How Are BBQ Wood Pellets Made?
You have asked "How Are BBQ Wood Pellets Made?" Here's our answer! For those who love to grill, they’re always looking for the best flavors for their meat, vegetables, and other dishes. There are several fuel sources to choose from when grilling, and wood pellets are a popular choice for many. At The Outdoor Appliance Store, we’ve met many customers who love their pellet grills and are always looking for how they can improve the flavor and texture of their food. They know how to use their grill, but they want to make sure they’re using the proper pellets each time. That can often lead to the question, “How are wood pellets made?”, and in this blog, we’ll hopefully answer that question.
Raw Materials
BBQ Wood Pellets obviously require raw materials such as scrap lumber and sawdust, and the mills that create the pellets receive truckloads of these materials every single day. If the materials are larger, such as scrap lumber or trees, the mill will put them through a chipper or hammer press that breaks the wood into smaller, more consistent pieces. If the materials are wet, they will need to be dried before they can be pressed into pellets. The mills will dry the materials in a large drum that’s fueled by natural gas, a sawdust burner, or another heat source.
Creating the Pellets
Once the materials are dry, they are put into pellet dies that maintain an intense amount of pressure. The materials bind together during this process, and the mill can create different sizes and densities of pellets for different purposes. Once they’ve been pressed, the pellets are cooled down (which allows them to harden) and stored to await bagging. The pellets are then placed in various sizes of bags, loaded onto pallets, and sent out for distribution.
Finding Your Flavor
The flavor that a BBQ wood pellets provides comes from the type of wood that was used to make them. Hardwoods such as cherry or hickory will transfer their flavors to your food, and there are different flavors that are better for different meats. Hickory is a good choice for beef and pork, while applewood can be better for chicken and baked items such as bread. Since your pellet grill can be used as a smoker or convection oven as well, it’s important to know what flavor will be best for what you’re making.
BBQ Pellet Flavor Recommendations
Wood pellets used in pellet grills are typically made from hardwoods and can impart distinct flavors to the food being cooked. Here's a comparison of some common types of wood pellets used in pellet grills along with their flavor profiles:
Hickory: Hickory is known for its strong, smoky, and slightly sweet flavor. It's a popular choice for smoking meats, especially pork and beef.
Mesquite: Mesquite imparts a bold, robust, and often intense smoky flavor. A slightly sweeter flavor than hickory and is common in Texas-style barbecue.
Apple: Apple wood pellets provide a mild and sweet smoke flavor with a fruity undertone. It's versatile and pairs well with various meats.
Cherry: Cherry wood pellets offer a mild and fruity smoke flavor. Has a pronounced sweetness when compared to apple wood.
Oak: Oak provides a well-balanced, medium to mild smoke flavor. It's a versatile choice that doesn't overpower the natural flavors of the food.
Maple: Maple wood pellets offer a sweet and subtle smoky flavor. It's not as strong as hickory or mesquite.
Alder: Alder wood pellets provide a light and slightly sweet smoke flavor. The most common usage...smoking fish.
Pecan: Pecan wood imparts a sweet and nutty smoke flavor, falling somewhere between hickory and fruitwoods.
Best Use For Each Flavor of Pellet
When choosing wood pellets, personal preference plays a significant role. Some grillers prefer a more robust smoky flavor, while others may opt for milder and sweeter profiles. Additionally, experimenting with blends of different wood pellets can create unique and customized flavor combinations for your barbecue.
Hickory: Ideal for briskets, ribs, and other cuts of red meat.Mesquite: Suitable for grilling beef, especially steaks. Use sparingly with other meats.Apple: Great for poultry, pork, and even seafood. Adds a subtle sweetness to the food.Cherry: Excellent for smoking poultry, pork, and also complements game meats.Oak: Suitable for a wide range of meats, including beef, pork, and poultry.Maple: Good for poultry, pork, and lighter-flavored meats. Adds a delicate sweetness to the food.Alder: Ideal for seafood, especially salmon, and as well as with poultry.Pecan: Great for smoking poultry, pork, and even beef. Offers a well-balanced profile that complements various meats.
Can You Use Any Wood Pellet?
When choosing wood BBQ pellets for your grill, you’ll want to make sure they’re the flavor you want, but more importantly, that they are in fact “grilling pellets.” There are pellets that are used in pellet stoves that people have in their homes, and other pellets that are manufactured for industrial purposes. Our selection of Memphis Grills usually work best with Bear Mountain BBQ Pellets, and we can recommend the best choice based on your grilling needs.
Shop BBQ Wood Pellet Grills Today!
If you’re shopping for a new grill, or you haven’t been having the success you want with your current pellets, contact us today and we’ll help you find a new backyard cooking solution and the fuel you need to keep the fire going all summer long!
Explore a world of possibilities with us at The Outdoor Appliance Store! Our collection transforms your backyard into a culinary haven. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for more tips on enhancing your outdoor kitchen.
You may also like...Fire Pit Glass Guide
