8 Best Pellets for Traeger Smokers (November 2026)
The best best pellets for Traeger smokers include the Camp Chef Competition Blend BBQ Pellets for all-around Traeger cooks, the Traeger Hickory Hardwood Pellets for Pellet Grills for bold beef and pork, and the Bear Mountain Hickory Wood Pellets for Smoker for a large pellet supply.
On this page (6 sections)
- The best pellets for Traeger smokers by cooking style
- Which Traeger pellets match each type of meat?
- How should you store pellets for a Traeger smoker?
- How do you choose between 18 lb, 20 lb, 30 lb and 40 lb bags?
- How do these pellets compare with other pellet smoker fuels?
- Verdict: which are the best pellets for Traeger smokers?
The best pellets for Traeger smokers are Camp Chef Competition Blend for broad meat coverage and a maple, hickory and cherry flavor. Choose Traeger Hickory for bold beef and pork, Bear Mountain Hickory for a 40 lb supply, or Traeger Apple for lighter poultry smoke.
Pellet flavor changes the character of the food, but dry fuel matters just as much. Wet or poorly stored pellets can affect feeding and burning, so match the wood to the meat and plan where the open bag will live.
Use our guide to smoking wood if you want a wider look at wood types, blends and flavor strength. You can also compare these picks with our Best Wood Pellets 2026 roundup.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for all-around Traeger cooksCamp Chef Competition Blend BBQ Pellets
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for bold beef and porkTraeger Hickory Hardwood Pellets for Pellet Grills
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for a large pellet supplyBear Mountain Hickory Wood Pellets for Smoker
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itTraeger Grills BAC637 Stay Dry Pellet Storage
Best for keeping pellets dry - 5
Check itTraeger Signature Blend Wood Pellets for Pellet
Best for mixed menus - 6
Check itBear Mountain BBQ 2 Pack Hardwood Smoker
Best for two-bag flavor planning - 7
Check itRoyal Oak 100% Charcoal & Hickory Pellets
Best for charcoal-style smoke - 8
Check itTraeger Grills Apple 100% All-Natural Wood Pellets
Best for lighter poultry smoke
The best pellets for Traeger smokers by cooking style
Camp Chef Competition Blend is the strongest all-around pick, while the single-wood and specialty blends give you more control over the smoke profile. The right choice depends on the meat you cook most often, the flavor you want and how quickly you use a bag.
We compared the listed wood types, bag sizes, food pairings, moisture claims and cooking compatibility. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Camp Chef Competition Blend BBQ Pellets: Best for all-around Traeger cooks
- Maple, hickory and cherry blend
- 20 lb bag
- 100% virgin hardwoods
- No oils, chemicals or binders
The maple, hickory and cherry blend covers poultry, pork, beef, seafood, vegetables and baked foods. Kiln-dried hardwoods are made for a dry, hot burn.
Pros
- Broad food pairing
- 20 lb bag
- No oils, chemicals or binders
Cons
- Blend is less focused than a single wood flavor
Camp Chef Competition Blend is the most flexible choice in this group. Its maple, hickory and cherry blend can work with poultry, pork, beef, seafood, vegetables and baked foods, so one bag can cover a mixed menu.
The 20 lb bag gives you more fuel than the 18 lb Traeger bags while staying smaller than the 30 lb and 40 lb options. That middle size can be useful when you want enough pellets for several cooks without storing a large reserve.
Camp Chef describes these as 100% pure virgin hardwoods with no oils, chemicals or binders. The pellets are kiln-dried for low moisture, which the brand connects with a dry, hot burn and less ash to clean.
This is also the safest flavor direction for a household that cooks many types of food. Maple and cherry soften the hickory, so the blend is less focused than a single hickory bag but easier to use across a full weekend menu.
Choose it as your first bag if you want one flavor that can cover ribs, chicken, salmon, brisket and vegetables. The pellets are described as safe for all pellet grills, smokers and barbecues, including Traeger equipment.
