Pellets
- Thread starter mybubbles
- Start date
Tatonka3A2
New member
I wouldn't use any pellet that isn't marketed towards grilling or smoking.
TentHunter
Moderator
Same here... I don't spend any more for premium pellets that I was spending for charcoal with my stick burners. Why pay for a great grill then turn around and go cheap on pellets that you don't know what kind of wood is in them, may contain bark or petroleum based lubricants. It just doesn't make good sense to me. 
sparky
New member
NO, NO, NO. never ever use stove pellets in a pellet grill that you cook food on. bad juju for you health partner.
scooter
Moderator
I think it's reasonably safe to use stove pellets in a pellet cooker as long as you only use them during the phase of cooking where your meat is wrapped up in foil. A MAK cooker has a quick pellet dump feature that makes switching pellets a breeze.
I figure if the stove pellets have something bad in them that whatever they deposit on the cooking grate can be mostly scrubbed off with a grate cleaner before the next cook session begins and the stove pellets that remain in the auger from the last session can be used to preheat for the next.
I've not tried using stove pellets for "wrapped in foil" stage cooking. I'm still working my way through the 200lbs of Traeger pellets I bought when I purchased my Lil Tex. I'm using the Traeger pellets for the "wrapped in foil" stage until they're gone then I'll start purchasing some cheaper stove pellets to use when the meat is wrapped in foil. I prefer to use BBQrs Delight hickory for all exposed meat cooking and occasionally Bear Mountain. I would never use stove pellets on exposed meat. The health risk to my family is just not worth the cost savings.
I figure if the stove pellets have something bad in them that whatever they deposit on the cooking grate can be mostly scrubbed off with a grate cleaner before the next cook session begins and the stove pellets that remain in the auger from the last session can be used to preheat for the next.
I've not tried using stove pellets for "wrapped in foil" stage cooking. I'm still working my way through the 200lbs of Traeger pellets I bought when I purchased my Lil Tex. I'm using the Traeger pellets for the "wrapped in foil" stage until they're gone then I'll start purchasing some cheaper stove pellets to use when the meat is wrapped in foil. I prefer to use BBQrs Delight hickory for all exposed meat cooking and occasionally Bear Mountain. I would never use stove pellets on exposed meat. The health risk to my family is just not worth the cost savings.
Last edited:
The biggest differences are:
1. Potential for binders or other enhancers. Stove pellets can have additives to boost BTUs, or binders. Both of those are no good for foods. Food grade pellets use the lignin in the wood naturally to bind the pellets as they compress in the die.
2. Equipment - Machines used to produce stove pellets, typically use petroleum based lubricants, Machines used to produce food grade pellets use food safe (vegetable based) oils as lubricants.
So can you do it, yes.... is it wise to do it... no. There is a reason that they produce food grade pellets to a different standard. LOTS of threads on this... So I am sure if you look for Candy Sue's responses they are more technical and informative than mine. She produces pellets... and is a wealth of knowledge.
1. Potential for binders or other enhancers. Stove pellets can have additives to boost BTUs, or binders. Both of those are no good for foods. Food grade pellets use the lignin in the wood naturally to bind the pellets as they compress in the die.
2. Equipment - Machines used to produce stove pellets, typically use petroleum based lubricants, Machines used to produce food grade pellets use food safe (vegetable based) oils as lubricants.
So can you do it, yes.... is it wise to do it... no. There is a reason that they produce food grade pellets to a different standard.
LOTS of threads on this... So I am sure if you look for Candy Sue's responses they are more technical and informative than mine. She produces pellets... and is a wealth of knowledge.