Smoke pellets vs. fluid

One thing for sure, I would not want to go back to the pellet era. Using Mega Steam products and being careful what I add, I have never had overfilling issues. Can't beat the smoke volume and the wide variety of scents.

To each their own.
I prefer the pellets because I'd rather deal with the dust they generate, as opposed to oil vapors.
Pellet type smoke units certainly do not put out as much smoke, but its enough for me.

Pellet type smoke units certainly can get closed by putting in too many pellets.

Personally, I run my pellet locomotive, never had a problem. Yet, can't say the same for the oil. In 5 years, replaced 3. Now I don't run them as I use to. The Pellet loco are always run with smoke.

I use them both from time to time.  It depends on whatever mood strikes me.  Mega-Steam is a great product and produces prodigious amounts of smoke with a variety of scents.  However, there are times when I still go back to the old Lionel Smoke Pellets or their newer version.  I guess its a nostalgia thing.  

My daughter has concerns about the smoke when my grand-children are here.  Any known health concerns?

The only times I've had to replace smoke units have been when they've been clogged and ruined by pellet residue.  Never had any problems using liquid, either in PW or modern.

Any PW engines I've bought with clogged smoke units, all I've ever had to do was set the engine in neutral with the power on full and puff gently down the stack when I start seeing the waxy stuff melt and the coil glow. K-Line used to make pellets and so did another company.

Mega Steam…the best for your money and effect. I use it on my burning hobo station as well. I do like the various scents they capture the mood of things burning, coal fed, wood fed or just a pleasant scent for the wife.

jz

From a technical point of view, liquid smoke fluid wins. We hear more about liquid smoke fluid issues because it is by far the most prevalent type of smoke fluid in use.

Please, no pellets!   I take special care filling smoke units:  place a nice soft rag tightly around the hole and use a dropper and be careful.  Yes, that makes filling smoke units a "big deal" that takes some prep, time, and thinking, but okay - if that is the cost.  I use JT mega NADA (no smell) which really isn't no smell but is not-much-smell, and it produces so much smoke in modern units - watch the E9 video I posted.  Wow!!  Pellets never did that.  

I used to be a purist and only used pellets in my PW locos. But after giving JT's a try, it's all I use now. I only use a few drops at a time, and it works great. Hey, it's even turned my Williams Berk into a good smoker!