Traeger Hickory Hardwood Pellets for Pellet Grills: Best for bold beef and pork
- Hickory flavor
- 18 lb bag
- All-natural hardwood
- Low ash and clean burn
Hickory gives beef and pork a full-bodied smoke profile while still working with poultry and vegetables. The compact hardwood structure is designed for a balanced burn-to-smoke ratio.
Pros
- Clear bold flavor
- Made in American mills
- No binders
Cons
- More assertive than fruitwood for delicate foods
Traeger Hickory is the best match here for cooks who want a full-bodied, bold smoke flavor. It pairs with beef, chicken, pork and vegetables, with enough flavor strength for classic BBQ meals.
The 18 lb bag is smaller than the Camp Chef, Bear Mountain and Royal Oak options. That can be helpful if you rotate between several wood flavors and do not want a large amount of one type sitting in storage.
Traeger describes the pellets as all-natural hardwood made in American mills, with no binders, low ash and a clean burn. The brand also says the compact cell structure supports a balanced, dependable burn-to-smoke ratio.
Hickory is a practical starting point for brisket, burgers and pork shoulder because the flavor is clear and assertive. For delicate fish, light poultry or baked foods, you may prefer a blend or apple pellet instead.
Choose Traeger Hickory when your Traeger does most of its work on beef and pork. It also remains flexible enough for chicken and vegetables when you want the same fuel for the whole cook.
Bear Mountain Hickory Wood Pellets for Smoker: Best for a large pellet supply
- 40 lb bag
- 100% all-natural hardwood
- No fillers or oils
- Low-moisture hickory smoke
This 40 lb bag suits frequent cooks who want a larger supply of hickory pellets. The flavor works with red meat, poultry, fish, pork, lamb and vegetables.
Pros
- Largest pellet bag here
- Broad food pairing
- No additives or fillers
Cons
- Needs more storage space than 18 lb bags
Bear Mountain Hickory is the best choice when you want a 40 lb supply of single-wood pellets. The larger bag suits frequent cooks who use hickory often and would rather restock less frequently.
The flavor is balanced and smoky, with food pairings that include red meat, poultry, fish, pork, lamb and vegetables. That range makes it more flexible than a brisket-only fuel, even though hickory remains the main flavor.
Bear Mountain describes the pellets as 100% all-natural hardwood with no flavorings, fillers or additives. Low moisture is intended to support consistent smoke, and the pellets are described for outdoor pellet, gas, charcoal and electric grills and smokers.
The main trade-off is storage. A 40 lb bag needs more protected space than an 18 lb bag, and the larger supply makes dry storage more important after opening.
Choose this bag if you cook several times a month and already know that hickory fits your food. If you only cook occasionally, a smaller bag may be easier to keep fresh.
Traeger Grills BAC637 Stay Dry Pellet Storage: Best for keeping pellets dry
- 22 lb capacity
- Airtight locking lid
- Stackable design
- 6 pre-labeled and 6 blank stickers
The 22 lb bin holds one full bag of Traeger pellets and helps organize different flavors. Its airtight locking lid and stackable shape suit a covered grilling area.
Pros
- Moisture-focused storage
- Fits a full 20 lb bag
- Flavor labels included
Cons
- Storage accessory rather than cooking fuel
The Traeger Stay Dry Pellet Bin is the best accessory for keeping an open bag organized and protected from moisture. It holds 22 lb, enough for one full 20 lb bag of pellets, and its stackable shape helps separate different flavors.
The airtight locking lid is the key feature for pellet storage. For dedicated fuel storage, compare wood pellet storage containers.
Keeping fuel sealed gives you a better chance of preserving the dry condition needed for steady feeding and burning.
The bin is made from plastic and includes 6 pre-labeled flavor stickers plus 6 blank stickers. You can mark hickory, apple, cherry or a blend without guessing which fuel is inside a plain container.
This bin is not cooking fuel, so it belongs in the roundup as a practical companion for Traeger owners who switch between flavors. Its 22 lb capacity also works with the 18 lb Traeger bags and leaves some room for handling.
Choose it when your cooking area needs a cleaner way to store pellets. Keep the container in a dry place, close the locking lid after each refill and remember that it is not for food storage.
