FAQ’s

Q. What are smoking pellets?
A. Smoking pellets are densified hardwoods extruded to uniform size and consistency. They are designed to provide both heat and smoke for pellet smokers and grills. The fruit and nut hardwoods (e.g. oak, hickory, apple, etc.) used in smoking pellets imparts a smoke flavor people desire in meat.

Q. How big are smoking pellets?
A. Smoking pellets are ¼” dia. by ½” to 1½” long. They vary in color depending upon variety and are smooth to the touch.

Q. What type of wood is used to make our smoking pellets?
A. Pitmaster Select™ makes smoking pellets featuring 8 varieties: oak, hickory, apple, mulberry, cherry, mesquite, maple and pecan; however, we use other select hardwoods as well to create a balance of flavors in our blends.

Q. How are Pitmaster Select™ smoking pellets made?
A. Hardwood is ground in a 2-step process into a meal. This hardwood meal is segregated in overhead bins according to variety. Different varietys are weighed out and blended in a large mixer to form our secret recipes. The blended meal is fed into a pellet mill where the wood is pressed through dies with ¼” holes. Heat from the process releases lignins in the wood which act as a natural binder, holding the pellet together. Pellets are then cooled and screened to remove fines before packaged in 20 lb, heat sealed bags.

Q. What separates Pitmaster Select™ from our competitors?
A. We were approached by Pitmasters of competition smoking teams (hence the name) who were dissatisfied with many of the smoking pellets available on the market. As a result of working with these professionals, our blends contain 30% to 60% featured woods balanced with oak and other complementary hardwoods. Each wood imparts a different strength to the blend; therefore, each variety contains a unique blend to deliver exceptional flavor. Our blends do not follow a “cookie-cutter” recipe.

Q. Does Pitmaster Select™ contain any artificial flavors or oils?
A. NO! Unlike some competitors who use the same base wood and flavor their smoking pellets with oils, Pitmaster Select™ uses only 100% hardwoods and true featured flavor woods. Check the bag, does it say “Apple Flavor” or “Apple Wood”?

Q. On what type of grill can I use smoking pellets?
A. Smoking pellets may be used in any quality-built pellet grills (e.g. Green Mountain, MAK, Yoder, Louisiana, Royall, etc.) or on conventional gas, charcoal or electric grills. See instructions on the Pitmaster Select™ Home page.

Q. Why blends and not 100% flavor woods?
A. Just as a Pitmaster uses a balance of spices and herbs in a Rub, the same principal holds for smoking woods. Using only one variety of wood would over-power the flavor and not be very pleasing to the palate. Pitmasters generally start with a hardwood charcoal or chunk wood (such as oak or alder) and then add select flavor woods to achieve a desired taste. Our blends allow you to take advantage of years of experience of Award-Winning Pitmasters; however, that is not to say that you cannot create your own blend.

Q. Are our smoking pellets food grade wood pellets?
A. We are very committed to providing a safe, top-quality product, but it’s time to cut through all the Bull. After several discussions with the FDA/USDA, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “FOOD GRADE WOOD PELLETS!” This is a marketing ploy used by some to convince the consumer that their product is safer than those who do not use this misleading terminology.

With that said, if you are using this product in the land of fruits and nuts, the state of California requires the posting: California Proposition 65 Warning – Combustion of this product, like other wood and charcoal products, results in the emissions of carbon monoxide and other substances known by the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm.

Most people would agree that its probably O.K. to cook with the same natural wood our ancestors have used since they first harnessed fire; however, it is important to use hardwood pellets explicitly intended for smoking or barbequing. Heating pellets or pellets made of softwoods should not be used for cooking.

Q. Do I need to presoak smoking pellets before using them on a gas, charcoal or electric grill?
A. NO! Absolutely DO NOT presoak smoking pellets, this will only render them ineffective. This is why smoking pellets are far superior to chunks of hardwood people use to generate smoke on a conventional grill. Chunk wood is wetted so that it does not burn up immediately. What happens during the initial phase of grilling when your cool, raw meat is absorbing most of the smoke flavor – heat is drying out the chunk wood, driving off the water you just added. When the moisture level in the wood is just right to allow it to smolder but not to burn, you get a few sporadic minutes of smoke. Contrast that to smoking pellets. Throw a foil pouch of Pitmaster Select™ on the grill. In about 5 minutes (if your grill is up to temperature) smoke will start rolling out. Place your raw meat on the grill at this point. 1 pouch of Pitmaster Select™ will produce a nice even smoke for 30 to 40 minutes. This is because the pellets don’t burn, they smolder. That is why you only want 1 hole made with a toothpick in the pouch.

Q. Where can I buy Pitmaster Select™ smoking pellets?
A. Click Find a Dealer to locate a store near you. If you do not find a store in your area, please contact us.

Q. Can I get custom Blends?
A. Yes. Upon request, we can produce custom blends. Contact us for pricing and details.