Smokeless fire pits have become increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike traditional wood-burning fire pits, smokeless fire pits utilize pellets or gas to produce flame without all the smoke. This makes them ideal for use in residential areas where excessive smoke may be prohibited.
Many smokeless fire pit models are designed specifically for use with pellets. However, with so many pellet types and brands on the market, it can get confusing knowing which ones will work best with your particular fire pit. In this article, we’ll look at the key factors to consider when selecting pellets for a smokeless fire pit.
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The Benefits of Using Pellets
There are several advantages to using pellets in a smokeless fire pit as opposed to wood logs or other fuels:
Low Smoke
Pellets burn very cleanly and efficiently, producing far less smoke than wood. This makes them ideal for smoke-restricted areas. The minimal smoke also reduces the mess and clean-up around the fire pit.
Convenience
Wood pellets are manufactured pressed sawdust so they are uniform in size and shape. This makes them easier to load into the fire pit and allows for consistent, even burning. No more struggling with stacking irregular wood logs!
Temperature Control
Pellet-fueled fire pits allow you to precisely control the temperature. Add more pellets to increase the temperature, or let it die down by reducing pellet consumption. This level of temperature control is difficult to achieve with wood burning.
Efficiency
Due to their condensed wood matter, pellets burn hotter and more efficiently than whole wood logs. You’ll get more heat output from less fuel.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Pellets
Not all pellet types work equally well in smokeless fire pits. Here are some things to consider when choosing wood pellets:
Type of Wood
Hardwood pellets, such as oak, maple, apple, and hickory, are best for fire pits. Softwood pellets like pine tend to burn faster and dirtier. Always check the ingredients – premium blends will indicate what wood species are used.
Ash Content
Look for low-ash varieties. Ash will accumulate in the fire pot so you’ll have to clean it out more frequently with high-ash pellets. Premium pellets produce less than 1% ash.
Size of Pellets
For most fire pits, you’ll want standard pellet sizes between 1/4 inch to 5/16 inch diameter. Larger pellets won’t feed properly. View pellet dimensions on bag or buy from a trusted brand that produces uniform pellets.
Moisture Content
Avoid pellets with over 8% moisture content. Wetter pellets don’t burn as cleanly and are more prone to jams. Look for certification from the Pellet Fuels Institute which guarantees under 8% moisture.
Amount of Fines
Fines are pellet dust and small fragments that accumulate at the bottom of the bag during handling. Too many fines can clog the feed system. Look for less than 1% fines.
Additives
Some pellets contain chemical additives as binding agents or for smell. Avoid pellets with additives as they may leave residue in the fire pot.
Heat Output
Higher BTUs mean more heat. Hardwood blends range from 8,200 to 8,600 BTUs per pound. Avoid utility pellets under 8,000 BTUs.
Recommended Wood Pellet Brands
It’s best to choose pellet brands that are made in the USA under strict quality control. Here are some top-rated options:
Branson’s Hardwood Pellets
– 100% hardwood blend (oak, hickory, maple)
– Under 1% ash
– 8,200 BTU heat output
– Certified by PFI
Bear Mountain Forest Products
– 100% BBQ blend (maple, hickory, cherry)
– Food-grade pellets
– Less than 1% ash
– 8,500 BTU heat output
CookinPellets Perfect Mix
– Blend of hickory, maple, cherry wood
– 100% natural hardwood with no additives
– Highest heat output (8,600 BTU)
– Low ash, moisture, and fines
Traeger Signature Blend
– Blend of maple, hickory, oak wood
– Uniform 1/4 inch pellets
– Certified by PFI standards
– Great all-purpose pellet
How Much Pellets Does a Smokeless Fire Pit Use?
Pellet consumption will depend on the size of your fire pit’s burn pot and the heat setting used, just like a pellet grill. Here are some averages:
Low Heat Setting
– 1 to 2 lbs per hour
Medium Heat Setting
– 2 to 3 lbs per hour
High Heat Setting
– 3 to 4 lbs per hour
On a low setting, expect a standard 20 lb bag of pellets to last around 10 to 20 hours. High heat will burn through a bag in 5 to 10 hours.
Can You Use Pellets for Smoking in a Smokeless Fire Pit?
While smokeless fire pits are designed to burn with less smoke, you can certainly use them for low-temperature smoking. The key is choosing a model with good temperature control. Here’s how to smoke in a pellet fire pit:
Get a Smokeless Pit with Precise Heat Settings
Look for a pit with a thermostat control that allows you to dial in exact temperatures between 100°F to 500°F like a pellet grill. This level of precision is needed for proper smoking.
Use Smoking Wood Pellets
Flavor is crucial for smoking so use 100% smoking wood pellets like mesquite, hickory, apple, pecan, or alder. No blends. The wood flavor will impart onto the food.
Smoke at Low Temperatures
Set the pit’s thermostat in the 180°F to 250°F range for smoking. This low, indirect heat is key. If the temp gets too high, food will cook too quickly rather than absorbing smoke flavor. Add more pellets to increase temp as needed.
Use Water Pans
Placing water pans above the fire pot helps regulate temps and add moisture for juicier smoked foods. Replenish water level throughout the smoking time.
Ideal Foods for Smoking
– Beef brisket, pork shoulder – tough meats that get tender
– Ribs, chicken – baste to prevent drying out
– Turkey, salmon – big cuts work well
– Cheese, nuts – infuses smoke flavor into the fats
With the right model, pellets, technique and some patience, you can absolutely use a smokeless fire pit to make delicious smoked barbecue masterpieces.
Safety Tips When Using Pellets
While very convenient, pellets do come with some safety considerations you should keep in mind:
Store pellets properly
Always keep pellets in a sealed metal bucket or container and out of humidity. Wet pellets can turn back into sawdust which burns very rapidly.
Never overload the fire pot
Adding too many pellets at once can cause a big flare up. Follow your pit’s loading guidelines carefully.
Let the fire pit cool fully before moving
Make sure no pellets are smoldering before transporting a portable fire pit. The remnants can reignite even in a closed fire pot.
Supervise children and pets around the fire pit
The fire pot gets extremely hot when in use. Prevent accidental contact with hot surfaces.
Dispose ashes safely
Always let ashes completely cool for 48 hours before disposal to prevent ember flare ups. Dispose ashes in a metal container away from combustibles.
Conclusion
Pellets are a very popular and convenient fuel option for smokeless fire pits. Look for premium hardwood pellets under 1% ash content with high BTUs and no chemical additives. Use smoking pellets in the 180°F to 250°F range to infuse barbecue flavors. With some basic precautions, pellet-fueled fire pits provide a mess-free, smoke-free ambiance perfect for enjoying your outdoor space.
| Pellet Type | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Branson’s Hardwood Pellets | 100% oak, hickory, maple blend; Under 1% ash; PFI certified |
| Bear Mountain BBQ Blend | Maple, hickory, cherry blend; Food-grade; Less than 1% ash |
| CookinPellets Perfect Mix | Hickory, maple, cherry blend; No additives; 8,600 BTU heat output |
| Traeger Signature Blend | Maple, hickory, oak blend; Uniform 1/4″ pellets; PFI certified |
| Heat Setting | Average Pellet Consumption |
|---|---|
| Low | 1 to 2 lbs per hour |
| Medium | 2 to 3 lbs per hour |
| High | 3 to 4 lbs per hour |