Can You Use Pit Boss Pellets in a Traeger Grill? What Actually Works

A pellet grill should run on clean, dry hardwood pellets that feed smoothly through the auger and burn with steady heat.

That’s the baseline.

If the pellets meet that standard, your grill doesn’t care much about the logo on the bag.

So yes, you can use Pit Boss pellets in a Traeger.

And yes, you can use most food-grade hardwood pellets in a Traeger.

But there are a few things worth knowing before you dump a new brand into your hopper.

Let’s break it down clearly.

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Do Pit Boss Pellets Work in a Traeger Grill?

Short answer: Yes.

Pellet grills, including those made by Traeger, use a standard pellet size, about ¼ inch in diameter and roughly 1 inch long.

Pit Boss pellets are made to that same size.

That means they will:

• Fit in the hopper

• Feed through the auger

• Ignite in the firepot

• Produce heat and smoke normally

There is no special chip, sensor, or lockout system that requires you to use one brand only.

Where differences show up is in burn consistency, ash production, and flavor strength.

For example, Pit Boss Apple Pellets tend to have a slightly sweeter, fruit-forward smoke profile.

Buy Pit Boss Apple Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

On the other hand, Traeger Signature Blend Pellets mix hickory, maple, and cherry for a balanced smoke flavor.

Buy Traeger Signature Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

Both will work in a Traeger grill.

The difference is taste and performance, not compatibility.

Read Next: Traeger Grill Clean Up Hacks You Never Knew You Needed

Can You Use Any Pellets in a Traeger?

Here’s where the answer changes slightly.

You can use any food-grade hardwood BBQ pellets in a Traeger.

You should not use:

• Heating pellets for home furnaces

• Softwood pellets

• Pellets with additives or binding agents

Heating pellets are cheaper, but they are not made for cooking.

They may contain softwoods or chemical residues.

That can create bitter smoke and unsafe fumes.

Stick with pellets labeled for BBQ or cooking use.

What to Look For

When choosing pellets for a Traeger, check for:

• 100% hardwood

• No fillers

• Low moisture content

• Minimal dust in the bag

If pellets crumble easily or look damp, skip them.

Moist pellets can swell and cause auger jams.

Does Using Another Brand Void the Warranty?

Many grill owners worry about this.

In general, using another brand of food-grade pellets does not automatically void your warranty.

However, if poor-quality pellets cause mechanical damage (like an auger jam), that repair may not be covered.

That’s not a brand issue.

It’s a quality issue.

If you stick with reputable BBQ pellet brands, you’re unlikely to run into problems.

Read Next: Best Grill Pellets: Top Pick Plus 2 Alternatives

Flavor Differences: What Changes When You Switch?

Pellets control two things: heat and smoke flavor.

Switching from Traeger Signature Blend to Pit Boss Apple will:

• Change the sweetness of the smoke

• Lighten or darken meat color

• Slightly affect smoke intensity

It will not:

• Change your grill’s temperature control

• Damage your grill

• Prevent ignition

Applewood pellets are great for pork, poultry, and even baked desserts on a pellet grill.

Hickory-heavy blends work better for brisket and ribs.

There’s no rule that says you must match brand to grill.

Many backyard cooks mix and match depending on the recipe.

Buy Pit Boss Apple Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

Buy Traeger Signature Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

Switching pellet brands raises another practical question.

Once you choose your pellets, you still need to manage fuel during long cooks.

That leads to a common concern, especially for beginners:

Can You Add Pellets to a Traeger While Cooking?

Yes.

And you often will.

Pellet grills burn through fuel steadily.

At 225°F, you might use about 1 pound per hour.

At 400°F or higher, it could be closer to 2–3 pounds per hour.

If you’re cooking a brisket for 12 hours, you will almost certainly need to refill the hopper.

Here’s how to do it safely:

• Open the hopper lid.

• Pour pellets in slowly to reduce dust.

• Close the lid.

That’s it.

You do not need to turn off the grill.

You do not need to pause the cook.

The auger will continue feeding pellets normally.

Pro Tip

Before a long cook, stir the pellets in the hopper with a dry scoop.

This prevents tunneling, where pellets feed from the center and leave gaps along the sides.

Read Next: How Long Does It Take to Smoke a Pork Shoulder on a Pellet Grill?

Flaws but Not Dealbreakers

Using Pit Boss pellets in a Traeger works well.

But there are trade-offs.

Flavor consistency may vary.

Some users find that blended pellets burn slightly differently from bag to bag.

Ash production can differ.

Some third-party pellets leave more ash, which means you may need to clean your firepot more often.

Brand pairing isn’t always optimized.

Traeger pellets are designed around Traeger burn rates.

That doesn’t mean others won’t work but performance may feel slightly different.

None of these are major problems.

They’re just small differences worth noting.

Buy Pit Boss Apple Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

Who Should Stick With Traeger Pellets?

You may want to stay with Traeger-branded pellets if:

• You’re new to pellet grilling

• You want predictable results

• You don’t want to experiment

Signature Blend is an easy, safe starting point.

It works with almost anything.

Buy Traeger Signature Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

Who Should Try Pit Boss or Other Brands?

You may prefer other brands if:

• You want specific wood flavors (like pure apple or mesquite)

• You cook often and want to reduce fuel cost

• You enjoy experimenting with smoke profiles

Many experienced grillers rotate brands based on what they’re cooking.

Buy Pit Boss Apple Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

The Bottom Line

Yes, you can use Pit Boss pellets in a Traeger.

Yes, you can use most BBQ pellets in a Traeger.

And yes, you can add pellets while cooking.

Pellet grills are more flexible than many people think.

As long as you use high-quality, food-grade hardwood pellets, your Traeger will run just fine.

The real choice isn’t about compatibility.

It’s about flavor, consistency, and value.

P.S. - We recently tested Traeger pellets head-to-head against two other top brands to find the best wood pellets. Read the full breakdown here: What Traeger Pellets Are and Why They Matter