• Remove the chicken drumsticks from their packaging and rinse under cold running water. Pay dry with paper towels.
  12 Chicken Drumsticks

Dry Brine Overnight

• Place the chicken legs on a wire rack placed on top of a baking sheet.
  
• Mix together the 4 tablespoon Kosher salt and 1 tablespoon pepper, or use your favorite BBQ rub, and sprinkle generously over all sides of each chicken drumstick. DO NOT use cooking oil to adhere or skin will not get crispy.
  4 tablespoon Kosher Salt, 1 tablespoon Course Ground Black Pepper
  
• Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
  

Remove the Next Day

• Take the chicken legs out of the refrigerator and wipe off any excess salt still remaining on the outside with a damp paper towel.
• Mix the "In a Pinch" BBQ rub ingredients together and apply some to all sides of the chicken legs. Or use some more of your favorite BBQ rub for chicken.
  2 tablespoon Three Little Pigs BBQ Rub, 2 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar, 2 tablespoon Paprika, 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt, ½ tablespoon Course Ground Black Pepper, ½ tablespoon Chili Powder, ½ tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper optional

Start the Traeger Pellet Grill

• Remove the fire pot from the bottom of the Traeger and clean out any ashes left over from the last cook. Replace it and make sure it is secured in place with the clips on either side.
  
• Load the hopper of the Traeger with your chosen wood pellets.
• Turn on the Traeger and move the dial to the "Smoke" setting.
  
• Leave the lid open for 5-7 minutes until you start seeing white billowing smoke coming out of the grill. This means the initial pellets are igniting.
  
• Close the lid and turn the temperature dial to 300°F. Allow 10-15 minutes for the grill to come up to temperature.
  
• Clean the grill grates with a good grill brush and close the lid again.

Smoking the Chicken Drumsticks on the Traeger Pellet Grill

• Place the chicken legs on the Traeger. You can flip and rotate for even cooking as needed. You can even leave them on the wire rack if you wish.
  
• Mix the two types of Blues Hog BBQ sauce together in a small bowl, and set aside
  ¼ Cup Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce, ¼ Cup Blues Hog Tennessee Red BBQ Sauce
  
• Continue smoking the chicken legs, until the internal temperature reaches about 160°F internally. This may take 1 to 1.5 hours.
  
• Once the skin on the chicken legs is crispy, gently baste the sauce on with a basting brush. Close the lid and continue cooking.
  
• Once the internal temperature of the smoked chicken drumsticks reaches 175°F, remove them from the Traeger and place on a serving tray
  
• Serve immediately with extra sauce if desired.