When we’re talking about smokers, Camp Chef is one of the most popular picks on today’s market. It offers lots of features and a high level of quality at a reasonable price. Camp Chef is a well-established name in the industry, and they are known for producing high-quality products designed for camping and food preparation. Their pizza ovens are top-rated among customers. This smoker caught our eye, so we decided to check if it’s as good as they say it is.
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is without a doubt one of the best such contraptions we’ve seen so far. We will take a close look at all the features it offers and hopefully sums up all of the information in this review, so you could get the information you need before purchasing it.
Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24 Wood Pellet Grill Smoker Review
Pros:
- Easy to use and clean
- Efficient and reliable
- Consistent temperature
- Power failure restart
Cons:
- Rusts and decays if left outside
- The smoke area is not that big
- The removal of excess pellets is a bit hard
The Things You Get
First of all, the SmokePro comes with all the things you need for smoking food. They include:
- Main smoker body
- 4 legs – 2 have wheels
- Drip Bucket
- Warming rack
- Ash cleaning system
- Pellet rake
- User manual
- Warranty for 3 years
The dimensions of the smoker are 51 x 21 x 45 inches. The entire rig weights precisely 140 lbs. The hopper is nice and large, and it can hold about 18 pounds of pellets at a time. The pellets are able to cover the entire cooking area which is 570 sq inches. Now, let’s take a closer look at the design and build of this excellent product.
Design and Build
Looking at this product from the bottom up, you can see right away that it’s made to last. Both the body and the legs are nice and firm, and everything is made out of high-quality metals. The black paint finish only makes it look even better. At first, you could mistake it for a regular BBQ, but open it up and you’ll see that it’s different.
These smokers are made to last for years and years to come. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that it’s prone to weather damage. That means that you should keep it in a garage or under some roof when you’re not using it. If you leave it in the sun and rain, it could get damaged. With that said, you can use it in any weather conditions, make sure it’s under a cover.
We are stoked about the SmokePro DLX due to the many amazing features and fresh design ideas that make the smoking process exciting and fun. The first thing we’ll talk about is the temperature probe. Using a digital thermometer when smoking or grilling food is always a good idea as you’ll know exactly what the temperature is at all times. That will help you get more control over the process and yield better results in the end. While most models don’t offer this feature, this one sure does, and it’s excellent.
Another feature we learned to love in a couple of hours is the power failure restart. If anything goes wrong and the device loses its power supply, it will restart and continue the process once the power comes back. You won’t wake up to a half-cooked brisket if that happens.
Then, we have the LED panel that shows all of the vital info, including a temperature display, the auto-start ignition, which makes starting the whole process straightforward and quick. This model is constructed in a way that makes operating it super-easy even for a beginner. That is one of the reasons why this excellent food smoker finds its way to thousands of households in the US.
The only thing we didn’t like about the display is that it looks a little dated. Other models have updated control systems and bigger screens. Not that this one doesn’t do the job, it just looks a little old.
Features
Ease of Use
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX is a pellet grill, and grills like that have a number of advantages you’ll learn to love. First, of, the temperature range is from 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit ( 71-260 C), and it heats up in a matter of minutes. Pellet grills are the best type of grills as they fire up quickly and do most of the hard work for you. However, you have to stay close to it and add the pellets to keep the temperature at the right level. That shouldn’t be hard because the smoker always shows the temperature setting on the screen. Definitely, one of the most comfortable smokers to operate on the market.
Easy to Clean
Pellet smokers do have a downside, and that is all of the ash that’s left at the bottom after burning pellets and wood. Cleaning smokers from ash is a chore at best and a nightmare in most cases. Well, the designers of this product have thought about that, and they came up with a feature that takes care of the issue before it arises.
The patented ash cleaning mechanism or the Ash Cleanout System, as it’s also known, takes care of everything. It works like this: there’s a small sheet of metal placed underneath the fire pit. It sits on a spring that allows it to slide out of the way and release the ash that’s gathered up on it. The ash slips into a metal cup, and you have to throw it away. It’s incredibly easy to clean and its a feature loved by most users.
Simple Temperature Controls
Okay, so the cleaning is easy, but what about the controls? The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX is super-easy to use. The simple dial system offers a couple of pre-set temperatures and different modes that do everything for you. The built-in cooldown function even lowers the temperature automatically in case you leave the food inside the smoker for too long.
Another feature that’s cool with this model is the easy access fuse located on the front panel. A blown fuse on a pellet grill is a regular thing you can expect to happen, but unlike other models, you’ll be able to replace it without no hassle at all. The pellet dump makes things even easier. All of the excess pellets can find their way into the hopper.
The Warranty
Camp Chef cares about what their customers say, which is why they increased the warranty from 1 year to 3 years. That happened due to some complaints and comparison to other brands and models. Put in short terms, now is the best time to buy one of these smokers as you’ll get a more extended warranty.
Benefits
- Like classic charcoal smokers, this Pellet smoker also provides excellent tasting food. This smoker is able to provide food that has that smoky, woody flavor, just like you’d get with a traditional smoker. There is almost no difference in the taste of the food.
