Charcoal Pellet Smoker

Your Charcoal Pellet Smoker Guide

Have purchased a pellet grill or are looking to buy one but want to have the option of charcoal flavor? This guide has you covered and will answer most of your charcoal pellet grill questions.

Introduction to Charcoal Pellet Smoker

If you’re a fan of smoking meat, you have probably used charcoal in your grill. Pellet grills use wood pellets and give a smoke flavor to your food. Now, charcoal gives an even more smokey flavor to your food but how do you use charcoal in a pellet grill? Maybe you have heard but there are now charcoal pellets. But, can you really use charcoal pellets in a pellet grill? And, what are charcoal pellets? In this article, we’ll explore the world of charcoal pellet smoking and answer all your burning questions.

Can You Use Charcoal In A Pellet Grill?

The short answer is yes, you can use charcoal in a pellet grill. A pellet grill is a type of smoker that uses wood pellets as fuel to create smoke and flavor the meat. There are now charcoal pellets for sale on the market that can be used with most pellet grills.

Can you add charcoal to your grill hopper or barrel? The answer is you probably shouldn’t. While you may get it to work, you run a big risk of ruining your pellet grill. Charcoal is most likely to get caught in the auger if you put it into your hopper. Also, you should probably avoid putting charcoal in the barrel. Charcoal burns hotter than wood and can damage your grill if the temperature gets too hot.

What Are Charcoal Pellets?

Charcoal pellets are made from compressed charcoal dust and wood fibers. They’re similar to wood pellets in that they’re made from compressed sawdust. They are also small and uniform in size and shape so they should have no issue going through the hopper and auger.

Charcoal pellets are known for their intense smoky flavor. They can be used in conjunction with wood pellets for a unique flavor profile. Check out our guide on the Best Charcoal Pellets you can buy.

Using Charcoal Pellets in a Pellet Grill

Using charcoal pellets in a pellet grill is relatively simple. Fill the hopper with your desired amount of charcoal pellets turn the smoker on and let it do the work for you.

Charcoal burns hotter and faster than wood so you may have to adjust your cook times and settings at first. So, in other words, it can take a little while to perfect using charcoal pellets.

If you are doing a low and slow cook, then wooden pellets are probably a better option. If you want to sear or use quicker hotter temperatures then charcoal pellets are the way to go. There are also pellets that have a mix of both wood and charcoal to get the best of both worlds.

Why Use Charcoal in a Pellet Grill?

Many pitmasters prefer using charcoal in a pellet grill. This is because charcoal pellets add a unique smoky flavor to the meat that wood pellets just cannot match.

Another benefit of using charcoal pellets is the higher temperature cooking. Charcoal is also known for burning hotter than wood. This can be beneficial for certain types of meat like steak.

Additionally, charcoal is a more traditional fuel source for smoking meat and can add a nostalgic element to your cooking.

Can You Mix Charcoal Pellets and Wood Pellets in the Hopper?

Yes, you can mix charcoal pellets and wood pellets in a pellet grill. In fact, many pitmasters like to mix the two for a unique flavor profile. However, it’s important to note that charcoal burns hotter than wood. So, you’ll want to be careful not to add too much charcoal to the mix or your meat could end up overcooked.

Our advice is if you are a beginner we would advise against mixing wood and charcoal pellets. We advise this since it’s difficult to control the burn rate and can cause problems during long cooks. Also mixing the pellets changes the flavor profile and without experience, you can have a result you might not like. So at the very least if you decide to mix wood and charcoal pellets we suggest trying it on an inexpensive piece of meat for testing.

Charcoal Pellets vs. Hardwood Pellets

Charcoal pellets and hardwood pellets are similar in that they’re both made from compressed sawdust. But they have some key differences.

Charcoal pellets are made from charcoal dust and wood fibers. While hardwood pellets are made from compressed sawdust of various hardwoods.

Different wood species have different chemical compounds. That’s why wood pellets are made from a wide range of wood species. Each wood species provides a different flavor profile. The carbonization process to produce charcoal burns off much of the chemical compounds. Hence, charcoal pellets won’t produce the different types of smoke flavor you get with plain wood.

Charcoal pellets are known for their intense smoky flavor. While hardwood pellets are known for their milder, woodsy flavor. Very different flavor profiles in using each but comes down to personal preference.

Tips for Cooking with Charcoal Pellets

Cooking with charcoal pellets is more or less the same as cooking with wood pellets but you need to be mindful of a few things. When cooking with charcoal pellets, it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature. Charcoal burns hotter than wood. So, you’ll want to be careful not to add too much charcoal to the mix or your meat could end up overcooked. Additionally, you’ll want to keep an eye on the smoke, as charcoal can produce more smoke than wood.

Here are some additional tips as well:

• Since charcoal has a faster burn rate it may not be your best option for low and slow cooks.
• Charcoal pellets reach higher temperatures than wood pellets so it makes searing easier using charcoal pellets.
• Charcoal pellets that are 100% charcoal are waterproof so in most cases it’s safe to leave in your hopper and not worry about water damage.
• Try different brands of pellets to find the right choice for your needs.
• Pellet grills are versatile and can be used to grill, smoke, sear, roast, bake, and more, so you might as well try as many as you can.

Final Thoughts on Cooking with Charcoal Pellet Smoker

Cooking with charcoal pellets in a pellet grill can add a unique and more smoky flavor to your meat. However, it’s important to be aware of the temperature and smoke levels when cooking with charcoal. Charcoal burns hotter and quicker than traditional wood pellets. So adjustments may need to be made on temperatures used and cook times. Mixing charcoal pellets with wood pellets can also create a unique flavor profile. But you still will have to pay attention if you have never mixed them before. By following these tips, you’ll be able to create delicious, smoky meat by using charcoal pellets in your grill.

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