Using non flavored pellets for grilling

[Miner49er]

If I want to lightly smoke a cut of beef or pork that takes a few hours to cook, am I able to use regular heating pellets instead of the flavored ones. Maybe the flavored ones for the first couple of hours & than switching to pellets with no flavor.
I'm new to this so excuse my ignorance.
It's not that I'm trying to cut expense but I have this smoker at my cabin that is about 65 miles from any store that carries pellets for smoking. I also use a pellet stove for heat so I usually have a ton of those guys on hand.
Just wonderin...

 

[sparky]

If I want to lightly smoke a cut of beef or pork that takes a few hours to cook, am I able to use regular heating pellets instead of the flavored ones. Maybe the flavored ones for the first couple of hours & than switching to pellets with no flavor.
I'm new to this so excuse my ignorance.
It's not that I'm trying to cut expense but I have this smoker at my cabin that is about 65 miles from any store that carries pellets for smoking. I also use a pellet stove for heat so I usually have a ton of those guys on hand.
Just wonderin...

no, no, no. only food grade pellets. all the time. never use anything except food grade pellets.

 

[TentHunter]

What Sparky said!

ALL pellets will impart flavor, and that's the issue. Even if the manufacturer says they're safe for cooking, heating pellets can still have petroleum based lubricants, bark, etc. and you DON'T want those kinds of flavors or by products getting on your food.


If you want a lighter smoke flavor try the Pecan or Sugar Maple BBQer's Delight pellets. Pecan taste like a lighter version of hickory and Maple gives a really nice slightly sweet smoke that reminds me of how a sugar shack smells when they make maple syrup.

 

[Chili Head]

Never never never use any non food grade pellets! I like BBQ delight oak for a light smoke flavor.

 

[KyNola]

^^^What they all said!^^^

 

[Miner49er]

Thank you all for your replies. I won't do it. If I run out, I'll just use the weber. How about in reverse. Will my cabin smell like hickory if I throw some in the stove?... Just kidding