- The auger and temperature control system is designed to work together, providing the same precise temperature over the entire smoking area. The temperature is easy to control via the dial, and it helps your food to get cooked evenly on all sides.
- The result you get after using this smoker can be changed by using different pellets. That doesn’t require any effort as the pellets come with a specific flavor like apple, hickory, maple, bourbon, and pecan. You can use one flavor of pellets, or you can combine them to get a wide range of flavors of your smoked food. You can experiment with the flavors until you find the one that fits your personal taste.
- Use the digital display to control the temperature inside of the unit. It’s super easy and simple to master, so you’ll be able to come up with some fantastic tasting recipes in no time at all.
- Make sure you always clean all of the pellets out of the smoker once you’re done. If you leave them inside and it rains, the auger could jam. Fixing it is not easy, but it’s not the only thing you can damage. The body of the smoker can rust and deteriorate so make sure you always keep it under a roof.
The Conclusion
With all things considered, it’s evident that the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX is a great smoker. It comes at an affordable price, and it’s an excellent unit for beginner smokers. It offers all of the necessary features, but it also has some really nice unique features like the ash-cleaning system that makes your life much easier. You will have to take care of this smoker and keep it under a roof somewhere, but with that said, it’s one of the best pellet smokers you can buy on the market today. You can’t go wrong with it.
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Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Wood Pellet Smoker Review
Choosing a smoker can be difficult, especially if you’re new to using smokers. However, one smoker that we can strongly recommend for everyone from beginning smokers to experienced ones is the Camp Chef Smokepro DLX.
This smoker has lots of great benefits, which you’ll quickly find out if you read through various user reviews. We can understand why people rave about this smoker. It has so many awesome features.
One of the Cheapest Smokers on the Market Today
First of all, we have to say that one big reason we love the Camp Chef Smokepro DLX is because of its awesome price tag.
Smokers, in general, are never cheap. However, they typically go for a lot more than the Smokepro.
No matter where you get this smoker, though, you’ll find it’s a great deal for the price. Honestly, this smoker would be worth double what it sells for.
Pros:
- Beast of a smoker, Very well made. Food turns out great. Absolutely love it. Best fathers day gift ever.
- By far the best grill/smoker on the market
- Using this grill is easy. It is also very well constructed and fairly easy to assembleList Element
Cons:
- Ash clean out DOES NOT WORK.
- Good, but not great at this price point
Features a Convenient Ash Removal System
Another thing we really like about the Camp Chef Smokepro DLX is the fact that it’s very easy to keep clean. In fact, the manufacturers really thought of everything for keeping this smoker easy to maintain.
One of the best cleaning features is the ash removal system. When you cook with pellets, which is what this smoker is designed for, ash is generated. With many smokers, all that ash combines with grease and drips down into a drip pan if you’re lucky and deep into the cooker itself if you’re not. You then have to clean this greasy mess.
Fortunately, the Smokepro doesn’t work that way. It features a convenient little door that allows the ash to collect into a small cup, which you can simply empty out. The ash never has time to mix with the grease and meat juices, so you don’t end up with a sticky, gooey mess to clean.
Not only does this great feature make your smoker easier to use and maintain, but it also keeps your smoker from getting clogged and not working properly as a result. It’s nice little considerations like this one that really make the Smokepro stand out as a great smoker.
The Smokepro is Very Easy to Use
We really appreciate the fact that this smoker is very easy to use, even if you’re new to smoking meat. It has lots of features that ensure absolutely anyone can smoke meat to perfection.
There are several clearly-labeled control buttons that allow you to choose exactly how you want your meat smoked. You can also pick your exact temperature with the multiple temperature sensors and the temperature chip.
If you like to be in complete control in the smoking process, but you don’t want so many options that you get overwhelmed, this smoker is the perfect balance. It has just enough features to allow you to customize your meat smoking experience but not so many that you get confused.
Gets Hot Quickly and Then Maintains Its Heat
So many smokers on the market today take forever to get to their desired temperature. This can be frustrating when you’re trying to cook your meat quickly. However, the SmokePro heats up very quickly.
What’s even better is that once it reaches its desired temperature, it stays there. You don’t have to do anything to maintain a constant temperature, so the smoking process is not nearly as frustrating. Plus, your meat cooks evenly and thoroughly since the temperature remains exactly where it should be throughout the cooking process.
Features a Convenient Dial Controller
In addition to its ability to quickly reach the right heat setting and then actually stay there, we really love the nice dial controller featured on the Smokepro.
The dial controller is coupled with an LED readout so that you can see what your current cooking temperature is and the internal meat temperature as well.
The controller does more than just regulate heat too. With it, you can choose from several different settings and features for a better smoking experience. These include:
- Shutdown Mode
- Feed
- High
- High Smoke
- Low Smoke
Of course, you don’t have to use all of these settings if you don’t want to. You can still get a great tasting final product either way. However, if you are more experienced with smoking meat, it’s nice to have these customization options. Plus, if you do grow more experienced in the future- and you’re bound to- thsis smoker will “grow” right along with you.
The Ease of an Automatic Pellet Auger
For many people new to smoking, one of the hardest things is figuring out how many pellets to use and when to put them in. Well, with the Smokepro, you don’t have to worry about any of that.
