I have an FEC100 on order and was wondering how you figure the cost of the pellets per smoking session? Do you use pellets during the entire cooking process? Say you're smoking a 10 pound butt...Do you use pellets for the first few hours or all the way thru????
Thanks for helping this newbie

The FEC-100 will burn pellets throughout the entire cook. With the IQ4 controller, I find that it takes about 1/2 to 2/3rds of a pellet per hour. As to the cost, that will depend on what you are paying for the pellets. Here in Florida, a number of us will go in together and order a pallet (2000 lbs.) of pellets and split it up. When we do that, our cost is about 40 cents per lb.

Now, I will tell you that it does not take many more pellets per hour, if any, to cook a whole load (16) of butts as it does to cook one butt. So your cost goes down based on the higher the number of butts you cook in a run.

Hope this helps.

Were you thinking of putting charcoal in your FEC or ....?

It's 100% wood fired, so it burns pellets throughout the cook, as John said.

The amount will vary with the temp. In the 250 temp range, 1/2 to 1 lb per hour is normal. If you're using it higher, say 350, it takes more.

Just do a few test runs, weigh the pellets you put in and determine your use.

Individual results will vary (think that the legal disclaimer, right?)

Thanks for the help....Will use the lower temps most the time.
Shipping is going to cost more ($12) as the cost of the pellets ($10). Will have to call and see what a person can get when ordering more, huh?

Check with Fast Eddy,he has a number of FEC s up towards you and he may be able to hook you up with others for a combo/shared shipment.

Tom-Fl

Thanks! $22 for 10 pounds is steep. Using 1/2 to 1 pound per hour...I see I'm gonna need alot more pellets than the 80 pounds I got with the FEC100.

Like Tom said, check with Eddy, buy in bulk and safe a bunch in shipping.

quote:

Originally posted by SouthDakota:
Thanks! $22 for 10 pounds is steep. Using 1/2 to 1 pound per hour...I see I'm gonna need alot more pellets than the 80 pounds I got with the FEC100.

I buy from Eddy. $10.00 per 40 pound bag. Minimum order of 400 pounds gets a price break on shipping. Usually costs me $20-$21 per bag with delivery.

Thanks for the info Fast Freddie...That would make if waaaaay more affordable.

Most towns have a sports store or backyard store that carries Traeger stoves. Their pellets run about $16.00 per 20 pounds. If you see Smith and Wesson those are also Traeger.

If you use Traeger pellets, make sure you don't get the alder base. These have a nasty smell when they burn.

I think South Dakota is far enough East to get the White Oak pellets....but maybe not. I don't know why that is about Traeger. I've used Bear Mountain 100% Alder and Apple/Hickory/Cherry and Alder without side effects. I also like Branch Creek 100% pellets. I think I'm going to order a pallet of Fast Eddy pellets as soon as I find a friendly loading dock. Last thing I ordered I had to pay $125.00 for some cargo expert to move the pallet onto the lift gate and off on the ground.

ZBO,

When I got my pellets from Eddy, I just needed a business address for delivery. I had a friend that owns a service station. They put the pallet on the ground, and I broke it down and loaded them in the back of my pickup.

South Dakota is west of the Mississippi River, so Traeger pellets would come from Oregon (alder base).

quote:

Originally posted by ZBO:
I think South Dakota is far enough East to get the White Oak pellets....but maybe not. I don't know why that is about Traeger. I've used Bear Mountain 100% Alder and Apple/Hickory/Cherry and Alder without side effects. I also like Branch Creek 100% pellets. I think I'm going to order a pallet of Fast Eddy pellets as soon as I find a friendly loading dock. Last thing I ordered I had to pay $125.00 for some cargo expert to move the pallet onto the lift gate and off on the ground.

I have my pellets delivered to my home. I use this as one of my business addresses. The drivers have always put them in the basement, which is at driveway level, at no extra charge.