If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the BEST Camp Chef pellet grill is, then we recommend the SmokePro SGX as the best one.
Whether you’re new to the world of pellet grilling, or a seasoned pro looking to upgrade with a more sophisticated unit, there’s a good chance that Camp Chef offers a model that will suit your needs. The question is, which one should you invest in? To help make your selection easier, I’ve put together this list of Camp Chef pellet grill reviews.
In this article, we’re going to review the following Camp Chef pellet grills:
- Camp Chef SmokePro DLX
- Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro
- Camp Chef PG24STX SmokePro
- Camp Chef SmokePro SG
- Camp Chef SmokePro SGX
- Camp Chef SmokePro XT
- Camp Chef Pursuit 20
- Camp Chef Woodwind SG
Shopping For A Pellet Grill: The Basics
The more you know about pellet grills in general, the easier it will be to decide which product might be right for you. Before reading our individual Camp Chef smoker reviews, ask yourself the following pertinent questions.
What are the advantages of owning a pellet grill?
If you enjoy cooking your meals outdoors, investing in a pellet grill can be a game-changer. Here are just a few reasons why.
They’re easy to use.
Even if you’re a complete novice, you might be surprised at how quickly you’re able to get the hang of pellet grilling. These units can be assembled in under two hours, and many of them feature digital controls with pre-programmable settings to help ensure even cooking temperatures.
Your food will cook evenly.
Since the wood pellets are fed into the cooking chamber according to your pre-set temperature, you won’t have to worry about scorching or flare-ups. The most reliable pellet grills are able to maintain accurate temperatures throughout the cooking process. If the temperature readout tends to fluctuate more than 25 degrees in either direction, then there’s a good chance the unit is faulty.
They provide hints of smokiness without overwhelming the other flavors.
You can buy pellets for your Camp Chef smoker in a variety of flavors, from pecan and maple to apple and mesquite. While these will impart a smoky flavor to your finished product, they’re subtle enough to be used with other seasonings. Best of all, they enhance the natural umami flavors in the meat, without overpowering them.
They heat quickly.
A quality pellet grill should heat to your pre-selected temperature within ten minutes. If you’ve been hesitant about investing in a grill because you think the process is too time-consuming, a Camp Chef pellet grill might just prove you wrong.
You can operate some units remotely.
Many outdoor chefs see grilling as a social activity, with the cooking process serving as a backdrop to neighborhood get-togethers. In these cases, you’ll want to streamline the process as much as possible. Fortunately, some modern pellet grills are equipped with Wi-Fi technology, which allows you to keep an eye on the internal temperature of your unit via your tablet or smartphone. You can even make adjustments to the temperature from a distance.
How do I go about choosing the right product?
Before shopping for a pellet grill, you should ask yourself the following questions:
How much can I afford to spend?
Your budget is a primary factor in this decision. There are well-made pellet grills to suit every price range, but do be sure to invest in the highest-quality model that you can afford.
How much cooking space do I need?
Pellet grills come in a broad range of sizes, with units offering from 200 to 1000-plus square inches of grilling space. Consider the size of your family, how often you grill, and whether or not you entertain on a regular basis.
Is the product built to last?
Look for a unit with a durable steel construct that can withstand both the heat of the pellet fire and exposure to the elements. If there are wheels included, they should be all-terrain models, preferably with locking casters for stability.
Is there a customer warranty included in the purchase?
Most reputable pellet grill companies will offer a warranty, typically for one to three years. Some of them offer additional protection in the form of a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What’s the best way to use a pellet grill?
These units are as versatile as the day is long. You can use them to make everything from pulled pork to grilled flatbread, or to bake cakes and pies for dessert. It’s even possible to use your pellet grill to smoke a whole turkey—an impressive menu idea for the holidays, or any time of year. For an in-depth tutorial on how to pull this off, check out this YouTube video:
Why should I buy a pellet grill instead of a charcoal or propane-fueled unit?
As mentioned above, pellet grills have several advantages over the competition. They’re user-friendly, they impart a lovely smoky flavor without the mess of charcoal, and they’re capable of heating to your desired temperature within minutes. In other words, you’ll get the same prized flavor you can achieve with charcoal, combined with the instant gratification that propane grills provide. Also, because pellet smokers cause fewer flare-ups, there’s less risk of carcinogenic substances leaching their way into your food.
Are there any safety precautions I should be aware of?
Remember that any fire poses a hazard, regardless of whether or not it’s in a confined area.
Another important point: The wood pellets used for heating purposes are not the same as the ones you feed into the hopper of your pellet grill. If you heat your home using a pellet stove, don’t be tempted to use those pellets for cooking. Many of them are made from wood types that could spoil the flavor of your food—or worse, result in health issues. To achieve the best flavor, try to purchase your pellets from the same company that manufactured your grill.
Camp Chef Pellet Grill Reviews
Now that you have a clearer idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to determine whether one of Camp Chef’s current offerings could be the right grill for you. These Camp Chef smoker reviews include handy lists of pros and cons to aid in your decision-making process.
