You Learn Something Everyday

[Dougr]

They say that you learn something new everyday. Well this happened to me several weeks ago. In January, I was at the International Sportsman's Show in Sacramento. One of the vendors there was Knotty Wood Pellets, https://knottywoodbbq.com. They make pellets out of Almond and Plum wood. When farmers take out and replace their orchards, Knotty Wood buys the farmers trees and makes their own pellets. They use both the wood and the bark in their pellets. I bought two bags of the Almond and one of the Plum. I used the bag of Almond and while it did make more ash, it also produced a very nice smoky flavor. The Plum is a bit sweeter worked very well with my ribs.

Here is where I learned something. I had no problems with the Almond pellets and with my first cook with the Plum. On my 2nd cook, with the Plum, my Smokefire wouldn't ignite the pellets. I had to shut it down. I checked my burn pot and found chunks of mineral/cement like residue in the bottom of the pot. It was covering the glow plug which is why the pellets wouldn't burn. I cleaned out the pot and it worked like a charm and my chicken was very tasty. The next time I used it, I hadn't cleaned out the pot, I had the same issue. I cleaned it out and it worked very well.

I got on Knotty Wood's web site. They talk about when you use the bark, in fruit woods, it can produce clinker. That is where the minerals in the bark are fused together during the cooking process forming the residue I found. I called and talked to Knotty Woods and they say that this is an issue that they only see with the Plum pellets. They recommend cleaning out the pot before each cook.
The question now is, will I continue to use their pellets? They do produce a very nice smokey flavor, even though they do produce more ash than I am used to. Think I will continue to use them and just make sure everything is cleaned out before I start.

 

[bbqking]

Thank for the heads up. Will have to keep that in mind.

 

[Goneincognito]

It only takes a couple of minutes to make sure the burn pot is clean before each cook so might as well keep using them.

It's good practice regardless to ensure that everything is in good order and there is no damage to parts.

Better to catch a rusted out burn pot grate before it starts causing problems.

 

[Bruno]

Sticking with Weber, as long as they keep going on sale every winter.

 

[OGauge4Me]

The cinders will form easier if the pellets have more bark in them. The plus, with these type pellets, is more smoke. The minus is, you need to clean more often.

 

[JpsBBQ]

Weber pellets have bark in them. I use them pretty much exclusively in my Smokefire.
I’d also assume it’s less expensive not having to remove all the bark prior to extrusion. There is some literature out there that says that tree bark can contain chemicals not found in the wood. Says that there is a chance, however small, there are impurities in the bark of trees. Says that it can be stored there for years.

 

[OGauge4Me]

I have not seen any literature. Pellets with bark will impart a higher level of smoke flavor to your smoked meats. You should try a bag of Lumberjack pellets for testing purposes.

 

[JpsBBQ]

I have not seen any literature. Pellets with bark will impart a higher level of smoke flavor to your smoked meats. You should try a bag of Lumberjack pellets for testing purposes.

COOKING WITH WOOD BARK- TO BARK OR NOT?

Simply said- cooking with wood bark should NOT be done! We way into the discussions and cautions about cooking with bark and its impurities.

www.smokinlicious.com

 

[JpsBBQ]

I have not seen any literature. Pellets with bark will impart a higher level of smoke flavor to your smoked meats. You should try a bag of Lumberjack pellets for testing purposes.

I think they use bark too. I think they might make the Weber ones? No argument they impart more smoke, they do.

Did they come in 2nd or 3rd behind Traeger in the Jeremy Yoder test?I can’t remember.

 

[OGauge4Me]

I think they use bark too. I think they might make the Weber ones? No argument they impart more smoke, they do.

Did they come in 2nd or 3rd behind Traeger in the Jeremy Yoder test?I can’t remember.

I cannot remember either. Green Mountain competition blend is another decent choice for flavor. Smoke flavor is an individual preference, so try different pellets to see what you like. I had a problem with my EX6 after about 8 months of ownership. Contacted Weber and we worked together to solve the problem. Since the problem I now sift pellets before placing them in the hopper, to help keep pellet dust down, and clean firepot after every use and do a deep cleaning after every 3 to 5 uses, depending on what I cook. I also use a drip pan when smoking a cut of meat with higher fat content.

 

[JpsBBQ]

I cannot remember either. Green Mountain competition blend is another decent choice for flavor. Smoke flavor is an individual preference, so try different pellets to see what you like. I had a problem with my EX6 after about 8 months of ownership. Contacted Weber and we worked together to solve the problem. Since the problem I now sift pellets before placing them in the hopper, to help keep pellet dust down, and clean firepot after every use and do a deep cleaning after every 3 to 5 uses, depending on what I cook. I also use a drip pan when smoking a cut of meat with higher fat content.

Agreed on the personal preference comment. I went back and reviewed that taste test and it was Traeger followed fairly closely by lumberjack which is Weber.

 

[JpsBBQ]

I cannot remember either. Green Mountain competition blend is another decent choice for flavor. Smoke flavor is an individual preference, so try different pellets to see what you like. I had a problem with my EX6 after about 8 months of ownership. Contacted Weber and we worked together to solve the problem. Since the problem I now sift pellets before placing them in the hopper, to help keep pellet dust down, and clean firepot after every use and do a deep cleaning after every 3 to 5 uses, depending on what I cook. I also use a drip pan when smoking a cut of meat with higher fat content.

Sounds like a sound practice. I definitely do not clean my pellet grills nearly as often as recommended. I’ve had very few if any issues throughout the years. That said, I have a ton of cookers so if I had an issue I could simply change course and address the issue post mortum. I realize others need to be more diligent to ensure they have an option that works. I do use drip pans in all my cookers when I find it appropriate. Anything that relieves cleanup or potential issues is probably a good practice. There are limits to which each individual is willing to venture with their personal routine.

 

[OGauge4Me]

Agreed on the personal preference comment. I went back and reviewed that taste test and it was Traeger followed fairly closely by lumberjack which is Weber.

I did not know that both were manufactured at the same plant. I signed up for a group buy for Lumberjack pellets but I think we need more participation for the buy to happen.

 

[OGauge4Me]

Sounds like a sound practice. I definitely do not clean my pellet grills nearly as often as recommended. I’ve had very few if any issues throughout the years. That said, I have a ton of cookers so if I had an issue I could simply change course and address the issue post mortum. I realize others need to be more diligent to ensure they have an option that works. I do use drip pans in all my cookers when I find it appropriate. Anything that relieves cleanup or potential issues is probably a good practice. There are limits to which each individual is willing to venture with their personal routine.

I had the augur cause a problem and it took about a month, working with Weber, to resolve the problem. Replacing the Auger is not that hard but it is better if two persons work together for the removal and replacement. I am 72 and have the time to clean my pits. I run three Weber cookers, EX6, WSM and a Kettle in a custom cart. I also have a griddle. My outdoor kitchen may not be featured in Better Homes and Gardens but it works for me.

 

[JpsBBQ]

I did not know that both were manufactured at the same plant. I signed up for a group buy for Lumberjack pellets but I think we need more participation for the buy to happen.

I don’t know as a first hand fact, but that’s what I’ve heard through internet sources including the guys on that taste test video. They said the lumberjack competition blend is Weber pit master blend. I’m just regurgitating what I’ve heard. Seems about right though.