Can You Use Wood Pellets In A Charcoal Grill? Yes, Here’s How!
The weekend has arrived, you’ve already planned your BBQ menu for the day, and you are about to light the grill.
But then you realize you’re out of wood chips, and you know your dish will be bland without that smoky flavor.
But the fire is not going to wait, and you don’t have time to run out and get some. So you might be wondering if you can use wood pellets instead of wood chips.
And if your question is can you use wood pellets in a charcoal grill then I’ve got you covered!
In this article, I’ll discuss whether you can use wood pellets in charcoal grills and how to do so.
Can You Use Wood Pellets In A Charcoal Grill?
Yes, you can use wood pellets in a charcoal grill. Although this may sound a little “off” at first, it’s actually a great way to add smoke flavor to your food. It’s also very easy to do, and you don’t need any special tools or equipment.
In fact, you can use wood pellets in a charcoal grill without changing your cooking method at all, and the results could be even better if you combine charcoal and wood pellets
Pros And Cons Of Using Wood Pellets For Grilling In Charcoal Grills?
Pros
Cons
How to Use Wood Pellets in a Charcoal Grill: Step-by-Step
There are 4 main ways to use wood pellets in a charcoal grill:
- Put the pellets directly on the charcoal
- Put the pellets in a piece of aluminum foil and fold it up.
- Use a pellet tube smoker
- Use a classic smoker Box
Let’s take a closer look at each method and how they work:
1. Putting the pellets directly on the charcoal
This method is the easiest method and it won’t take as long to create smoke since the pellets are much smaller than wood chunks.
For fast and hot grilling
Step 1: Burn the charcoals with a lighter and wait for 10–15 minutes until there is a thick layer of gray ash on the charcoals.
Step 2: Add wood pellets on top of the charcoals and let them burn to create a smoky flavor.
For low and slow smoking with the charcoal snake method
Step 1: Stack 4 and 5 briquettes across the outside ring of the grill to create a charcoal snake
step 2: Sprinkle 1 cup of wood pellets against the side to fill up the gap so that the smoke can be created evenly all the way
Step 3: Light 6 briquettes and put them at the end of the charcoal snake so it can burn away slowly.
step 4: Wait
2. Put the pellets in a piece of aluminum foil and fold it up.
Step 1: Make an aluminum foil bag and carefully put the wood pellets inside. Make sure they’re tightly sealed so the pellets don’t fall out.
Here’s a video to watch if you need some help with making the bag:
Step 2: Poke holes in the pouch to allow the wood pellets to smoke but not combust or catch fire (this is critical!).
Step 3: Place them on the side of the hot coal (2 minutes before placing the food) and wait 30 seconds for them to start smoking—it should be pretty obvious when this happens!
Step 4: After 30 seconds, tightly close the lid and cook your food.
3. Use a pellet smoker tube
A smoke tube is a device that helps you get the most out of your smoking session by providing an intense and consistent smoke output. You don’t have to worry about having to refuel or refill your device as often.
Step 1. Fill the bottom of your grill with hot charcoal and place the grates on top.
Step 2. Add wood pellets of your choice to the smoke tube and then carefully light one end of the tube using a match or lighter until it begins to glow red hot
Step 3. Place your smoke tube directly on the grates
Step 4. Wait for about 15 minutes to make sure the pellets stay lit
Step 5. Blow gently on the flame, and smoke from heating pellets will soon fill the cooking chamber.
4. Use a classic smoker box
To use a smoker box in a charcoal grill, just simply fill it with wood pellets and place the box on top of the grill grates and let it preheat before adding food.
The smoke will then fill the cooking chamber and flavor your food.
One advantage of this type of smoker box over tubes is that it’s easier to refill the pellet supply when needed.
Recommended Wood Pellets
When it comes to choosing a good wood pellet, it’s important to look into both the quality and price.
While you might want to go with the cheapest option available, this may not be the best choice for your grill or smoker.
In this section, we’ll take a look at some of my favorite brands of wood pellets for smoking meat, along with their pros and cons.
1. Pit Boss Hardwood Pellets
Our Top pick
Pit Boss Competition Blend hardwood pellets combine all of the benefits of hardwood with a distinct flavor profile.
You can use these wood pellets for cooking almost any food, like pizza, chicken and pork, beef, fish, and more.
They are made from 100% natural wood fiber from North America and don’t have any sprays or oils added to them to make them taste better.
2. Camp Chef Competition Blend BBQ Hardwood Pellets
Our Top pick
Camp Chef’s wood pellets are 100% virgin hardwoods with no added oils, chemicals, or binders added. They are 100% natural, just like the hardwoods you find in nature.
Because this wood blend contains less moisture than competing brands, it produces a very dry, hot, and fast-burning shell that ignites quickly and burns well.
3. BEAR MOUNTAIN 100% All-Natural Hardwood Pellets
Our Top pick
BEAR MOUNTAIN wood pellets are well-known among pit masters for their rich and smoky flavor.
Bear Mountain wood pellets are 100% natural, with no flavorings, fillers, or additives that can affect the taste of your food.
It’s available for you in various sizes and options for many flavors, including hickory, apple, oak, alder, pecan, maple, cherry, and mesquite, so you can choose the perfect flavor for your favorite recipes.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
In short, you can use wood pellets in a charcoal grill. You’ll get a similar flavor as you would by using real wood chips.
However, if you’re looking to do this all the time, it’s better to go with a dedicated grill that’s designed to use wood pellets.
On the other hand, if this is something that you do occasionally, It’s certainly worth doing on your charcoal grill rather than buying a new bag of wood chips/chunks when your food is ready to cook.
