If you’ve got a whole sack of Traeger pellets just sitting in your pantry, it’s normal to ask “How long do Traeger pellets last?”
Of course, knowing how useful these little pieces of wood are, we surely would want to bring out the best from our investment and make them last as long as possible.
For those people who aren’t really a pro in the kitchen, a Traeger pellet is a type of material that is used for smoking and cooking food.
The pellets are made from compressed sawdust while the smoke they emit is used to infuse flavor into the meat you plan to cook.
Traeger pellets are found to be a great way to add flavor and flare to your food. They also provide an easy, more hands-off cooking experience.
These wooden pellets have been around for decades, and they continue to be one of the most popular options on the market today.
If you’re crazy about grilled chicken, steak, pork, or even seafood, then this is an ingredient that is a must-have in your kitchen.
With all of this in mind, it’s no wonder people take the efforts to make these little pieces of wood stay in their pantry for the long haul.
But how long do these tiny pellets last?
In this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about Traeger pellets and their longevity.
So, read on below!
How Long Do Traeger Pellets Last?
When it comes to grilling meat, especially steak, we couldn’t just simply achieve that delicate and mouth-watering flavor without the help of Traeger pellets.
This type of smoke wood is considered to be one of the very best for barbecuing and grilling.
We understand that it is vital to know how long they will last in order to make precise purchases when the next shopping trip arises.
To answer your query, a Traeger pellet bag that hasn't been opened can last up to two years. If the bag has been opened, however, it can only be used for six months. But even so, if you store your opened smoke wood properly, it will last up to a year.
Of course, if you don’t stock them properly, they won’t last nearly as long.
Failure to store your smoke wood in the correct environment can lead to a variety of problems, including mold formation, termite infestation, and mildew.
“But how do I properly store my Traeger pellet?”
We have listed the top tips in storing your valued smoking ingredient, so be sure to keep all of these things in mind to make the most out of these amazing wood pellets!
Store Your Smoke wood in a Dry Place
When you’ve got your Traeger pellets, one thing you must always make sure of is to store them in a dry place. The last thing you want is to store your pellets in a damp location.
If you do so, you might risk your ingredient to accumulate molds which can highly affect the flavor and even the smoke which you’re going to produce.
Store Your Pellets Away from Direct Sunlight
Not many people are aware of this, and it can be a huge mistake to do, but storing your pellets in a place where sunlight can hit them directly can cause the pellets to change in color.
That is because when sunlight hits your smoke wood, it will make oxidation happen which will then turn your once-brown Traeger pellets into a yellowish-brown color.
Affecting the outcome of your dish.
Be Sure to Seal Your Pellet
Surprising as it may seem, pests can be attracted to your smoke wood, so it’s a good idea to seal it in an airtight container and keep them hidden.
Insects such as termites might consume your wood, making you lose a lot of money for nothing!
When you fail to do this, not only will your Traeger pellet be affected but also the outcome of your dish.
A dry pellet can lead to your meat losing its flavor while a moist one could put out a lot of smoke, leading to an undesirable taste.
Keep an eye on moisture levels, so they don’t get too high or low- this will affect how long the wood lasts!
You can make use of a hygrometer which is great for measuring the moisture levels inside your storage to make sure that you are not leaving anything too dry or wet.
Now ain’t that a great find?
Before we head on to our next section, let’s first have…
The New Discoveries
We’re all avid fans of BBQ smoking since this kind of cooking method seems to be the best due to the flavor it adds to your favorite dish.
The Traeger pellet smoker is one of the best (if not, the very best) in this genre that you can find today and if you’ve ever tasted meat that was grilled in one, you’ll understand!
In this part, we have finally learned that a Traeger pellet can last for up to two years when unopened and a year when it’s been opened yet properly stored.
We also now know the best tips when it comes to storing our precious smoke wood…
And now that we’ve got that settled, we can begin the next topic which is…
How Long Do Pellets Last In a Traeger?
