Camp Chef Confusion and Comparisons

[pmorse36]

Guys,

I've read nothing but positive reviews on the Camp Chef line of pellet smokers and they fit well into my price range. On a personal note, Cap Chef sponsored a lease we have had for years in Texas to take people with physical disabilities on hunting and fishing trips, so I have a soft spot in my heart for the company. That being said, I am having some confusion over their line of pellet smokers. Aside from the sear box, are there any benefits of the high end Woodwind vs SmokePro series of smokers? Would you be better off adding a sear box to a SmokePro LUX or SGX vs the Woodwind w/ Sear Box? Thanks for any comments and first hand experiences!

Patrick

PS Here's a pic of me from our lease in TX Camp Chef sponsored

[Steve B]

I’m curious myself. Cause I’ve been eyeing up a these cookers myself.

interesting. your avatar and that pic of you with the turkey show 2 very different lifestyles. Just an observation.

[pmorse36]

Ha, why do you say that? You can't be an ecstatic father and loving the outdoors at the same time?

[Steve B]

You most certainly can. And I applaud you for that.
Actually talking a closer look at your avatar I can see the joy and pride in you. Very nice indeed. 👍

[JGo37]

I know that smile. You're looking down thinking this little one is going to be one heck of a conservation-minded game hunter some day. (and be able to take over fillin' the corn feeders by 8-9 years old.)

Oh - yeah, I know nothing about your question. I do charcoal and blocks of hickory, mesquite & apple. (and you're right, that should be separate post.)

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Not an expert or owner, but been watching CC as my fallback purchase. Personally I'm hoping a 36 model gets the Woodwind treatment which more or less is a few quality of life improvements to an existing product and a stainless lid and possibly other SS parts that the base model doesn't have.

The SG models are slightly bigger and have a slide feature for direct flame grilling, which isn't needed for me anyway since if I go CC it will be with a sear box. However the newest Woodwind SG seems to be the nicest model at the moment.

The LUX seems to be an upgrade of the SGX so has a few quality of life improvements such as enhanced stability as far as I can tell.

My only concern with CC is longevity of the cooker box in rust prone climates

[Pow7der]

Hebrews12v2 just posted this as part of his I’m new to pit but not new introduction. He may have some insigt on the CC options.

"Anyway I have had several Grills and smokers in my 58 years, but currently I am down to just my pellet grill Campchef Woodwind with the propane "sear station". It is the best grill I have ever owned to date! Not sure I'll ever go back to charcoal , gas or wood after owning this grill."

[pmorse36]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! Sounds like the Woodwind is the way to go at the moment. Much appreciated!

[Max Good]

The CC Sear Box can be mounted to most of their pellet smokers, but if you buy the smoker and sear box separately, you pay a bit more. Woodwind is a package deal.

[Randy-Phx]

I bought the LUX because the grate is 36 inches. I can add the seer box for $200 when my weber dies (fat chance of that). I paid $700 for the LUX and love it. I also have the jerky racks which give me 4 racks to cook ribs on.

And rust is not an issue here.

[jfmorris]

A good friend of mine got the Woodwind last year, and recently sold his Kamado Joe for $500 or so used, and has punted on plans to install a built in gas grill in an outdoor kitchen area, as he is very happy with his Woodwind. One thing he told me was he tried to do some burgers on the side burner, and you have to dial it almost as low as it will get to avoid burning up something like burgers. He's been reverse searing all his steaks too, and has in fact cooked burgers on the pellet side, it just needed a 20 minute preheat to get up to 450 or so.

[Potkettleblack]

You might recommend to your friend that he research the No Flip Burger of Shane Draper. The Grilla group is nuts for it.

[pmorse36]

A good friend of mine got the Woodwind last year, and recently sold his Kamado Joe for $500 or so used, and has punted on plans to install a built in gas grill in an outdoor kitchen area, as he is very happy with his Woodwind. One thing he told me was he tried to do some burgers on the side burner, and you have to dial it almost as low as it will get to avoid burning up something like burgers. He's been reverse searing all his steaks too, and has in fact cooked burgers on the pellet side, it just needed a 20 minute preheat to get up to 450 or so.

Awesome review and perspective. Thank you! To be clear, I plan to use this second grill as a dedicated smoker/slow cooker. Thanks again all!

[jfmorris]

Awesome review and perspective. Thank you! To be clear, I plan to use this second grill as a dedicated smoker/slow cooker. Thanks again all!

I’m that case I think I would look at one of the Camp Chef’s without the side burner, and it’s always an option later, skipping the side burner up front. The other one on my short list of under $1000 pellet smokers is the Grilla Silverbac. If you are patient, I have seen some awesome sales on the Campchef pellet smokers from time to time. Like literally hundreds below the normal price.

[pmorse36]

Beautiful. I'm in no rush. The problem with all of you helpful people and this damn website (joking of course) is that I keep hearing about new toys I want and makes purchasing harder than when I was uninformed! hahaha

[jfmorris]

Beautiful. I'm in no rush. The problem with all of you helpful people and this damn website (joking of course) is that I keep hearing about new toys I want and makes purchasing harder than when I was uninformed! hahaha

Ok, just face it. You need to get a barrel cooker, a pellet smoker, a large offset and then maybe build a brick pizza oven in the middle of the back yard. The possibilities are endless.

[pmorse36]

Haha, yep! That's the truth So, I ended up ordering the Camp Chef SmokePro 36 SGX today. I am more interested in the larger smoking cook area than the sear box since I have my Weber with the Slow n Sear that'll sit next to this dedicated smoker. If I want to throw a quick char on something as it comes off the smoker, the Slide n Gill technology on this model should get the job done. Looking forward to getting my hands on it!

[jfmorris]

Let us know how it is when you get it!