#1 Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
This affordable grill and smoker offers 573 square inches of cooking space, which should be sufficient for groups of six to eight people. It also has an impressive temperature range of 160 to 500 degrees, meaning that it’s capable of turning out everything from slow-cooked barbecued ribs to homemade pizza. The dual-temperature probes allow you to check both the internal temperature of the oven and the doneness of the meat at the same time. As a general rule, this smoker is capable of maintaining its temperature to within 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
One of Camp Chef’s premier innovations is its patented ash cleanout system, which allows you to clear the pellet chamber simply by pushing on a lever. The SmokePro DLX is constructed of quality steel, with a black finish and two wheels for maneuverability. Other perks include a pellet-purging function, a warming rack, and a side shelf for keeping condiments and grill tools handy during cooking.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Power bypass feature allows you to finish grilling in case of a power outage
- Convenient design makes for a more efficient grilling space
Cons:
- Camp Chef’s warranty extends for only one year (true of every product listed here)
- Assembly can be problematic
- Difficult to maintain temperature in cold weather without the aid of a thermal blanket
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#2 Camp Chef SmokePro PG24MZG
The price point on the PG24MZG is on the high side, but considering its generous capacity—811 total square inches of cooking space—it still offers a decent value, especially if you grill frequently. The Smart Digital control system helps keep temperatures accurate to within 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and the stainless steel construct makes this offering one of the sturdiest models on our list. It features the same ash cleanout system as the SmokePro DLX—just pull on the lever, and ash will drop from the pellet chamber into the waiting receptacle.
The main issue I’ve noted with the PG24MZG is the assembly. Not only does it take a long time to put together, some of the bolts and washers seemed to be incompatible with their assigned places. Camp Chef’s customer service department was quick to resolve the problem, but it represented a lot of wasted time, especially at this price. Speaking of cost, Wi-Fi capability is never a given, but it would have been a welcome perk in this case. Finally, the wheels on this grill aren’t as heavily built as the rest of the unit.
Pros:
- Direct flame option for fire-roasted flavor
- Maximum grilling space for large gatherings
- Great at smoking large cuts of meat
Cons:
- Temperature probes can be finicky
- Confusing assembly, with some components that don’t line up well with their counterparts
- No Wi-Fi capability (surprising at this price)
- Wheels are on the flimsy side
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#3 Camp Chef PG24STX SmokePro
With 429 square inches of grilling space, the PG24STX is a moderately-sized unit that carries a reasonable price tag. This makes it a good choice for smaller families with modest budgets who want to enjoy excellent grilled and smoked meats year-round.
The unit features a generous temperature range of 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and the digital control panel is easy enough to use. That said, I’ve noticed that the unit takes awhile to reach the pre-selected temperatures, especially at temps over 350 degrees. Once it’s preheated, the temperatures usually remain stable to within 20 degrees, but you won’t get that instant gratification offered by some comparable models.
One thing that I especially appreciate about the PG24STX is the adjustable chimney feature. This allows you to control the amount of smoke flavor that you get, giving this unit a degree of versatility that helps it stand out from the crowd. A lower rack-style shelf is convenient for storage purposes. The ash control and grease management systems make cleanup easier as well.
Pros:
- Excellent pellet efficiency, especially at lower temperatures
- Auger component is trustworthy, allowing for hands-free operation
- Turns out superb results across a variety of cooking applications
- Sear box adds extra flair to grilled meats
Cons:
- Slow at heating to higher temperatures
- Bulky design
- No side shelf
- Tough to assemble
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#4 Camp Chef SmokePro SG
With 811 square inches of grilling space, and a total cooking volume of 4850 cubic inches, this model is equipped to handle the largest cuts of meat that you can find. The aforementioned smoked turkey recipe would be a good fit here, along with full racks of ribs and premium cuts of pork butt. The attached hopper is equipped to hold up to 22 pounds of pellets, so you won’t have to worry about running out while preparing these gargantuan feasts.
The dual-meat probes on the SmokePro SG allow you to keep a close eye on both the cooking temperature and the internal temp of the meat. In my experience, the probes are surprisingly accurate for a unit of this size. Camp Chef doesn’t advertise a specific range for this model, but I’ve found that it gets hot enough to turn out excellent hand-tossed pizzas and flatbreads.
One final note: I’ve noticed that the smoke flavor isn’t as pronounced when using this grill, no matter what type of pellets I use. This might not be an issue if you aren’t a fan of smoked foods, but since the unit carries the SmokePro name, I think it’s a quirk worth mentioning.
Pros:
- Efficient cleaning system
- Generous hopper capacity
- Precise temperature control
- Turns out good results at both low and high temperatures
Cons:
- Might be too big for some families
- Difficult to assemble
- Overall smoke flavor is very mild
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#5 Camp Chef SmokePro SGX
This is a luxury model in both the pricing and sizing categories. The unit features no fewer than 1236 square inches of cooking space, with an oven capacity of 7000 cubic inches. That gives it the distinction of being the largest model on our list, and by quite a wide margin. If you’re looking for a pellet smoker that can roast two 15-pound turkeys at once, then this could be the right unit for you.