Traeger Signature Blend Wood Pellets for Pellet: Best for mixed menus
- Hickory, maple and cherry blend
- 18 lb bag
- All-natural hardwood
- No binders and low ash
This blend gives one bag a wide range of uses, from classic BBQ meats to seafood and baked goods. It suits cooks who want a Traeger-branded blend instead of a single wood.
Pros
- Versatile food pairing
- Low-ash claim
- Works for smoking, roasting and baking
Cons
- Smaller bag than the 20 lb blend
Traeger Signature Blend is the best Traeger-branded choice for a mixed menu. Hickory, maple and cherry combine for a flavor that works with beef, poultry, pork, lamb, seafood, baked goods and vegetables.
The blend gives you more range than a single apple or hickory bag. It is a practical choice when one cook involves ribs, another involves chicken and a later session includes vegetables or baked food.
The 18 lb bag matches Traeger's other single-flavor options in this group. Traeger describes the pellets as all-natural hardwood with no binders, low ash and a clean burn, with a compact structure intended to support dependable smoke delivery.
The blend is similar in flavor direction to the Camp Chef Competition Blend, but the bag is smaller and the brand is Traeger. If you want the larger 20 lb bag, Camp Chef is the more direct fit.
If you want 40 lb of hickory, Bear Mountain is the better supply choice.
Choose Signature Blend when you want a general-purpose Traeger fuel for meats and side dishes. It is less precise than choosing one wood, but it reduces the need to keep several flavors on hand.
Bear Mountain BBQ 2 Pack Hardwood Smoker: Best for two-bag flavor planning
- Two 20 lb bags
- Gourmet Blend
- 100% all-natural hardwoods
- Works with pellet, gas, charcoal and electric grills
The two-bag format gives frequent cooks 40 lb of gourmet blend fuel to divide between sessions. Its sweet and smoky profile suits red meat, poultry and vegetables.
Pros
- Two-bag format
- 40 lb total
- Broad grill compatibility
Cons
- Blend details vary by the Bold, Sweet and Savory profiles
Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend is the best option for cooks who want two 20 lb bags. The pack gives you 40 lb total and makes sense when you cook often or want a second bag ready before the first one is empty.
The gourmet blend has a sweet and smoky profile for red meats, poultry and vegetables. Bear Mountain describes the hardwoods as 100% all-natural, with no flavorings, fillers or additives.
The supplied flavor descriptions include Bold with oak, mesquite and hickory; Sweet with oak, maple and cherry; and Savory with oak, maple and hickory. Those profiles give you more direction than a blend name alone, but you should label each bag clearly after opening.
The pellets are described for outdoor pellet grills, smokers, gas grills, charcoal grills and electric grills. That broad compatibility is useful if your cooking setup changes between a Traeger and another outdoor cooker.
Choose this pack when the two-bag format fits your storage and cooking pace. If you want one clearly defined flavor, Traeger Hickory or Traeger Apple is easier to identify.
Royal Oak 100% Charcoal & Hickory Pellets: Best for charcoal-style smoke
- Charcoal and hickory blend
- 30 lb bag
- Pre-mixed formula
- Works in Traeger and other pellet grills
The charcoal and hickory mix is aimed at a bold BBQ profile rather than a light fruitwood note. The 30 lb bag gives frequent cooks more fuel between restocks.
Pros
- Distinct charcoal and hickory profile
- 30 lb bag
- Pre-mixed
Cons
- Less suited to cooks seeking subtle fruitwood flavor
Royal Oak Charcoal and Hickory is the best pick for charcoal-style BBQ flavor in a pellet format. The pre-mixed blend combines 100% charcoal pellets with hickory, and the hickory blend also includes oak hardwoods.
The 30 lb bag sits between the 20 lb and 40 lb supply choices. It suits frequent cooks who want more fuel on hand and prefer a stronger BBQ direction for brisket, steaks and other hearty foods.
Royal Oak describes the blend as safe for pellet grills and smokers, including Traeger, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, Z Grills, Weber pellet grills, Green Mountain Grills, RecTeq and Louisiana Grills. That makes it a broad option if you use more than one pellet cooker.
