Pellet grills have made smoking more accessible than ever—but not all pellets are created equal. If you care about flavor, efficiency, and keeping your smoker running smoothly, it’s time to look deeper than what the label says on the bag.

In this episode of the Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ Podcast, we dug into what makes a good smoking pellet, how to spot the not-so-good ones, and which brands you can actually trust.

Sure, you can grab a cheap bag of pellets at your local big-box store, but here’s what most people don’t realize:

• Many “flavored” pellets (cherry, hickory, etc.) only contain a small percentage of that wood
• The rest is often made up of fillers like oak or alder
• Brands usually don’t disclose the exact ratio

So while you think you’re getting 100% applewood, you might only be getting 20% apple and 80% oak.

That can seriously affect both smoke flavor and performance.

A high-quality pellet should be:

• Made entirely from the wood listed on the bag (no blends or fillers unless clearly stated)
• Food-safe (never use home-heating pellets)
• Low in moisture and dust
• Burn cleanly and consistently

You want pellets that deliver flavor, efficiency, and low ash output—all signs of quality.

Here are some brands I’ve personally tested or consistently heard good things about: