Lumberjack Mesquite Blend warning

Gore · 09-23-2021, 04:18 PM

I really liked the Lumberjack hickory pellets, so I picked up half a ton of assorted pellets from Lumberjack. I was really excited about the mesquite blend. I grew up in Arizona and that was common firewood. I know many people do not like the strong smoke, but it is something I grew up with. When I travel to the southwest, I even pack a few logs of it in my suitcase to use for smoking. I was especially excited to finally get down to a bag of the Lumberjack mesquite blend pellets to use in my MAK. Unfortunately, it was a major disappointment. Unlike the hickory, it does not have a strong smoke smell at all, and doesn't smell like the mesquite fires I'm used to. Worst of all is the ash production. I usually do half a dozen cooks between cleaning the firepot, but after one cook with a few steaks it was full of ash. The second time smoking pork butts the fire went out because there was so much ash. The pellets are basically unusable. Has anyone else had this experience with the Lumberjack mesquite blend before? Did I get a bad bag? Are there any others I should be ware of?

AClarke44 · 09-23-2021, 05:07 PM

I’ve used it before. I kind of like it but the 100% Hickory is my favorite. The Mesquite blend is 60% red oak though so that’s probably why you’re not getting the scent you’re use to. As far as ash, I don’t have to clean ash out of the rectec very often. I usually go through 20-40 lbs before I clean the chamber and then it’s not overly necessary from what I can tell. So I didn’t notice any more ash that with the other pellets I’ve used.

LYU370 · 09-23-2021, 05:11 PM

Haven't tried the Mesquite, but I did try the OHC a few years back, lots of ash. I think it may be the oak.

16Adams · 09-23-2021, 05:52 PM

Been studying pellet grill groups. Adding smoke is a frequent topic. Many have said one of those smoke tubes loaded with favorite wood chips works. Just a thought. Use your favorite pellet that behaves like you want and try the tube with chips instead of pellets. No clue if this’ll work but pure Mesquite chips are cheap,as are most chips

TravelingJ · 09-23-2021, 06:20 PM

I've noticed a ton of ash in general with Lumberjack, regardless of which type I've used. I haven't really found anything I like better...

Gore · 09-23-2021, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AClarke44

I’ve used it before. I kind of like it but the 100% Hickory is my favorite. The Mesquite blend is 60% red oak though so that’s probably why you’re not getting the scent you’re use to. As far as ash, I don’t have to clean ash out of the rectec very often. I usually go through 20-40 lbs before I clean the chamber and then it’s not overly necessary from what I can tell. So I didn’t notice any more ash that with the other pellets I’ve used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LYU370

Haven't tried the Mesquite, but I did try the OHC a few years back, lots of ash. I think it may be the oak.

This is strange because I just went through 4 bags of their oak and I had very little ash. I'd clean out the chamber after 5+ cooks out of habit really as it wasn't necessary. Maybe it's just a bad batch.

16Adams · 09-23-2021, 06:54 PM

I'm only 15-20 cooks into my second rodeo with pellet cooking. I'm of the opinion that good meat, good prep and quality seasonings are more important than the type of top brand pellet..

Perhaps just my skill level , or lack thereof--but an observation

I did a 7 hour cook recently with B&B pellets. Less than 3/4 inch of ash in the firepot. Probably closer to 1/2" The fan blows it out so naturally there is some dust to be cleaned in the chamber but it's a few seconds with shop vac to gather.

Raider18 · 09-24-2021, 03:50 PM

I've had zero issue with Lumberjack pellets including the Mesquite (one of my favorites actually). I'm curious if there is a difference in the product climate or user preference.

Burn · 09-24-2021, 05:56 PM

I use B&b mesquite from time to time. It doesn’t produce bad flavors but it also doesn’t smell like my actual mesq splits I uses either.