Like many SmokePro offerings, this smoker comes equipped with dual probes for recording both the grill temperature and the internal meat temp. The technology is slightly more advanced here, offering a dual LED readout display along with the automatic ignition. In addition to the patented ash control system, the 22-pound pellet hopper has an automatic cleanout feature as well. The chimney is adjustable, so you can decide how much smoke flavor you want added to your dish.
While I find the design of the SmokePro SGX to be a tad on the bulky side, there are four wheels attached to the legs to make it more maneuverable. As with the PG24MZG model, I was taken aback to learn that this model wasn’t Wi-Fi compatible. Also, the digital readouts become increasingly erratic as the temperature rises above 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros:
- Can easily fit two decent-sized turkeys at once
- Adjustable chimney design
- Four wheels increase maneuverability
- Impressive size
Cons:
- Large, bulky design
- No Wi-Fi capability
- Tough to maintain accurate temperatures once they reach 400 degrees Fahrenheit
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#6 Camp Chef SmokePro XT
This model carries a lower price tag than most of the pellet smokers on our list, making it an attractive option for casual grillers. With 570 square inches of cooking space, it’s large enough to handle larger groups, but small enough so that it won’t dominate your patio space. You can set the temperature from 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for a broad range of cooking applications.
The SmokePro XT comes equipped with dual temperature probes, complete with digital readouts. There’s also a removable warming rack that comes in handy for sides or bread products. The only issues I’ve encountered involve the temperature control, which is finicky during low-heat applications like smoking or barbecuing. It’s also difficult to get it to heat to its maximum temperature—it’s best to stick to 450 degrees or less.
Pros:
- Attractive design with bronze-coated finish
- “Smart Smoke” technology lets you control the amount of smoke flavor added
- Four-season capability
- Easy to set up
Cons:
- Difficult to heat to 500 degrees
- Readouts not entirely accurate at lower temperatures
- No side shelf
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#7 Camp Chef Pursuit 20 Portable Pellet Grill Smoker
The only portable pellet grill on our list, the Pursuit features an automatic ignition and a hopper with a ten-pound capacity. The stainless steel grill grates offer 501 square inches of cooking space, and the ash cleanout system is on par with the larger Camp Chef offerings.
I’m favorably impressed by the amount of grilling space available here, which is exceptionally generous by travel-grill standards. It should be noted, though, that ten pounds is not really an adequate capacity for a unit of this size. If you purchase this model, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the pellet level during cooking, especially if you’re planning on grilling more than once per day.
There are a few other caveats: The legs of the Pursuit 20 sit at an awkward angle, making it slightly unstable when placed on softer surfaces. Try to set it up in paved parking lots or hard-packed ground when taking it on the road. Assembly takes a bit longer than with most travel-sized grills, and its larger size makes it heavier than much of the competition.
Pros:
- A good choice for tailgating and RVing
- Sits high enough off the ground to protect from critters
- Eye-catching design
Cons:
- Awkward, unstable legs
- Assembly is confusing and time-consuming
- On the heavy side for a portable unit
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#8 Camp Chef Woodwind SG
For sheer bragging rights, the Woodwind SG might be the most impressive model on our list. It boasts 811 square inches of cooking space, including a sophisticated side burner that can double as a storage shelf when not in use. The removable upper warming rack gives the meat a convenient place to rest while you complete the rest of the meal. The hopper is also outfitted with a top shelf for storage, and its 22-pound capacity adds a carefree element to the cooking process.
The Woodwind SG is capable of carrying out no fewer than six cooking methods: smoking, barbecuing, braising, grilling, baking, and roasting. There’s even a built-in sear box that heats to 900 degrees, lending that prize caramelized crust to grilled meats. The advertised temperature range is 160 to 500 degrees, but I’ve found that the probes are more accurate at higher temps.
This is a prime unit, with all the bells and whistles you would expect from a premium pellet grill and smoker. However, that luxury comes at a price—literally, in this case. The Woodwind SG is the most expensive model listed here, and should be considered only if you can afford the ultimate grilling experience.
Pros:
- Generous hopper capacity
- Sear box to give ingredients a flavor boost
- Bottle opener included
- Reliable over years of use
Cons:
- Difficult to assemble
- Confusing, bulky design
- Some flare-ups reported
- Less-than-stellar results when using pellets other than Camp Chef brand
- Temperature readouts not as accurate during low-heat cooking applications
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
The Verdict
While all of these units are worthy of consideration, there can be no doubt that some are more successful than others. However, if I had to choose from all the models listed here, I would choose to invest in the SmokePro SGX.
Assuming you can put the 1236 square inches of grilling space to good use, the SGX offers both versatility and convenience. There are many factors that give it an edge over the smaller units on our list: You can manipulate the chimney to adjust the smoke flavor, it’s low-maintenance and easy to clean, and it’s durable enough to hold up to years of frequent use. Serious grillers should find plenty of ways to put the SmokePro SGX to good use, and first-timers might surprise themselves once they learn how simple it is to operate.
I hope these Camp Chef pellet grill reviews have given you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Best of luck with your new purchase!
Want to know how Camp Chef performs compared to Traeger? Read our review here.
