeger Recommendations
- SIGNATURE BLEND WOOD FIRED FLAVOR: The flavors of hickory, maple, and cherry hardwoods combine for in our Traeger Signature Blend Hardwood Pellets for flavor that can take on just about anything you cook; From classic BBQ meats, to fish and veggies, this versatile blend gives you full-bodied flavor you'll go back to time and time again
- 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, Lamb, Seafood, Baked Goods, Vegetables
- FEATURES: Made in USA, Premium Quality, All-Natural, Clean Burn, No Binders, Low Ash, 18lb Bag
- 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, 18lb Bag.
- PECAN WOOD FIRED FLAVOR: Traeger Pecan Hardwood Pellets offer an ultra-versatile, slightly nutty flavor that works with any meat, not to mention veggies, fish, and even baked goods.
- 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, Lamb, Baked Goods, Vegetables
- FEATURES: Made in USA, Premium Quality, All-Natural, Clean Burn, No Binders, Low Ash, 18lb Bag.
- Maple, Hickory, and 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 bbq pellets are not a byproduct. They are 100% pure virgin hardwoods.
- No Oils, Chemicals, or Binders Added: No oils, chemicals or binders added mean better flavor and a more efficient burn.
- Kiln-Dried: 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 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.
- The information below is per-pack only
- SIGNATURE BLEND WOOD FIRED FLAVOR: The flavors of hickory, maple, and cherry hardwoods combine for in our Traeger Signature Blend Hardwood Pellets for flavor that can take on just about anything you cook; From classic BBQ meats, to fish and veggies, this versatile blend gives you full-bodied flavor you'll go back to time and time again
- 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, Lamb, Seafood, Baked Goods, Vegetables
- OAK FLAVOR: pairs well with pork, poultry, and veggies. However, it's great with seafood, baking, and beef. 100%
- 100% 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.
- KILN-DRIED: 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.
- No artificial flavors, spray scents, glues or chemicals
- Burn hotter and cleaner
- Pellets are easy to use, great tasting and all natural, forcing the natural juices in the wood to bind the pellets together
- Our raw wood is sourced across North America to make a superior product
- 100% all natural hardwood pellets
Choosing the Best Wood Pellets for Your Traeger Grill
Using wood pellets in your Traeger grill gives your food amazing smoky flavor. But not all pellets are the same. This guide helps you pick the perfect fuel for your next barbecue masterpiece.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for Traeger pellets, look closely at these features. They make a big difference in how your grill performs and how your food tastes.
- Flavor Variety: Different woods give different tastes. Do you want mild smoke or strong flavor?
- Moisture Content: Lower moisture means the pellets burn hotter and cleaner. Look for pellets under 10% moisture.
- Ash Content: Less ash means less cleanup. High-quality pellets produce very little ash.
- Pellet Uniformity: Good pellets are all the same size. Uneven sizes cause inconsistent burning.
Important Materials: What Makes Good Pellets?
Wood pellets are simply compressed sawdust. The type of wood used is the most important factor.
Best Wood Choices for Flavor
- Hickory: A classic, strong flavor. Great for beef and pork.
- Mesquite: Very strong and bold. Excellent for brisket or steaks.
- Apple/Cherry: Fruity and mild. Perfect for chicken, fish, and desserts.
- Oak: A balanced, medium smoke flavor. It works well with almost everything.
Avoid “Filler” Woods: Some cheaper pellets mix in woods like alder or even construction scraps. Always choose 100% hardwood pellets. Never use pellets made from treated wood.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the pellet directly affects your grilling success. High-quality pellets offer a better experience.
What Makes Pellets Great?
- 100% Hardwood: Only pure hardwood should be used. This guarantees clean smoke and great flavor.
- Made in the USA: Pellets sourced from domestic hardwood often have better quality control.
- Proper Compression: Tightly packed pellets last longer in the hopper and burn more evenly.
What Lowers Pellet Quality?
- Contaminants: If the pellets contain glue, oil, or unknown softwoods, the smoke will taste bad.
- Old Stock: Old pellets can absorb moisture from the air. Soggy pellets won’t light properly.
- Too Much Dust: Fine dust settles in your grill auger, which can cause jams or inconsistent feeding.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use your pellets changes what you should buy. Think about what you cook most often.
For Long Smokes (Brisket, Ribs): You need consistent, long-lasting heat. Choose larger bags of a reliable, medium-flavor wood like Oak or Hickory. These pellets must burn steadily for 10 to 14 hours.
For Quick Grilling (Burgers, Chicken): Flavor matters, but you don’t need all-day burn time. Smaller, specialized bags (like Apple or Pecan) work well for quick meals.
Mixing Flavors: Many grill masters mix two types of pellets. They might mix strong Mesquite with mild Alder to create a custom smoke profile. This lets you experiment!
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Traeger Pellets
Q: Can I use any wood pellets in my Traeger?
A: You should only use pellets specifically made for pellet grills, like Traeger’s brand or other 100% hardwood grill pellets. Never use furnace fuel pellets.
Q: Do different wood flavors taste different on food?
A: Yes, they do! Hickory is strong for beef, while Cherry is sweet for poultry. Your food will taste smoky, but the specific wood changes the final flavor note.
Q: How long do wood pellets stay fresh?
A: If stored correctly in a cool, dry place, pellets last about one year. Once opened, try to use them within 3 to 6 months.
Q: Should I mix different types of wood pellets?
A: Many people mix them! Mixing lets you create a custom smoke flavor that you enjoy most. Just make sure both types are high-quality hardwood.
Q: What is the best wood for grilling vegetables?
A: Milder woods work best for vegetables. Try Pecan, Apple, or a light Alder to add smoke without overpowering the natural vegetable flavor.
Q: Why are some wood pellets so much more expensive?
A: Higher-priced pellets usually mean better sourcing. They often use premium, single-species hardwood and have very low dust and ash content.
Q: Can I reuse pellets left over in the hopper?
A: Yes, you can reuse them, but check their condition first. If they feel damp or smell musty, throw them out to prevent grill problems.
Q: What is the difference between “Competition Blend” and single-wood pellets?
A: A Competition Blend is usually a mix of 2 or 3 popular woods (like Oak, Hickory, and Mesquite). Single-wood pellets give you just one distinct flavor.
Q: How much ash should I expect from good pellets?
A: Good pellets produce very little ash—usually less than 1% of their weight. You will clean the ash pot every 3 to 5 cooks.
Q: Do I need to buy Traeger brand pellets?
A: No. Many other companies make excellent 100% hardwood grill pellets that work perfectly well in Traeger grills. Check the quality features listed above.