How Long Does a Bag of Traeger Pellets Last? (By Temperature)
A 20 lb bag of Traeger pellets lasts about 40 hours at 165°F (Smoke setting), 20 hours at 300°F, or roughly 10 hours at 450°F — because a Traeger burns 1 to 3 lbs of pellets per hour depending on temperature. Cold weather and high wind can cut that runtime further, since the grill has to work harder to hold temperature. This guide covers the exact burn-rate math and how to calculate pellets for your own cook.
How Long a 20 lb Bag Lasts, By Temperature
Best Traeger Pellets Pick
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Traeger Grills Hickory 100% All-Natural Wood Pellets, 18 lb Bag – $19.99 This is the bag size this guide’s burn-rate math is based on — 100% hardwood with no fillers or binders, which burns cleaner and more predictably than blended pellets.
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| Temperature Setting | Approx. Burn Rate | Hours per 20 lb Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke / 165°F | ~0.5 lb/hr | ~40 hours |
| 225°F (low and slow) | ~1 lb/hr | ~20 hours |
| 300°F (baking/roasting) | ~1 lb/hr | ~20 hours |
| 350–400°F | ~1.5 lb/hr | ~13–14 hours |
| 450°F / High (grilling) | ~2 lb/hr | ~10 hours |
📊 A Traeger grill burns roughly 1 to 3 lbs of pellets per hour depending on temperature setting — about 1 lb/hr for low-and-slow smoking and up to 3 lb/hr for hot-and-fast direct grilling. Source: Smoked BBQ Source
What Actually Changes How Long Your Pellets Last
- Temperature setting: the single biggest factor — low-and-slow smoking sips pellets, high-heat grilling burns through them 2–3x faster.
- Outside temperature and wind: cold weather and wind force the auger to feed more pellets to hold your set temperature, which can noticeably shorten a bag’s runtime in winter.
- Grill size and insulation: larger cooking surfaces and less-insulated grill bodies lose more heat and burn more pellets to compensate.
- Lid-opening habits: every time you open the lid, the grill burns extra pellets recovering the lost heat — frequent checking adds up over a long cook.
How Many Bags Should You Buy?
For an average low-and-slow cook (a brisket or pork shoulder running 8–12 hours at 225–250°F), plan on roughly half a 20 lb bag. For a full weekend of mixed cooking — a long smoke plus a couple of quick high-heat grilling sessions — one 20 lb bag is a safe buffer. If you cook multiple times a week, buying two bags at once (or a larger bag size, where available) avoids running out mid-cook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will a bag of Traeger pellets last?
A 20 lb bag lasts about 40 hours at 165°F on the Smoke setting, 20 hours at 300°F, or about 10 hours at 450°F, since a Traeger burns roughly 1 to 3 lbs of pellets per hour depending on temperature.
How long does a full hopper of pellets last at 225?
A full hopper (typically holding around 18–20 lbs depending on the model) lasts roughly 18–20 hours at 225°F, since low-and-slow smoking burns pellets at close to 1 lb per hour.
How long should a 40 lb bag of pellets last?
A 40 lb bag lasts roughly double a 20 lb bag at the same temperature — about 80 hours at 165°F, 40 hours at 300°F, or around 20 hours at 450°F.
Do pellets go bad or lose potency if stored too long?
Yes. Pellets absorb moisture from humid air and can swell, crumble, or clog the auger if not sealed well. Store opened bags in an airtight container and use within a few months for the best burn quality and flavor.
Temperature, not brand, is what mostly decides how long a bag of pellets lasts — a 20 lb bag can run anywhere from 10 to 40 hours depending entirely on the setting you cook at. Track your burn rate for a cook or two and you’ll be able to predict exactly how many bags a season of grilling actually needs.
