Wood Pellets
The Best Pellets for a Z Grills
Z Grills does not push its own pellets, so there is no brand question to answer — just which bags suit a PID controller and a 28 lb hopper.
By Mike M. · Last updated November 6, 2026 · How we pick
No brand loyalty required
Z Grills does not market its own pellets the way Traeger and Pit Boss do, so there is no brand-matching question. Any standard BBQ pellet works. What matters on a Z Grills specifically is low ash — because the PID controller is sensitive to burn-pot condition — and cost per pound, because the 28 lb hopper takes a lot.
Why low ash matters more on a Z Grills
A PID controller continuously measures and corrects. That makes it better than a timed-feed board — but it also means it is working against anything that disturbs combustion, and ash in the burn pot is the main culprit.
A high-ash pellet fills the pot faster, which degrades airflow, which makes the controller work harder and the temperature wander. On a grill whose main selling point is temperature accuracy, protecting that accuracy with clean-burning fuel is the right priority.
Two bags state low ash explicitly: Camp Chef (kiln-dried for low moisture, which produces less ash) and Bear Mountain (low moisture and low ash on every bag). Both are our first choices for a Z Grills.
The 28 lb hopper changes the maths
The 7002C and the 700-series models carry 28 lb, which Z Grills rates at up to 28 hours of cooking. A 20 lb bag does not fill it.
That makes 40 lb bags the sensible buy — one bag fills the hopper with 12 lb spare. Pit Boss Competition Blend at 40 lb is the lowest cost per pound we track, and nothing about it being a Pit Boss product makes it unsuitable for a Z Grills.
The hopper cleanout is your friend
Every current Z Grills model has a hopper cleanout — tool-free on the 7002C, a twist mechanism on the 2026 models. That makes flavor swapping genuinely quick, which means the three-bag system is practical: a bulk blend for everyday, a single wood for when it matters.
What we would buy for a Z Grills
| Bag | Role | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Camp Chef Competition Blend (20 lb) | Everyday | Kiln-dried, low ash — protects the PID controller |
| Bear Mountain Gourmet (20 lb) | Everyday alternative | Low moisture, low ash, keen price |
| Pit Boss Competition Blend (40 lb) | Bulk | Lowest cost per pound; fills a 28 lb hopper with spare |
| Lumber Jack Competition (20 lb) | When you want to know the ratio | Published 1/3 maple, hickory, cherry |
| Kingsford Craftsmoke Hickory (20 lb) | Cheapest single wood | Lowest sticker price from a known brand |
One Z Grills-specific note on moisture
Z Grills models have a pellet viewing window, which is genuinely useful — you can see fuel level without opening the hopper. Use it to check condition as well as quantity. If the pellets look dusty or you can see fines at the bottom, that is damp-pellet breakdown and it is on its way to jamming the auger. Empty the hopper via the cleanout and start with a dry bag.
The picks in full
#1 · All-round use with minimal ash
Camp Chef Competition Blend
Camp Chef
Kiln-dried maple, hickory and cherry at an everyday price. Low ash because the moisture is low.
- Maple, hickory and cherry blend
- 20 lb bag
- 100% virgin hardwoods, no oils, chemicals or binders
- Kiln-dried for low moisture; made in the USA
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Good
- Kiln-drying means fewer pellets burned to hold temperature
- Safe in all pellet grills
Trade-off
- Nothing distinctive about the flavor versus other maple-hickory-cherry blends
#2 · Everyday cooking with less ash to clean
Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend
Bear Mountain
Low-moisture, low-ash, and the cheapest premium 20 lb bag we track. A good everyday pellet.
- 100% hardwood, no flavorings, fillers or additives
- 20 lb bag
- Low moisture content for a clean burn
- Works in all pellet grills
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Good
- Noticeably low ash, which matters on grills with small burn pots
- Keenly priced for a premium bag
Trade-off
- Bear Mountain does not state which woods make up the blend
#3 · High-volume cooking on a budget
Pit Boss Competition Blend
Pit Boss
40 lb for roughly what a premium 20 lb bag costs. The best cost per cook on this site.
- 100% natural hardwood, no added scents, sprays or glues
- 40 lb bag
- Pit Boss rates it for beef, chicken, pork and vegetables
- Bag dimensions 26 x 5 x 18 in
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Good
- Lowest cost per pound we track
- Fits any pellet grill
- Clean burn, no additives
Trade-off
- 40 lb is heavy to lift into a hopper
- Pit Boss does not publish the wood ratios in the blend
#4 · Cooks who want to know exactly what is burning
Lumber Jack Competition Blend
Lumber Jack
The only bag here that publishes its exact ratio: one third each maple, hickory and cherry.
- 1/3 maple, 1/3 hickory, 1/3 cherry — stated on the bag
- 20 lb bag
- Made in the USA
- Rated for pellet grills, tube smokers and the Smokin Wedgie
Good
- Published wood ratio, which almost no brand gives you
- Balanced flavor that suits most cuts
Trade-off
- 20 lb bag costs close to a Pit Boss 40 lb
#5 · Lowest price per 20 lb bag
Kingsford Craftsmoke Hickory
Kingsford
The cheapest 20 lb bag we can find from a name you already know. Fine everyday hickory.
- 100% natural hardwood
- 20 lb bag
- Compatible with all pellet grills
Good
- Lowest sticker price of any 20 lb bag here
- Widely stocked
Trade-off
- Newer line with a shorter track record than Lumber Jack or CookinPellets
Questions people actually ask
What are the best pellets for a Z Grill?
Camp Chef Competition Blend or Bear Mountain Gourmet for everyday use, because both are low-ash and that protects the PID controller’s accuracy. Pit Boss Competition Blend in 40 lb for the best cost per pound.
Does Z Grills make its own pellets?
Not as a prominent part of their range, which simplifies the decision — any standard BBQ pellet works, so buy on ash content and cost per pound.
Why does ash matter on a Z Grills?
The PID controller is sensitive to anything that disturbs airflow, and ash in the burn pot is the main culprit. Low-ash pellets help the controller hold the accuracy you paid for.
How much does a Z Grills hopper hold?
28 lb on the 7002C and 700-series models, which Z Grills rates at up to 28 hours. The 200A tabletop holds 8 lb, around ten hours of low-and-slow.
Sources
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