Bear Mountain All Natural Wood Pellets 40 Lbs Hickory Review (2026)

What these pellets are made from

Bear Mountain describes this product as 100 percent premium, all natural hardwood pellets with no flavorings, fillers, or additives mixed in. The wood is pressed sawdust that the company states is locally sourced from pellet mills across the United States, and the finished pellets are made in the USA. This 40 pound bag is a single hickory flavor rather than a blend, giving a consistent smoke profile throughout the bag rather than the flavor variation that comes with blended pellet products. Bear Mountain markets the low moisture content of its pellets as part of what produces a cleaner burn and better smoke quality compared with pellets that have higher moisture, though the company does not publish an exact moisture percentage for this specific bag.

Hickory flavor profile

Hickory is one of the more assertive and traditional barbecue wood flavors, generally associated with a deep, smoky character that pairs well with pork ribs, brisket, and other cuts of red meat that can stand up to a strong smoke profile. Compared with milder woods like oak or fruit woods such as apple or cherry, hickory tends to come through more noticeably in the finished food, which makes it a popular default choice for classic barbecue but a less common pick for delicate proteins like fish or vegetables where a subtler smoke is often preferred. Grillers who already know they favor bold, traditional barbecue flavor are the best fit for committing to a full 40 pound bag of a single wood type like this one.

Compatibility with pellet grills

According to Bear Mountain, these pellets work with all outdoor pellet, gas, charcoal, and electric grills and smokers, and the company specifically lists compatibility with major pellet grill brands including Traeger, Pit Boss, Louisiana Grills, and Green Mountain Grills. That broad compatibility means buyers do not need to check whether a specific pellet grill brand will accept Bear Mountain pellets before purchasing, which removes a common source of uncertainty when switching pellet brands. Because pellet grills rely on a hopper and auger system to feed pellets automatically, consistent pellet size and low moisture content, as Bear Mountain describes for this product, matter for reliable feeding and combustion, since damp or inconsistent pellets are a more frequent cause of auger jams or uneven smoke.

Buying in bulk versus smaller bags

This 40 pound bag is a larger quantity than Bear Mountain's 20 pound bags, and buying the bigger size is generally more economical per pound for grillers who use their pellet grill often enough to go through that much hickory before it goes stale or absorbs moisture. The single flavor format means less flexibility than a variety pack or a smaller assortment of different woods, so buyers committing to 40 pounds of hickory should be confident it is a flavor they will use regularly rather than occasionally. Anyone wanting to try multiple wood flavors without committing to a large single flavor bag would likely be better served by smaller bags or a mixed blend product instead of this size.

Storage and care

Because wood pellets are compressed sawdust with no added binder beyond natural lignin, they are sensitive to moisture and can swell or break apart if exposed to damp conditions, which can clog a pellet grill's auger system. A 40 pound bag like this one should be stored in a dry, sealed container, ideally in a pellet caddy or a lidded bin rather than left in its original bag in a humid garage or shed. Following that kind of basic storage practice helps preserve the low moisture Bear Mountain builds into the pellets at production and keeps the pellet grill's feed system running smoothly across the life of the bag, which matters more with a larger 40 pound quantity that may take longer to use up than a smaller bag.

Frequently asked questions