Bear Mountain 2-Pack All Natural Wood Pellets 20 Lbs Oak Review (2026)

What comes in this listing

This product includes two separate 20 pound bags of Bear Mountain's all natural oak wood pellets, for a combined 40 pounds of pellets. Bear Mountain states the pellets are made from 100 percent all natural hardwood with no flavorings, fillers, or additives, pressed from sawdust that the company sources locally from pellet mills across the United States. Splitting the total into two bags rather than one large 40 pound sack makes each bag easier to lift and carry, and lets a griller keep one bag sealed in reserve while working through the other. The pellets are made in the USA and are positioned as an everyday, versatile option within Bear Mountain's wood pellet lineup rather than a specialty or blended flavor.

Oak's flavor profile

Oak is generally considered one of the more balanced and versatile smoking woods, producing a smooth, moderate smoke flavor that is stronger than fruit woods like apple or cherry but milder than hickory or mesquite. That middle of the road profile makes oak a common choice for grillers who want a noticeable smoke flavor without it overpowering the food, and it pairs reasonably well with red meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables alike rather than being suited to just one category of protein. Grillers newer to pellet smoking or cooking for guests with different taste preferences often find oak a safer default flavor than something more assertive, since it is less likely to be too strong for any one dish at the table.

Using oak pellets across different foods

Because oak is milder than hickory or mesquite, it works well as an all purpose pellet for grillers who cook a variety of proteins rather than specializing in one type of barbecue. It suits everything from a whole chicken to a rack of ribs to grilled vegetables without needing to switch pellet flavors between different parts of a meal. Grillers looking for a very bold, traditional barbecue smoke on beef brisket or pork shoulder may find oak subtler than they want and might prefer hickory or mesquite instead for those specific cuts. As with Bear Mountain's other pellet flavors, this oak blend is compatible with all outdoor pellet, gas, charcoal, and electric grills and smokers, including major brands like Traeger, Pit Boss, Louisiana Grills, and Green Mountain Grills.

Two bag format versus one large bag

Buying 40 pounds of oak pellets split into two 20 pound bags offers some practical advantages over one larger sack, mainly around ease of lifting and flexibility in storage. A griller can move one bag to a pellet caddy near the grill while keeping the second sealed in a dry area until needed, which can help limit moisture exposure compared with leaving one large bag open for an extended period. The tradeoff is that two bags take up a bit more total shelf space than a single bag of equivalent weight, though this is a minor consideration for most home setups. Overall the two bag split is aimed at convenience rather than any difference in the pellets themselves.

Storage and handling

Like other wood pellets, Bear Mountain's oak pellets are pressed sawdust and are sensitive to moisture, which can cause them to swell and break apart if exposed to damp conditions, potentially clogging a pellet grill's auger system. Both 20 pound bags should be stored in a dry location, ideally moved into a sealed container or pellet caddy after opening rather than left exposed in a humid garage or shed. Following basic dry storage practices helps preserve the low moisture content Bear Mountain builds in at production and keeps a pellet grill's feed system running smoothly, which is a straightforward but important part of getting consistent results from any bag of wood pellets over its full life.

Frequently asked questions