Question.... For pellet pooper owners

[TMB]

Now I have had a Rec-Tec for a short time and a homebuilt pooper for over close to 2 years. 

It seems to me that the pellets I'm using are leaving more dust than ever.  I used Traeger pellets (which I stopped) and they left a fare amount of dust but switch to BBQ's Delight and had much better results.

But the last few cooks in either grill with BBQ's seem to be leaving more hash/dust than before.   Is it me or has anyone using these pellets seen the same thing?   

After reading HOS little adventure with a grill fire    I thought I'd look and clean mine and this is where I found the issue.

Is there a better pellet to use?  Is Cookinpellets better??
 

[teesquare]

I have found that BBQer's Delight, and Cookin' Pellets were the best as far as low ash. I have heard it is because they don't use any bark in their pellets, whereas others may.

[hikerman]

Is it possible that in time pellets start breaking down? 
Also how the bags are handled has to have an effect! 

[sliding_billy]

I use Cookinpellets and do not get a lot of ash.  I have ran up to about 12 hours without a problem.  I also vacuum the pot after each cook.

[smokeasaurus]

I did extensive pellet testing for Eric a couple of years ago using a Rec Tec and a Yoder. The pellets that had the less ash was Cooking Pellets and Green Mountain Grills Gold blend.

IMHO, you can't get a better overall pellet blend than Perfect Mix from Cooking Pellets.

[HighOnSmoke]

I have found that BBQer's Delight, and Cookin' Pellets were the best as far as low ash. I have heard it is because they don't use any bark in their pellets, whereas others may.

I agree Tim. I am seeing a bit more ash from the Lumberjack that I ever saw using either one of those.

[hikerman]

I know everyone is talking about ash but any wood dust in bagged pellets if dumped into hopper will be converted into ash dust. I use GMG, Cookin' Pellets,  and Lumberjack,  all with good results. But occasionally each brand has given me a bag with a bit more dust than normal. I find that I must vacuum out the grill more often when this occurs. No biggie!

[TMB]

When I cleaned the Rec-Tec there seemed to be a lot of ash, but what really got me was the amount of ash in the fire pot of the Traeger burner.  It was cleaned just before I used it for a 3 hrs slow cook on venison. 

The amount of ash in the pot was incredible, you could barely see the hot rod in the pot it was so thick.  Makes me wonder if BBQ's Delight changed something in their pellets.

Does anyone know who makes Rec-Tec pellets?  I have 80 lbs of those still in bags never opened     

[IR2dum]

I have used Green Mountain Gold Pellets until I switched to Green Mountain Texas Blend a few months ago. Not a lot of ash with either pellet. I love the Texas blend because it seems to burn hotter and uses less pellets on a long low and slow cook. I think it is a blend of oak and mesquite. This is the first pellet that I really can smell and taste the difference in smoke flavor. I buy it at Texas Star Grills in Houston for $12.95 for 28 pounds. Every once in a while it is on sale for $10. I burned a bag of CookinPellets Hickory a while back (thanks to Old Dave) and they didn't leave much ash either and I was very pleased with them.

Does anyone know who makes Rec-Tec pellets?     

Tommy, I can almost answer that question because I bought a couple of bags from them in Augusta and as I was standing there waiting for them to bring it out, I asked that very question and got a good answer, but wouldn't you know that my old age and lack of memory won't let me recall the answer. Now Dee was standing right beside me and his mind is a steel trap so he should be able to answer your question.

[ACW3]

Tommy,
Talk to Tee.  I happen to know he has somewhere in the neighborhood of 1400 pounds of pellets in his basement.  You might be able to talk him into selling him a few bags.  I could bring them with me to Paducah.

Art

[okie52]

I've been using BBQ delight for about 1 1/2 years now and haven't run into any problems or noticed any changes in ash production.

On a side note I did find BBQ delight rebranded as B&B cooking pellets for Academy and have been getting them for $10-12 per 20lb bag.

[Smokin Don]

I have been using Traeger Oak pellets in my Traeger for over 4 years with no problems, I used to clean after every cook but now will go 3 or 4 cooks and no problem. Traeger pellets are the only ones I can buy locally. I went through a period last year where I seemed to be getting a lot of fly ash in the cooking area. Sandman was using the same pellets as I was in his Traeger and he had no problem. I cleaned mine out and emptied the auger, didn't help. The problem just went away so I don't know what caused it.

I have used quite a few bags of Cooking Pellets perfect mix and 100%hickory. They work good in my Traeger. I prefer the 100%hickory. I would be ordering some now but old age and my back makes it hard to handle the 40 lb. bags. Don

[muebe]

Tommy the lower temp the cook the more ash you will have.

I have found cookin pellets to be great on the ash level.