A Traeger pellet smoker is a must-have for any BBQ enthusiast out there.
You wouldn’t be able to come up with a sweet and savory chunk of meat without this cooking device since this is where all the magic happens.
If you compare all these things to a car, the pellet is the fuel and the smoker is the engine.
You wouldn’t be able to drive that car without the two, and you wouldn’t be able to cook your favorite dish without the pellets and the smoker.
With this in mind, it’s crucial that you pick out a high-quality smoker and pellet since this is what will be doing the work for you.
And of course, it can affect how long your smoke wood would last since lower quality smokers can burn through it faster.
The pellets last around 12 hours in a Traeger smoker, and it can go up to 18 hours if done properly. You can even leave them inside your grill overnight without any problems at all since they are completely safe with no chemicals whatsoever!
But before we dive into this topic more deeply, you need to know that to achieve this, you need to use at least 20 pounds of pellets depending on how long you plan to be grilling your meat.
A rule of thumb that you can follow is to add a pound of pellets per hour if you’re cooking slow and low and three pounds per hour when you’re going fast and hot.
However, if you’ve got a griller on hand,
The result might be a bit different…
Why is that so?
Well, let’s find out in the next section!
How Long Do Wood Pellets Burn in a Grill?
If you don’t have a Traeger but rather a griller, then don’t feel bummed out since you can still get quality meat by using this cooking device.
For those who aren’t aware, the main difference between a Traeger and a griller is that a griller doesn’t have the capability of smoking your meat, which is what a Traeger does.
But still, a griller can get the job done with its cooking area. Instead of smoking, the griller uses flames from the Traeger wood pellet to cook the meat.
So, how long do wood pellets burn in a grill?
It all depends on the temperature you're shooting for. If you aim for high temperatures to cook your meat quicker, then a pellet of 20 pounds can last up to four hours.
Alternatively, if you want a lower temperature to cook your meat slower without drying the meat out, then one pound of wood pellets can last up to six hours.
High cooking in a griller is best for meat that’s thicker, like ribs. You’ll be able to create the perfect bark of smokiness and caramelized sugars.
Not only that, but because the griller has a smaller cooking area than a Traeger or smoker, you won’t have to worry about overcooking your meat when it’s so close to those high temperatures.
On the other hand, slow cooking meat in a griller is ideal if your meat is thin, like a steak. You’ll be able to cook your meat at lower temperatures without drying it out or overcooking it.
When using your Traeger pellets on grillers, you must keep in mind that Traeger pellets are designed for Traegers, not grillers but nonetheless, Traeger pellets can still be used on grillers.
However, there might be a bit of a difference when it comes to the taste of the meat.
If you want to use a griller, it’s better to go for griller pellets since they are made from a block of a different wood than Traeger pellets.
They’re denser, which means that they’ll give you the perfect smoky bark of taste without any burnt flavors.
Not only that but they will also help you cook your meat more evenly and to save a lot of time.
Fresh Understandings
We can’t deny the fact that we’ve learned so much in the past sections! If you love barbecuing on a regular basis, then this is pretty much a golden find for you.
You now know that:
- The pellets in a Traeger smoker last 12 hours and can go up to 18 hours if done properly
- 20 pounds of wood pellets in a griller can last up to six hours if you don’t want a high temperature and four hours if you do.
- The difference between a griller and a Traeger smoker.
With this knowledge, we're sure you'll be able to make a decision about what product to purchase and use for your next barbecuing event!
Now before you head out to try all your newly acquired info, Let’s finally have our…
The Last Remarks
Certainly, this has been a reading journey that has improved our idea of what to do when using our precious smoke wood.
It’s been a long endeavor, but you finally know the answer to “How long do Traeger pellets last? Along with a whole lot of other things which have addressed all your concerns.
We hope that you enjoyed the content of this article and that it helped you reach a decision about what to use for your next barbecue.
Remember, with proper care and storage, your Traeger pellets will surely last for a long time!