Lumber Jack Pellets: Competition Blend or Pure Hickory?
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Lumber Jack is a pellet maker that likes to point out it runs its own manufacturing plant, turning real trees into BBQ pellets instead of re-bagging material from someone else. For a first-time smoker owner, that matters in a simple way: the bag of Lumber Jack wood pellets for smoker use you buy is meant to be pure hardwood, and the listings say there are no oils, sprays, binders or artificial ingredients mixed in. If you are shopping for a gift, that “just wood” promise is also an easy thing to explain to the person opening the box.
The three bags in this guide all weigh about 20 pounds and all burn in a pellet grill, but they differ in one key way: the Competition Blend mixes maple, hickory and cherry for a balanced all-rounder, the 100% Hickory bag gives you one bold classic flavor, and the Char Hickory version is made thinner so it burns hotter and throws more smoke.
Lumber Jack Smoker Pellets Compared
| Model | Wood Type | Bag Weight | Pellet Size Note | Listed Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumber Jack Competition Blend Maple-Hickory-Cherry BBQ | 1/3 maple, 1/3 hickory, 1/3 cherry | 20 lbs (9 kg in specs) | Not listed | Pellet grills, tube smokers, Smokin Wedgie |
| Lumber Jack 100% Hickory BBQ Grilling | 100% hickory | 20 lbs | Not listed | Not listed |
| Lumber Jack Char Hickory BBQ Grilling | Hickory | 20 lbs | Smaller diameter for a hotter burn | Pellet grills, tube smokers, Smokin Wedgie |
Lumber Jack Competition Blend Maple-Hickory-Cherry BBQ for Everyday Smoking
Lumber Jack
Lumber Jack Competition Blend Maple-Hickory-Cherry BBQ Grilling Pellets – 20 lbs.
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Lumber Jack Competition Blend Maple-Hickory-Cherry BBQ
Best for: New smokers wanting one all-purpose blend
Pros
- Even thirds of maple, hickory, cherry
- Adds color and mild sweetness
- No oils, binders or additives
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Milder hickory punch than pure hickory
The Lumber Jack Competition Blend Maple-Hickory-Cherry BBQ pellets are exactly what the name says: an equal split of one third maple, one third hickory and one third cherry. The listing explains the idea behind the mix clearly. Hickory brings the rich, savory smoke most people picture when they think of barbecue, while maple and cherry add a touch of sweetness and help give the meat a deeper color on the outside. That reddish-brown surface is often called “bark” by barbecue fans, and fruitwoods like cherry are known for helping it look appetizing.
According to the listing, this blend is good for everything but stands out on ribs, pork, seafood, poultry and game birds. It is described as 100% hardwood with no oils, sprays, binders or artificial ingredients, and it is made in the USA. Lumber Jack says it works in pellet grills, tube smokers and the Smokin Wedgie, so it is not limited to one type of cooker. One small detail: the title says 20 lbs while the specifications list 9 kg, which works out to roughly the same amount, so you can treat it as a standard 20-pound bag.
This is the bag we would point most beginners toward. If you are new to smoking and do not yet know whether you like a strong or gentle smoke flavor, a balanced blend is forgiving. It suits the person who wants to cook chicken on Saturday and salmon on Sunday without buying a second bag. If you already know you love a bold, classic hickory taste, the next model is the more direct choice.
Lumber Jack 100% Hickory BBQ Grilling for Bold Classic Flavor
Lumber Jack
Lumber Jack 100% Hickory BBQ Grilling Pellets – 20 lbs.
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Lumber Jack 100% Hickory BBQ Grilling
Best for: Fans of classic bold hickory smoke
Pros
- Single-species hickory flavor
- Independent lab ash testing described
- Maker processes its own trees
Cons
- Listing gives few feature details
- Strong flavor can overpower fish
The Lumber Jack 100% Hickory BBQ Grilling pellets keep things simple: one wood, hickory, in a 20-pound bag. Hickory is one of the most traditional smoking woods in American barbecue. In general terms, it gives a stronger, more savory smoke than fruitwoods, which is why many people like it on pork shoulder, bacon and beef. The listing itself does not list recommended foods for this bag, so those uses come from how hickory is commonly used rather than from Lumber Jack’s own page.
Most of what this listing says is about how the pellets are made. Lumber Jack describes itself as an actual manufacturing plant that processes real trees, and not a co-bagger that relies on another manufacturer using residue that cannot be traced to its origins. The company also says its BBQ wood pellets are tested by an independent laboratory, including ash analysis and chemical composition tests along with standard ash-by-weight and heat value checks, to confirm the pellets are pure wood fiber. The listing does not specify which cookers it recommends for this bag, though pellets like these are generally made for pellet grills.
This bag suits the cook who already knows they want a pronounced smoke flavor, or the gift-giver buying for someone who talks about “real hickory taste.” It is less ideal for delicate foods like fish or vegetables, where a strong hickory smoke can take over. For those, the Competition Blend is the gentler pick. If you want even more smoke than a standard hickory bag, look at the Char Hickory model below.