09-23-2021, 04:18 PM	#1
Gore Phizzy Join Date: 10-05-08 Location: Hiding out from blood suck ghost snake gods, Nazis and scrap iron chefs trying to harvest body parts Name/Nickname : Gore (surprise!)	Lumberjack Mesquite Blend warning I really liked the Lumberjack hickory pellets, so I picked up half a ton of assorted pellets from Lumberjack. I was really excited about the mesquite blend. I grew up in Arizona and that was common firewood. I know many people do not like the strong smoke, but it is something I grew up with. When I travel to the southwest, I even pack a few logs of it in my suitcase to use for smoking. I was especially excited to finally get down to a bag of the Lumberjack mesquite blend pellets to use in my MAK. Unfortunately, it was a major disappointment. Unlike the hickory, it does not have a strong smoke smell at all, and doesn't smell like the mesquite fires I'm used to. Worst of all is the ash production. I usually do half a dozen cooks between cleaning the firepot, but after one cook with a few steaks it was full of ash. The second time smoking pork butts the fire went out because there was so much ash. The pellets are basically unusable. Has anyone else had this experience with the Lumberjack mesquite blend before? Did I get a bad bag? Are there any others I should be ware of? __________________ Assistant to a Mad BBQ Scientist (and a squirrel): Primo Oval XL, Small Offset, Gasser, Optigrill, UBS "I love everything about the pig, even the way she walks." -- Spanish proverb (\__/) (='.'=) This is the rabbit baby. Invests him in yours signature, (")_(") and the help rabbit baby takes over control of the world! Hmmmm, I wonder, WWGALD? Avatar courtesy of Grillman and NorthwestBBQ Promoted by Bigabyte to "Idiot #1" , and dubbed "Phizzy" by Sir Ron.

09-23-2021, 05:07 PM	#2
AClarke44 Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-14-14 Location: Yukon, OK Name/Nickname : Andrew	I’ve used it before. I kind of like it but the 100% Hickory is my favorite. The Mesquite blend is 60% red oak though so that’s probably why you’re not getting the scent you’re use to. As far as ash, I don’t have to clean ash out of the rectec very often. I usually go through 20-40 lbs before I clean the chamber and then it’s not overly necessary from what I can tell. So I didn’t notice any more ash that with the other pellets I’ve used. __________________ My cooker fleet: Recteq RT-700 Weber Spirit E-210 with GrillGrates 22.5 Crimson Weber Premium Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turker Fryer LoCo 80qt crawfish kit Re-homed cookers: Black Weber OTG (Happy Hapgood) Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC) Char-griller Akorn 28” Blackstone Pro Series Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Check out the PBC Appreciation Thread! [url]http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210239[/url]

09-23-2021, 05:11 PM	#3
LYU370 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-28-14 Location: Streamwood, IL	Haven't tried the Mesquite, but I did try the OHC a few years back, lots of ash. I think it may be the oak. __________________ Andy FEC100 - Big Joe - Weber Spirit II Gasser Are you ready for a THROWDOWN?!?!? Join us, It's a BLAST!! Join us for the Inaugural 2024 South East Bash - May 2024 Tennessee - Sign Up Link

09-23-2021, 05:52 PM	#4
16Adams somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-16-13 Location: USA	Been studying pellet grill groups. Adding smoke is a frequent topic. Many have said one of those smoke tubes loaded with favorite wood chips works. Just a thought. Use your favorite pellet that behaves like you want and try the tube with chips instead of pellets. No clue if this’ll work but pure Mesquite chips are cheap,as are most chips __________________ Tiernan SOB34, Primo Oval XL, Oklahoma Joe's Bronco, Oklahoma Joe's Highland, Pit Boss Austin XL, Pit Boss Table Top

09-23-2021, 06:54 PM	#7
16Adams somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-16-13 Location: USA	I'm only 15-20 cooks into my second rodeo with pellet cooking. I'm of the opinion that good meat, good prep and quality seasonings are more important than the type of top brand pellet.. Perhaps just my skill level , or lack thereof--but an observation I did a 7 hour cook recently with B&B pellets. Less than 3/4 inch of ash in the firepot. Probably closer to 1/2" The fan blows it out so naturally there is some dust to be cleaned in the chamber but it's a few seconds with shop vac to gather. __________________ Tiernan SOB34, Primo Oval XL, Oklahoma Joe's Bronco, Oklahoma Joe's Highland, Pit Boss Austin XL, Pit Boss Table Top Last edited by 16Adams; 09-23-2021 at 07:01 PM..

09-23-2021, 06:20 PM	#5
TravelingJ is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-12 Location: Independence, MO Name/Nickname : Justin	I've noticed a ton of ash in general with Lumberjack, regardless of which type I've used. I haven't really found anything I like better...

09-24-2021, 03:50 PM	#8
Raider18 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-22-13 Location: Texas Name/Nickname : Mike	I've had zero issue with Lumberjack pellets including the Mesquite (one of my favorites actually). I'm curious if there is a difference in the product climate or user preference.

09-24-2021, 05:56 PM	#9
Burn Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-11-18 Location: Austin Name/Nickname : Jimmy	I use B&b mesquite from time to time. It doesn’t produce bad flavors but it also doesn’t smell like my actual mesq splits I uses either.