What pellets

[velvetant]

New to smoking, been using my Rec Tec 680 for a little over a month.
I've been using cookinpellets perfect mix and I dont care for it. Not sure what it is but something in it I don't like. I have used the Rec Tec mix that was sent with the smoker and it seems good.
Started using lumberjack pellets. I like the sweet wood mix, good flavor but subtle. The 100% apple, mesquite, pecan, maple and alder seem good . Been trying my own mixes.
I also use the Amazn smoker tube to try different flavors.
Curious what everyone is using.

 

[cmayna]

A-MAZE-N's pellets, of course
amazenproducts.com

 

[bregent]

I think you're the first person that I've ever heard that didn't like Perfect Mix :) Have you tried their 100% hickory? It's very nice. But I usually just run Lumberjack hickory with a little cherry mixed in. A-Maze-N pellets are fine if you're just running an AMNPS or tube, but way too expensive if you run a pellet grill.

 

[troutman]

Lumber jack here

 

[velvetant]

Not sure if I'm doing something wrong but I have read it's pretty hard to over smoke with a pellet grill.
I think you're right about me being the only one that doesn't like them from all the good reviews I've read about the perfect pellets.
So far lumberjack pellets are doing better for me.
This weekend I'm trying spare ribs with the 3-2-1 method

 

[sportsbeerfood]

I have a CharGriller Pellet Grill and I cant find pellets that burn evenly or produce any smoke flavor. Ive used Lumberjack and Traeger brand pellets with a smoke tube and the smoke flavor isnt there. I dont like to hear negative things about the rec tec 680 cause that was gonna possibly be my upgrade. Any advice on the best pellet grill and best pellets would be awesome. Thanks and happy Q!!
Lucas

 

[velvetant]

Absolutely no problem with my Rec Tec 680, I love the grill. Just not happy with the Cookinpellets flavor.
My Lumberjack mesquite smoked hambugers are by far the best burgers I have ever cooked.
I've also done meatloaf and pulled pork with the various Lumberjack pellets and enjoyed them very much.

I would recommend the Rec Tec without hesitation

 

[sportsbeerfood]

Im gonna buy myself an Oklahoma Joe offset anyways but always wanna have a pellet grill also. Ive been intrested in the rec tec and GMG

 

[bregent]

I have a CharGriller Pellet Grill and I cant find pellets that burn evenly or produce any smoke flavor. Ive used Lumberjack and Traeger brand pellets with a smoke tube and the smoke flavor isnt there. I dont like to hear negative things about the rec tec 680 cause that was gonna possibly be my upgrade. Any advice on the best pellet grill and best pellets would be awesome. Thanks and happy Q!!
Lucas

My experience with several different pellet grills is that they all produce approximately the same amount of smoke flavor. If you're not getting enough smoke with your current pellet grill plus a smoke tube, I doubt a different pellet grill will solve that problem. Fact is, different folks like different levels of smoke and some are never satisfied with the lower levels that pellet grills provide, while others think the level is perfect.

 

[sportsbeerfood]

Im ready for an offset for sure. Oklahoma Joe sounds like the best bet for the price

 

[sportsbeerfood]

The Lumberjacks I used burned evenly with little temp swing but little smoke flavor in meat.

 

[tallbm]

I have a CharGriller Pellet Grill and I cant find pellets that burn evenly or produce any smoke flavor. Ive used Lumberjack and Traeger brand pellets with a smoke tube and the smoke flavor isnt there. I dont like to hear negative things about the rec tec 680 cause that was gonna possibly be my upgrade. Any advice on the best pellet grill and best pellets would be awesome. Thanks and happy Q!!
Lucas

What Lumberjack pellets are you using in the smoke tube?

 

[Moose364]

I use Lumber Jack pellets myself. I have read good things about BBQ Delight pellets but have not tried them yet

 

[hagewood91]

I have used several brands in two different grill/smokers. First I used a chargriller grill/smoker. No matter what pellet was used, it always was lackluster on smoke production, however, the best was cookinpellets 100% hickory. With that said, after I bought my RecTec, I had no problem with smoke production. Using the same cookinpellets, I got a totally different smoke profile. I just finished up a bag of hickory cookinpellets, and am going to try the pitboss brand. I got the competition blend. I hope these do well since you can get them at Walmart, and they are half the price of all the others. I have heard good things about them but until next weekend, I will not have any input on them. Just stay away from the brands with "flavored" wood.

 

[sportsbeerfood]

I have used several brands in two different grill/smokers. First I used a chargriller grill/smoker. No matter what pellet was used, it always was lackluster on smoke production, however, the best was cookinpellets 100% hickory. With that said, after I bought my RecTec, I had no problem with smoke production. Using the same cookinpellets, I got a totally different smoke profile. I just finished up a bag of hickory cookinpellets, and am going to try the pitboss brand. I got the competition blend. I hope these do well since you can get them at Walmart, and they are half the price of all the others. I have heard good things about them but until next weekend, I will not have any input on them. Just stay away from the brands with "flavored" wood.

So hated your Chargriller pellet grill as well? Im interested in a GMG.

 

[hagewood91]

I didn't hate my chargriller. It still helped me produce some of the best food I have ever made up until I got my RecTec. I also have a Louisiana Grill at hand too. ( My brother in law lives next door and just got it). The PID on the rectec, and the extreme smoke button really puts the icing on the cake for smoke production out of a pellet smoker. Add in a tube of your favorite pellets and I don't see how anyone would need more smoke. Just look at the smoke on this butt I did last week. Nice and pink with a great bark on it as well!

 

[Moose364]

Man that looks awesome, I just need a sammich now, and I agree once you get a Good built pellet smoker you don't have to worry about not having enough smoke. I have a smoker Brother's that I love.

 

[bregent]

>Just look at the smoke on this butt I did last week.

That butt looks great. But just to be clear, the smoke ring has nothing to do with smoke - it comes from other combustion gasses. You can have great smoke ring and zero smoke flavor, and have great smoke flavor and zero smoke ring.

 

[hagewood91]

That is good to know. I can assure you it had great smoke flavor, as did the beans that were sitting beside it! Thank you for the heads up though!

 

[Moose364]

When you burn wood, it creates a gas known as nitrogen dioxide. The gas dissolves on the wet surface of the meat, binding with the myoglobin, and preventing it from becoming that dreaded brown metmyoglobin. The smoke locks in that prized pink color.
The pink smoke ring occurs only on the outside edge of the meat because the nitrogen gas absorbs from the outside in. Typical smoke rings will be 1/8 to 1/2 inch deep. Want to achieve that 1/2 inch ring? The key is moisture. The dissolved gas can’t go very far into the meat if the surface is bone dry.