Lumber Jack Char Hickory BBQ Grilling for Hotter, Smokier Cooks
BtyPC
Lumber Jack Char Hickory BBQ Grilling Pellets – 20 lbs.
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Lumber Jack Char Hickory BBQ Grilling
Best for: Cooks chasing heavier smoke output
Pros
- Smaller diameter for hotter burn
- More surface area for more smoke
- No fillers or artificial ingredients
Cons
- Listing brand fields conflict
- Burns faster than standard pellets
The Lumber Jack Char Hickory BBQ Grilling pellets are a hickory product with one notable twist: the listing says they are made in a smaller diameter to create a hotter burn and more smoke, thanks to more surface area. Think of it like kindling versus a thick log. Thinner pieces catch and burn faster, and they release smoke more readily. The listing describes a typical wood BBQ pellet as about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch in diameter, burning at about 8,500 BTUs per pound, though it does not give the exact smaller diameter used for Char Hickory.
Like the other bags, this one is listed with no oils, sprays, fillers, binders or artificial ingredients, and as sustainably sourced and manufactured by Lumber Jack in the USA. It is said to work in pellet grills, tube smokers and the Smokin Wedgie. We should be honest about one oddity: while the title and description clearly say Lumber Jack, the brand fields in the listing specifications show other names. The description and features point to Lumber Jack as the maker, but it is worth checking the product photos and seller details before you order.
Char Hickory suits the smoker owner who feels their current pellets are not producing enough visible smoke, or who uses a tube smoker in a gas grill and wants more flavor from a small amount of wood. Because thinner pellets burn faster, you may go through a bag more quickly. Beginners who just want a reliable, all-purpose bag are better served by the Competition Blend.
How to Choose the Right Lumber Jack Smoker Pellets
Start with flavor strength. If you are unsure which Lumber Jack smoker pellets to buy, ask how strong the person likes their smoke. A balanced, slightly sweet flavor points to the Competition Blend. A bold, classic barbecue taste points to the 100% Hickory bag. Someone who complains their grill “does not taste smoky enough” is the natural match for Char Hickory.
Next, think about what gets cooked most often. Pork, ribs and beef handle hickory well. Poultry, seafood and game birds are foods the Competition Blend listing calls out specifically. A household that cooks a bit of everything will get the most use out of one blended bag, and if you want to compare other brands’ blends, our guide to flavored smoker pellets for pellet grills covers more options.
Check the cooker. The Competition Blend and Char Hickory listings both name pellet grills, tube smokers and the Smokin Wedgie. A tube smoker is a small perforated metal tube you fill with pellets and set inside a regular grill, so even people without a pellet grill can use these bags. If the person you are shopping for owns a full pellet cooker, our pellet smoker buying guide explains how pellets feed into the fire pot and why pellet quality affects temperature.
Finally, consider how fast you use pellets. Standard hickory and the blend burn at a normal rate, while the thinner Char Hickory pellets are designed to burn hotter. That is great for smoke output, but it can mean refilling the hopper more often on long cooks. For low-and-slow sessions that run many hours, a standard-diameter bag is the more economical habit.
FAQ
Are Lumber Jack pellets pure wood?
The listings describe the Competition Blend as 100% hardwood with no oils, sprays, binders or artificial ingredients, and Char Hickory as free of oils, sprays, fillers, binders and artificial ingredients. The 100% Hickory listing focuses on independent lab testing to confirm the pellets are pure wood fiber.
What is the difference between Lumber Jack 100% Hickory and Char Hickory?
Both are hickory, but Char Hickory is made in a smaller diameter so it burns hotter and gives off more smoke through extra surface area. The 100% Hickory listing does not mention a special pellet size.
Which Lumber Jack pellets are best for beginners?
For most beginners, the Competition Blend is the easiest starting point. Its mix of maple, hickory and cherry is balanced, and the listing says it suits ribs, pork, seafood, poultry and game birds, so one bag covers a lot of meals.
Can I use Lumber Jack pellets without a pellet grill?
Yes, in some cases. The Competition Blend and Char Hickory listings say they work in tube smokers and the Smokin Wedgie, which are accessories that add smoke to a regular grill. The 100% Hickory listing does not specify compatible cookers. If you are building an outdoor setup with an electric cooker instead, our electric smoker guide explains how those machines use wood.
Where are Lumber Jack pellets made?
The Competition Blend listing says made in the USA, and the Char Hickory listing says sustainably sourced and manufactured by Lumber Jack in the USA. The 100% Hickory listing does not state the country of origin directly, though it describes Lumber Jack as a manufacturing plant that processes its own trees.
How big is each bag?
All three are listed as 20-pound bags. The Competition Blend specifications show 9 kg, which is roughly the same weight.
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