question on how long pellets last

[tenny80]

Has anyone noticed types of woods lasting a lot longer then others?

I bought a bag of pecan traeger and it was gone in about 1/2 the cooking time that I normally get out of a bag.

 

[TentHunter]

Most Traeger pellets are Alder-based with flavored oils to get the various flavors (pecan, apple, etc). Alder does not have as many BTU's as Oak, so your pellet grill will go through them faster to maintain the same temp.

That's one of the things with some of the bargain pellets. The price looks good, but if you go through more, then to me, what's the point?

 

[scooter]

I've not really noticed flavorwood impacting consumption rates. Cold ambient temps, wind and cooking at higher temps impact consumption more than flavorwood

 

[TentHunter]

I've not really noticed flavorwood impacting consumption rates. Cold ambient temps, wind and cooking at higher temps impact consumption more than flavorwood

I agree that ambient temps, wind, etc, make a HUGE difference in pellet consumption, but don't underestimating the role of BTU ratings in various woods. It does make a difference and I have experienced it as well.

As a base wood, Alder is nowhere near as dense as Oak. With about a 35% difference in BTU rating between Alder and the lowest rated oak, how could it not make a difference?

If you don't experience the colder temps like we get here then trust me; in colder weather the difference in pellets becomes more apparent.

Even with BBQer's Delight, when using maple, I burn through more pellets and neither of my pellet grills will get as hot for grilling.


Here is the most comprehensive wood BTU rating chart I think I have seen: Sweep's Library - Firewood BTU Comparison Charts

 

[Candy Sue]

Wood density in the pellets themselves is also a factor. Traeger pellets are fluffy -- made softer than others. One reason why there's more dust in the bag and the pellets are shorter. Alder is a factor too.

 

[Porkbelly Twister]

I've only used BBQ Delight Hickory, GMG fruitwood (pecan/apple/cherry) and GMG Gold blend (oak/hickory/alder I think). Of the 5 or 6 different bags of bbq delight, they were consistently loose and fast-burning. Of the 20 or so GMG (28 pound bags), the pellets have been consistent in texture, size and burn. I like the fruitwood better for pork, the Gold blend for beef and fish.

I cook on a GMG Daniel Boone, and have only once had excessive ash with the bbq delights. I have three Traeger buddies that now use GMG's, since the bags are about the same price and they hold 28 pounds instead of 20 lbs.