Smoker Pellet Calculator
Estimate how many pounds of wood pellets your pellet grill will burn for a cook, based on hours and smoking temperature.
How it works
Pellets (lb) = cook hours × burn rate · Bags = pellets ÷ bag size
Pellet grills feed wood pellets to hold a set temperature, and the hotter you run the more they burn. A rough guide is about half a pound per hour at a low 225 °F smoke, near one pound per hour at 275 °F, and closer to two pounds per hour when searing hot. Cold, windy weather and frequent lid-opening push consumption higher, so always start a long cook with a full, and preferably spare, hopper.
Worked example
A brisket smoked for 8 hours at 225 °F burns about 8 × 0.5 = 4 lb of pellets. Bump the smoker to 275 °F and that same 8-hour cook uses closer to 8 lb — roughly half a 20-lb bag.
Frequently asked questions
How many pounds of pellets per hour?
Expect about 0.5 lb/hr at low smoking temperatures, 1 lb/hr around 275 °F, and up to ~1.75–2 lb/hr at high heat. Actual use varies by grill model, ambient temperature and wind.
Do different pellet woods burn at different rates?
Burn rate is driven mainly by temperature and grill efficiency, not species. Denser hardwoods can last marginally longer, but plan on the temperature-based figures above.
How much extra should I keep on hand?
Add at least 25% margin for long cooks — cold weather, opening the lid, and temperature swings all raise consumption, and running dry mid-cook stalls the fire.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.