Pellet and cook calculator

Planning numbers for time, pellet weight, and whether the hopper survives the cook. Not a promise. Wind and weather will move this.

Inputs

Change anything. The estimate updates live. The URL updates so you can paste it in a reply.

Protein / cook typeMeat weight (lb)Target grill temp (F)Grill model

Ambient condition

Winter / sub-freezing is the one that surprises people. It roughly doubles pellet use in this model.

Mild (about 60 to 80 F)1x pelletsCool (about 40 to 59 F)1.25x pelletsCold (about 25 to 39 F)1.55x pelletsWinter / sub-freezing2.1x pellets

Hopper size (lb)Type the hopper on your lid or bag.Generic burn rate at 225 F (lb/hr)Community ballpark is often 0.5 to 1.2 lb/hr in mild weather. Not a lab number.

Planning number that tries to leave room for a stall. A 12 lb packer at 225 F is often an overnight job.

Estimate

Cook time: 16 hr 30 min; 16.5 hours
Pellets: 14.4 lb; 0.85 lb/hr once running

Hopper remaining on paper: 3.6 lb of 18 lb.

Overnight empty risk

Overnight cook with a thin pellet margin. Wind or a gasket leak can empty the hopper before morning.

Assumptions

Cook time starts from 1.5 hr plus 1.25 hr per lb, then scales by (225 / target temp)^0.85.
Pellet burn starts at 0.85 lb/hr at 225 F, then scales by (target temp / 225)^1.2 and an ambient multiplier of 1x (Mild (about 60 to 80 F)).
Startup waste is a flat 0.35 lb. Real ignition can use more if you leave the lid open.
Wind, wet pellets, a dirty fire pot, and a leaky lid are not in the math. They usually burn more, not less.
This is a planning estimate, not a promise and not food-safety advice.

Full formula writeup · Food-safety disclaimer

The URL updates as you change inputs. Copy it to share your exact scenario. How the formula works.