Personally, I like to fire up the grill year-round instead of waiting for the weather to turn warm.
That’s what got me interested in pellet smokers in the first place.
Since these units work best when the lids are closed, they’re an excellent choice for perpetual outdoor chefs like me.
The question is, which unit offers the best quality and value?
In my quest to learn the answer, I put together this Camp Chef SmokePro STX review.
- Digital temperature control
- Ash cleanout System
- Meat probe included
- Grease management System. Roller wheels for convenience.Grilling area:...
- Full-cook heat range: 160°F- 500°F
Things To Consider Before Buying a Pellet Smoker
Pellet smokers (or pellet grills) are fueled by compressed hardwood that’s been formed into small cylindrical pellets. Since the pellets are made from real wood, there are many different versions available—all of which will lend a particular distinctive flavor to your food.
These products are a superb choice for grilling enthusiasts who like to experiment with different taste combinations. They can be used for a myriad of cooking applications, from low-and-slow Southern barbecue to char-broiling. Digital control panels allow for a more carefree cooking experience, which is an appealing feature if you entertain often.
Be aware, however, that both the control panel and the auger are powered by electricity. That means you’ll need access to an electrical outlet—or at least a car battery—in order to operate the grill. This can be a turnoff to people who prefer to operate off the grid, especially when camping. Keep that in mind when making a decision about whether or not to buy a pellet grill.
If you do decide to take the plunge, here are a few of the factors to consider when making your selection:
- Cost: Try to find a pellet grill that suits your budget without sacrificing quality
- Materials: The main body of the grill should be made of heavy-duty steel, with cooking grates made of cast iron or restaurant-grade stainless steel
- Ease of Assembly: Clear instructions will contribute to a fast assembly time (around 2-3 hours)
- Temperature Range: The broader the range, the more versatile the unit
- Maintenance: Look for removable drip trays, automatic hopper cleanout, and quality cooking grates to make cleanup easier
- Extras: Some units are equipped with rolling casters for portability, additional storage space, or Wi-Fi capability
Camp Chef SmokePro STX: Product Specifications
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find when you unpack the Camp Chef SmokePro STX.
- Steel cooking barrel with adjustable chimney
- Porcelain-enameled steel cooking grates offering 429 square inches of grilling space
- Digital control panel
- Hopper with 18-poound capacity
- Grease management system with drip bucket
- Stainless steel meat probe
- Patented ash cleanout system with attached cup
- Cart-style frame with 2 large roller wheels and utility rack
Pros:
- Sophisticated ash cleanout system
- Easy-to-read digital display
- Impressive temperature range
- Good heat retention
Cons:
- On the smaller side
- Not a great deal of information available regarding the materials
- Ash catcher could be larger
Camp Chef SmokePro STX Review: Features & Benefits
Cost
Although pellet grills will generally cost more than their charcoal-burning counterparts, the SmokePro STX is fairly expensive even by these standards. This is especially true when you take the modest size of the unit into account. If you’re looking for a budget option, this might not be the grill for you.
Materials
Unlike some manufacturers, Camp Chef doesn’t boast about the materials used in the construction of their products. The information is available on the company website, but you’ll have to do some digging.
What you’ll find is that the main cooking chamber is composed of painted steel. The cooking grates also feature a steel construction, but with a porcelain coating to prevent the food from sticking. Both are acceptable for this type of grill, but I wouldn’t bank on the grill grates lasting longer than a year or two. At the very least, the porcelain coating is likely to wear off in that time.
Finally, the lower wire shelving is poorly designed. It can be used to store bags of pellets, but anything smaller is bound to fall through the holes in the grid, which are far too large.
Ease of Assembly
The SmokePro STX earns high marks in this category. It can be assembled and ready to start cooking within a single afternoon. That said, I would still recommend performing a “burn-in” procedure before that first cook, just because it can initially take a while for the auger to deliver the pellets to the fire pit.
