What Type of Wood Pellets You Should Use with Your Nexgrill Oakford Pellet Grill

If you’re the proud owner of an all-new Oakford Pellet Grill, you’re probably wondering what types of wood pellets you’ll need to maximize its flavor-imparting potential.

Hardwood… softwood… Oak… Alder… With so many different types and flavors available, it’s a great question!

So whether you’re new to pellet grilling or a veteran who just needs a refresher, read on to learn everything you need to know about choosing the right wood pellets for whatever’s cookin’ on your Oakford Pellet Grill.

Hardwood or Softwood Pellets?

First, let’s talk hardwood pellets versus softwood pellets.

Hardwood pellets, like Oak and Maple, generally feature a lower water content, which allows for a long, sustained burn. Perfect for low and slow pellet grilling!

Softwood pellets, such as Spruce and Cedar, on the other hand, tend to burn hotter and faster due to their higher lignin count. You know… because science!

While a higher BTU count and quicker burn aren’t necessarily deal breakers when it comes to pellet grilling, we have to give hardwood the upper hand here, and recommend using only 100% hardwood pellets with your Oakford Pellet Grill.

Best Hardwood Pellet Flavors for Pellet Grilling

So what flavor of hardwood, you ask? Well, that all depends on what you’re grilling up!

If you take a look at our handy Oakford Pellet Guide, you can see which hardwoods go best with your favorite foods.

Oak

Oak wood pellets, for instance, impart a well-balanced smoky flavor that’s quite versatile, but complements beef and seafood particularly well.

Maple

Maple wood pellets are milder with just a hint of sweetness that pairs beautifully with pork and poultry.

Hickory

Hickory wood pellets are revered for their robust, smoky flavor that elevates beef and pork like you wouldn’t believe!

Mesquite

Mesquite wood pellets are strong like Hickory, and tend to be favored in Texas for smoking world-class brisket.

Cherry

Cherry wood pellets are packed with a sweet, smoky flavor that’s known to complement the saltiness of pork.

Apple

Apple wood pellets offer a lighter, fruity smoke that enhances the flavor of milder meats like poultry and pork. Certainly, you’ve heard of applewood smoked bacon!

Alder

Alder wood imparts a ton of smoky flavor that’s extremely versatile and will pair well with just about anything you’re grilling.

Pecan

And finally, there’s Pecan wood pellets. Which are always nutty, sometimes spicy, and absolutely amazing with beef, pork, and even baked goods.

Discover Your Favorite Wood-Smoked Flavors on an Oakford Pellet Grill

Ultimately, the best wood pellets to use with your Oakford Pellet Grill are the ones that taste best to YOU, but this guide will at least get you pointed in the right direction.

For more grill tips, techniques, and Que & A videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel, then continue exploring on Nexgrill.com.

Ready to bring legendary wood-smoked BBQ flavor to your backyard? Shop Oakford here.