Most BBQ pellets are made only of wood, but “hickory pellets” does not always mean 100% hickory. Some are made entirely of the named wood; others are a base hardwood such as oak or alder with a share of the flavour wood, and a few add flavour oils. Wood naturally holds pellets together, so binders are not needed, though some makers use a small amount of food-grade binder. The bag or the maker’s spec sheet should tell you which.
Three ways flavoured pellets are made
| Type | What’s inside | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 100% single species | Only the named wood | The flavour you expect, usually at a higher price |
| Base wood + flavour wood | e.g. oak or alder with a percentage of cherry | Milder, consistent; ask for the percentage |
| Flavoured with oils | A base wood plus flavour oils | Aroma comes from the oil, not the wood |
How pellets hold together
Under heat and pressure, lignin, a natural component of wood, softens and binds the sawdust into a pellet as it cools. Some makers add a small amount of a food-grade binder or lubricant to help the process. If it’s there, it should be disclosed.
How to read the bag
- Look for the words “100%” next to the species, or a percentage for blends.
- Look for “no fillers,” “no binders,” “no oils” claims, and check whether the maker publishes a spec sheet to back them.
- Food use: buy pellets sold for cooking. Never cook with heating pellets.
What we list
For every BBQ pellet we sell, the product page lists the wood species and their proportions, any binders or oils, and a link to the maker’s documentation where it exists. If the maker doesn’t disclose a blend, we say so instead of guessing.
Frequently asked questions
Are Traeger pellets 100% wood?
We can only speak for what we sell. For any brand, check the bag and the maker’s published specifications for species percentages, binders and oils.
What are Pit Boss pellets made of?
Same answer: check the maker’s published information. Our BBQ and smoker pellets list the composition of each product we carry.
Do flavour oils matter?
They change where the aroma comes from. Some cooks don’t mind; others prefer pellets made entirely of the named wood. The point is to know what you’re buying.