This video is by Scotty’s Backyard BBQ
The Ultimate Wood Pellet Test: Comparing Lumberjack, Pit Boss, Traeger, and Grillers Gold
When it comes to smoking meat, the type of wood pellet you use can make a real difference—or can it? That was the question I set out to answer with a full-day experiment using four different pellet brands: Lumberjack, Pit Boss, Traeger, and a lesser-known brand called Grillers Gold. I wanted to see how each one performed in terms of burn time, ash output, smoke ring, and most importantly, flavor.
This wasn’t just a casual cookout. I committed a full eight hours to methodically testing each pellet type using the same setup, temperature, meat, and cook time. Let’s break down how the test worked and what I found out.
The Setup: Consistency Is Key
To ensure this was a fair comparison, I used boneless pork country ribs and cooked each one for up to two hours or until two cups of pellets were fully consumed—whichever came first. No salt, no pepper, no sauce—just pure meat and smoke. The goal was to isolate the smoke flavor from each pellet brand without interference from seasonings or marinades.
I used my Pit Boss Lexington smoker and thoroughly cleaned it out between each trial. After each test, I inspected the ash pot to see how efficiently the pellets burned and how much cleanup would be required for each brand.
Brand 1: Lumberjack Hickory
Lumberjack pellets are a fan favorite, and it was easy to see why. With just two cups, the cook lasted about two hours and left behind a moderate amount of ash. The smoke ring on the pork was nicely defined, and the aroma was rich with hickory notes. When I tasted the rib the next day (after reheating in the oven), it had a solid smoky flavor that lingered nicely on the palate. Based on this round, Lumberjack set a high bar.
Brand 2: Pit Boss
Next up was Pit Boss, a brand known for being affordable and widely available. Like Lumberjack, I used two cups and got a full two-hour cook. The smoke ring was a bit lighter, and the overall color of the meat was slightly paler. Still, it had a good smoky smell and a respectable, if milder, flavor. Pit Boss didn’t quite match the depth of flavor from Lumberjack, but it’s still a decent option—especially for the price.
Brand 3: Traeger
Then came Traeger, arguably the most well-known brand in the pellet game. These pellets were noticeably smaller, and the company claims a cleaner burn. After the cook, I did notice less ash in the fire pot, which speaks to that clean-burning claim. The pork had excellent color and a darker smoke ring than the Pit Boss or Lumberjack samples. However, when it came to flavor, Traeger disappointed. The smoky aroma was there, but the taste just didn’t hold up. It lacked the bold, lingering smoke flavor that makes smoked meat so appealing.
Brand 4: Grillers Gold (Hickory)
Finally, I tested Grillers Gold—a store-brand pellet I hadn’t heard of before. Expectations were low, but this one surprised me. The smoke ring was impressive, the meat had a deep color, and the flavor was bolder than expected. In fact, the smoke profile came close to Lumberjack’s richness. I couldn’t find much information online about this brand, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for it in the future. It proved you don’t always need a name-brand product to get top-tier results.
The Results: Ranking the Pellets
After eight hours of smoking and side-by-side taste testing, here’s how the pellets ranked for me in terms of overall smoke flavor and experience:
-
Lumberjack – Deepest flavor, rich aroma, and a solid smoke ring. The clear winner.
-
Grillers Gold – A surprise second-place finish with great flavor and color. Impressive for a no-name brand.
-
Pit Boss – Solid all-around performer but milder in flavor compared to the top two.
-
Traeger – Best appearance and least ash, but it came in last due to lacking smoke flavor.
Final Thoughts
This experiment took a full day and a whole lot of country ribs, but it was worth it. If you’re focused on maximizing smoke flavor in your pellet grill, Lumberjack is still the one to beat. However, don’t sleep on smaller or store brands like Grillers Gold—they might surprise you with quality that rivals the big names.
Traeger may win on aesthetics and a cleaner burn, but if you want your food to really taste smoked, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Pit Boss remains a budget-friendly staple, but for those who want a bolder bite, spending a few extra bucks on a brand like Lumberjack is well worth it.
Thanks for joining me on this smoky journey. Catch you next time on Scotty’s Backyard Barbecue—where the smoke is always rising and the experiments never end.