Temperature Range
This unit boasts a temperature range of 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. On the lower end, it can be used to make homemade beef jerky—something not many pellet smokers can claim. While the maximum temperature isn’t quite high enough to impart a deep char, it’s more than adequate for burgers, steaks, and chops. You could even use the grill to make flatbread or pizza.
Maintenance
The ash removal system is a great feature, as it takes a great deal of the dirty work out of the cleaning process. I just wish the ash-catching cup was a bit larger, so it wouldn’t have to be emptied quite as often. On the plus side, the drip bucket that’s positioned to catch grease runoff is ample and sturdy.
Cleaning the cooking grates requires only a good scrubbing with hot, soapy water. Just try not to use anything too abrasive, or the porcelain coating might flake off.
Extras
I love the fact that this pellet grill comes with a built-in stainless steel meat probe for checking the temperature. If you’ve ever forgotten to bring your meat thermometer from the kitchen to the grill station, you’ll probably be a fan of this feature too. There’s even a handy port for storing the needle when it’s not in use.
Aside from the meat probe, however, the SmokePro STX is a fairly standard model. The shelving is adequate but not generous, and the unit isn’t Wi-Fi compatible. The wheels are large enough to move the unit from one side of the patio to the other, but the cooking chamber is too large and bulky to make this a suitable tailgating grill.
What Customers Are Saying
In an effort to learn more about the performance of the Camp Chef SmokePro STX, I took to the internet. Here’s what I was able to discern from my research.
Customer feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Several testers claimed that the grill was so easy to use, good results were practically guaranteed. Others praised the fast cleanup and felt that the unit offered a decent value for the price. However, a vocal minority felt that certain components could have been more durable, which falls in line with my own comments.
Suggested Alternatives
So, you’ve found out all you need to know about the Camp Chef SmokePro STX—and decided that it’s not for you. Fear not—there are plenty of other pellet smokers out there, and one of them is bound to suit your needs. Here are a few examples.
#1
This unit is smaller than the SmokePro STX, offering just 219 square inches of cooking space. Its compact size and weight (only 68 pounds) makes it a great choice for camping and tailgating. As an added bonus, it’s Wi-Fi compatible, so you can adjust the temperature using your smartphone.
How They Compare
- Value—Green Mountain
- Materials—Camp Chef
- Ease of Assembly—Green Mountain
- Temperature Range—Camp Chef
- Maintenance—Tie
- Extras—Green Mountain
If it’s a portable pellet grill you’re after, .
#2 Ozark Grills—The Razorback Wood Pellet Grill And Smoker
With 305 square inches of grilling space, the Razorback is ideal for couples and small families. I think the unit is more sturdily built than the SmokePro STX, and the lower shelf is more accommodating. It’s also slightly cheaper.
How They Compare
- Value—Ozark Grills
- Materials—Ozark Grills
- Ease of Assembly—Camp Chef
- Temperature Range—Camp Chef
- Maintenance—Camp Chef
- Extras—Tie
Does the SmokePro have more cooking space than you need? If so, give the Ozark Grills Razorback model a try.
#3 Monument Wood Pellet Grill
This cart-style grill offers style, convenience, and affordability. Its construction is more stable than the SmokePro’s, and the hopper is positioned so that it can easily double as an extra shelf. The primary cooking surface measures 408 square inches, but an additional warming rack includes another 164, bringing the total up to 572.
How They Compare
- Value—Monument
- Materials—Monument
- Ease of Assembly—Camp Chef
- Temperature Range—Camp Chef
- Maintenance—Tie
- Extras—Monument
This grill is worth a look if you prefer a grill with plenty of storage space. Check it out here.
Camp Chef SmokePro STX Review: The Verdict
At the end of the day, would I feel comfortable recommending the Camp Chef SmokePro STX? I would, especially if you’re the type of cook who hates to clean up afterward. The grill delivers consistent results, and the ash removal system is a real time-saver. Since I love to cook outdoors even when the weather is cold, this feature comes in especially handy. The broad temperature range is another plus, allowing for plenty of experimentation.
Click here to take a closer look at the Camp Chef SmokePro STX. Good luck, and happy grilling!
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