The key trade-off is flavor intensity. Charcoal and hickory are a better fit for cooks seeking bold, smoky food than for someone who wants a subtle apple note on chicken or baked goods.
Choose Royal Oak when you want one pre-mixed bag with charcoal and hickory character. For a gentler profile, move toward Camp Chef Competition Blend, Traeger Signature Blend or Traeger Apple.
Traeger Grills Apple 100% All-Natural Wood Pellets: Best for lighter poultry smoke
- Apple flavor
- 18 lb bag
- All-natural hardwood
- No binders and low ash
Apple pellets bring a subtly sweet, fruity flavor to chicken, pork, vegetables and baked goods. They fit cooks who want a gentler smoke profile than hickory.
Pros
- Light fruitwood flavor
- Good for poultry and pork
- Made in American mills
Cons
- Less bold for cooks who want strong smoke
Traeger Apple is the best choice for a lighter, subtly sweet smoke. Apple pairs especially well with chicken, pork, vegetables and baked goods, so it fits cooks who find hickory too strong for delicate foods.
The 18 lb bag is easy to compare with Traeger's Hickory and Signature Blend options. All three use the same general bag size, so flavor choice matters more than fuel quantity when you are choosing among them.
Traeger describes these as all-natural hardwood pellets made in American mills, with no binders, low ash and a clean burn. The brand also connects its pellet structure and moisture content with a balanced, dependable burn-to-smoke ratio.
Apple can also work with seafood and lamb, but the main strength here is its gentle fruitwood character. It is a useful choice for poultry, pork loin, vegetables and baked dishes where a bold hickory note could dominate.
Choose Traeger Apple for lighter smoke and a sweet fruitwood direction. If your main target is brisket or a deep BBQ profile, choose a hickory or charcoal and hickory blend instead.
Which Traeger pellets match each type of meat?
Traeger pellets for beef and brisket should usually have a stronger smoke profile, while poultry, seafood and baked foods often suit blends or fruitwood. Camp Chef Competition Blend is the broadest match, but single woods give you more control.
What are the best pellets for brisket in a Traeger smoker?
Hickory is the clearest match for brisket in this group. Traeger Hickory and Bear Mountain Hickory both focus on bold, smoky flavor, while Royal Oak adds charcoal to hickory for a darker BBQ direction.
Camp Chef Competition Blend works when you want maple and cherry to round out the hickory. If your smoker is dedicated to brisket cooks, see our guide to the Best Pellet Smoker For Brisket.
Which pellets work best for chicken and turkey?
Apple and balanced blends are strong choices for chicken and turkey. Traeger Apple brings a subtly sweet fruitwood note, while Camp Chef Competition Blend and Traeger Signature Blend add maple, cherry and hickory for a wider flavor range.
Keep the smoke level moderate with poultry so the wood does not cover the meat's own flavor. For more turkey-specific guidance, read our article on the best wood pellets for smoking a turkey.
Which pellets are good for pork and ribs?
Pork works well with hickory, apple and blends that include maple or cherry. Choose Traeger Hickory for a bold BBQ profile, Traeger Apple for a lighter sweet note, or either Competition Blend for a middle ground.
Ribs can handle stronger smoke than many lean poultry cooks, but personal taste still matters. If your family prefers less smoke, begin with a blend or apple and adjust the next cook.
Which pellets should you use for seafood and vegetables?
Seafood and vegetables usually suit lighter or balanced pellets. Traeger Apple, Camp Chef Competition Blend and Traeger Signature Blend all include seafood or vegetable pairings in their intended uses.
Avoid choosing Royal Oak Charcoal and Hickory only because the bag is larger. Its bold profile is better for a cook who specifically wants charcoal and hickory character.
How should you store pellets for a Traeger smoker?
Store pellets in a sealed, dry container and keep the bag away from rain, damp floors and uncovered outdoor shelves. Moisture can change how the pellets feed and burn, so storage is part of choosing the right fuel.
The Traeger Stay Dry bin holds 22 lb and has an airtight locking lid. Its stackable design helps if you keep separate containers for hickory, apple and blended pellets.