This smoker actually features a pretty amazing automatic pellet auger. This auger is designed to sense when pellets are needed and to dispense them in perfect amounts at the perfect times. Pretty awesome, right?
The dispenser even knows when no more pellets will be needed and shuts itself down. Obviously, if you’re looking for a smoker that takes all of the hard work out of the smoking process, this is the one for you.
A Stylish and Attractive Smoker with Customization Options
We know that looks shouldn’t really matter when it comes to a smoker. After all, the only thing that’s really important is how well it cooks meat, and this one definitely does the job on that front.
However, this smoker is very stylish and very attractive too. It has a sleek, streamlined design. Also, you can even customize its looks to your liking. There are variations of the Smokepro with a stainless steel lid or with a black lid. If looks are important to you, then check out the two options to see which one you like best.
Either choice should look great sitting on your patio, deck, or porch.
Can Be Customized with a Sear Box
The color of the lid isn’t the only thing that you can customize on this great smoker. If you like to sear meats, you can make that possible too by adding on the optional sear box.
The sear box is actually a small burner that is designed to attach to the right side of the smoker for instant searing. Some sellers already include the sear box with your purchase, while others require you to buy it separately.
Either way, it’s a really great feature, so you should definitely inquire about it if you’re not sure whether or not your purchase comes with the box.
Comes with an Extra Warming Rack
As we touched on earlier, the awesome thing about the Smokepro is that the company really went out of its way to offer every great feature and small extra that can make a big difference.
For example, we really like the fact that the Smokepro comes with an additional warming rack. This offers you another good place and way to cook your food.
It’s a really nice rack too- perfectly sized and spaced to ensure your food cooks as evenly and deliciously as possible.
A Great Grease Management System
Grease is a gross problem that many smoker owners are forced to deal with on a regular basis. However, managing grease is a whole lot easier with the Smokepro than it is with other smokers on the market.
The grease gets collected while you cook and then drains into a bucket. Unlike many other grease management systems that promise big results but ultimately end up dripping everywhere and making a huge mess, this one actually works.
All you have to do is wipe out the bucket. And, since the ashes and grease are directed to separate places, there is no gross, sooty mixture to clean up. You simply drain out the grease, give the bucket a wipe, and you’re good to go.
Features a Pellet Hopper Drain Chute
When you’re all done smoking and you want to get rid of your pellets, it couldn’t be easier. The SmokePro features the “pellet hopper drain chute,” which enables you to get rid of pellets with ease.
You simply use the pull-out knob to open the chute and release the pellets. You can attach a small bucket or bag to the end of the chute if you like. This will enable you to catch the pellets as they fall for easier disposal.
This Smoker is Well-Made, Durable, and Strong
Aside from all of these great features, some of them rather fancy, nothing tops the fact that this smoker is super strong and durable. It may be on the cheaper end of most smokers, but there is nothing cheap about the way it’s made.
You can tell from the sheer bulk and weight of this smoker that it was designed to withstand just about anything. It is heavy, which can make it difficult to move, but we think getting a smoker that will probably last for a lifetime is more than a fair trade off.
16 by 12 Side Shelves for Extra Storage
Most of us need a lot of things nearby when we cook, things like sauces, seasonings, cooking utensils, and the like. Fortunately, the makers of this smoker understand that, which is why they’ve included 16 by 12 side shelves.
These shelves are nice and roomy, providing you with plenty of space to store all of those cooking necessities. The shelves are just another example of how the SmokePro goes out of its way to be the easiest to use and most convenient smoker you’ll find anywhere.
This Smoker Even Comes with a Cookbook
As if the Smokepro didn’t have enough great features and extras included, it even comes complete with a cookbook!
In the cookbook, you’ll find lots of great recipes you can try with your smoker. Even if you aren’t new to using a smoker, you’d be surprised at some of the unique recipes found in this cookbook. It’s a great place to learn how to use a smoker or to learn new and different things you can try with your smoker.
Made Entirely from Quality Materials
We’ve already mentioned how strong and durable the smoker itself is, but even its parts and pieces are also made from the most high quality materials possible.
With this smoker, you’ll enjoy a cooking grate made from rolled steel and then protected with enamel on top. The other components, including the racks, drip pains, and more are made from stainless steel.
Both of these materials are safe and non-toxic for use with and around food. Plus they’re designed to last for long periods of time.
Easy to Assemble- What More Could You Want?
Finally, the Smokepro is even easy to assemble, on top of all of these other great features.
It comes out of its packaging already mostly put together. You simply have to attach the legs, the shelf, and the handles. That’s it.
As you can see, there are all kinds of things to love about the Camp Chef Smokepro DLX. So, the only question that remains is what are you waiting for? This smoker is an awesome option for just about anyone.
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Last Updated on July 6, 2019 by Judith Fertig
Sylvia Damare says
How can I get my Camp Chef Smoke Pro to heat up to 450 in less than 2 hours? Takes almost 3 hours or more to cook hamburgers. Help please
Matt Cartier says
Open up chimney more. Use hickory or oak pellets. They burn hotter