Use labels when you have more than one open flavor. The Traeger bin includes 6 pre-labeled and 6 blank stickers, which can reduce mix-ups when several bags look similar.
Do not use the storage bin for food. It is a pellet container, and the product information specifically identifies it as not for food storage.
How do you choose between 18 lb, 20 lb, 30 lb and 40 lb bags?
Choose bag size by how often you cook and how much dry storage you have. An 18 lb bag suits occasional cooks or flavor rotation, while 30 lb and 40 lb bags make more sense for frequent cooking with one favorite profile.
The 20 lb Camp Chef bag is a middle option with a broad blend. Bear Mountain's two-pack supplies two 20 lb bags, Royal Oak offers 30 lb, and Bear Mountain Hickory comes in a 40 lb bag.
Keep the open bag in a sealed container if possible. A larger bag is only useful when you can protect the remaining pellets from moisture between cooks.
How do these pellets compare with other pellet smoker fuels?
These pellets are selected for Traeger smokers, but many are described for other outdoor cookers too. Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend works with pellet, gas, charcoal and electric grills, while Royal Oak names Traeger, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, Z Grills, Weber pellet grills, Green Mountain Grills, RecTeq and Louisiana Grills.
If you use a Pit Boss as well as a Traeger, compare this list with Best Pellets for Pit Boss Smokers. For a wider pellet smoker comparison, see Best Wood Pellets For Pellet Smoker.
Do not assume every fuel product is interchangeable. Use pellets made for cooking and check the equipment guidance before loading a new blend into your hopper.
Verdict: which are the best pellets for Traeger smokers?
Choose Camp Chef Competition Blend if you want one 20 lb bag for beef, pork, poultry, seafood, vegetables and baked foods. Its maple, hickory and cherry mix is the easiest starting point for a mixed Traeger menu.
Choose Traeger Hickory or Bear Mountain Hickory for bold beef and pork smoke. Choose Traeger Apple for poultry, pork and baked foods with a lighter fruity note, or Royal Oak when you specifically want charcoal and hickory flavor.
For frequent cooks, Bear Mountain's 40 lb hickory bag or the Bear Mountain 2 Pack gives you more fuel. For dry, organized storage, add the Traeger Stay Dry bin and label each flavor before the next cook.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for all-around Traeger cooks
Camp Chef Competition Blend BBQ Pellets
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for bold beef and pork
Traeger Hickory Hardwood Pellets for Pellet Grills
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for a large pellet supply
Bear Mountain Hickory Wood Pellets for Smoker
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What are the best pellets for a Traeger smoker?
Camp Chef Competition Blend is the best all-around choice because its maple, hickory and cherry blend covers beef, pork, poultry, seafood, vegetables and baked foods. Choose Traeger Hickory for a bolder profile, or Traeger Apple when you want a lighter fruity note.
Can you use any wood pellets in a Traeger smoker?
Use cooking pellets made for pellet grills and smokers, and keep them dry before loading the hopper. The products here are described for pellet grills or smokers, while some also work with gas, charcoal and electric grills.
Avoid heating or fuel pellets not made for cooking.
Which pellets are best for brisket in a Traeger?
Hickory pellets are a strong match for brisket because they give beef a bold smoke flavor. Traeger Hickory, Bear Mountain Hickory and Royal Oak Charcoal and Hickory all suit a deeper BBQ profile, while Camp Chef Competition Blend gives beef a blend of maple, hickory and cherry.
Are Traeger pellets better than other brands?
Traeger pellets make sense when you want a Traeger-branded flavor and an 18 lb bag, but brand alone does not decide the best fit. Camp Chef offers a 20 lb blend, Bear Mountain offers a 40 lb hickory bag, and Royal Oak offers charcoal and hickory in a 30 lb bag.
How should you store pellets for a Traeger smoker?
Keep pellets in a dry, sealed container away from moisture. The Traeger Stay Dry bin holds 22 lb, has an airtight locking lid, stacks with other bins and includes flavor stickers.
Do not use it for food storage.
