I have a small Traeger tailgate-oriented pellet grill now, and really wanted something larger. I had been leaning toward another Traeger, but saw a Camp Chef DLX on sale for $399.00 after watching your video. It was a no-brainer. My new Camp Chef DLX is assembled (assembly was unbelievably easy and quick) and is on my patio ready to go to war with great food! Thank you again for your excellent video!
Im glad you found use out of this video. Most people think of traeger when it comes to pellet grills but their are better options out their! Im glad you saw the difference between the two! Traeger needs to step up their game if they don't want to continue to lose market share
I had the misfortune of not seeing this vid prior to purchasing the Traeger Pro 22. I did get 10% off the retail price from the Retailer, thank goodness. Next investment will be done with further research. Traeger= 3 out of 5 stars.
Bought a Camp Chef Pro from Amazon based on this video and have ZERO regrets...the thickness of the metals, welds and hinges are all far superior to a Traeger.
I have a traeger pro 22 been using it for about 7-8 months and havent had any issues so far. Ive smoked ribs and brisket and have no problem cooking anything. I think whatever pellet grill you buy it will be as good as you take care of it.
Jonathan Gutierrez I agree with you Jonathan. I have a Traeger pro 22 also that I just got about 3 months ago and it's fabulous. It's not a big deal whatsoever to clean it out. It takes way less than 10 minutes!! You don't even need to vacuum it out, just use a wet paper towel and the ash comes right out. Also, ANYTHING can break down at any time and not work properly. That includes the Camp Chef!! There's nothing on both of these grills that cannot be repaired. They both have brain boxes and operate the same way. So no matter what brand it is, if it goes out it can and will have to be replaced. The Camp Chef can break down just as easily as any other pellet smoker. I'm throwing chicken breasts on my Traeger tonight!!!
Enjoyed your informative review. Sold me on the Camp Chef, so I bought one for my husband for Father's Day. He watched your video so he'd know the difference between Traeger and Camp Chef. Everyone's heard of Traeger, right, but not necessarily Camp Chef. Now he knows the advantages of the Camp Chef. He's pretty happy! Thank you!
I have a traeger Texas. It has a 3 year warranty covering everything. I've had zero problems until this fall, when I noticed it was making a screeching noise when I started it when it was cold outside. I then noticed that some of the powder coat had peeled off when I was installing the grill blanket that I put on for winter use. I contacted traeger customer service, and explained what the situation was. I purchased the grill 3 years ago this Christmas. They determined that the screeching was the auger motor, which was my main concern...figured I could re-paint come spring. They replaced the barrel, lid,, chimney, and auger motor, no questions asked...after I sent photos of the powder coat issues. I have nothing but praise for the grill , the company, and their customer service!
Thats good to hear man but in my opinion, the best customer service is the one you never have to use because their product functions like its suppose to. A lot of people praise their customer service but doesn't it make you wonder why so many people need to contact them in the first place?
I have a campchef smokepro dxl. i looked and looked and looked for over 3 months trying to find a pellet grill in my price range (cheap). I looked at Traeger (too expensive), pit boss (expensive, but more reasonably priced, but read about a lot of problems), camp chef (still seemed expensive), grilla ($$$) on and on.... found a camp chef that literally looked like it was used once and put in the back of the garage (the grate cleaned up and looked brand new, no rust, no smoke buildup). They were asking 75 bucks! i bought that dude without a thought of haggling. I frigging LOVE this campchef!! do not hesitate if you're in the market for a pellet grill! Seriously- like the dude said in the video- there is so much more space in these vs the barrel shaped smokers! My dad has a Traeger, and i kid you not- the campchef is EVERY bit as good as a Traeger!
same here... and it pisses me off seeing all these celebrities or bbq teams only cooking on fucking traegers... they are not the worst but they are way better options and at a lower price like camp chef ! BBQ specialists in my town told me the same thing... traeger are the best at marketing, camp chef are the best for cooking ;)
This is the best product comparison video I've seen on UA-cam for any products! Extremely thorough, fair, well thought out in advance and clear communications. Definately helped me make my decision to buy the Camp Chef. Thanks.
I bought a Camp Chef Pro last weekend. I'm smoking a roast right now. I looked at the Traeger and GM also. The camp chef has so many more items that I actually use. The salesman also had one and explained everything to me. So far all my meat has turned out great with no problems. Camp Chef has it going for them. BTW nice video.
I agree. The camp chef is well thought out and has a lot of features you don't see in this price point. I was surprised at what they had to offer and knew I had to make a video showing others what they can get for their money!
I've been looking at options for my first smoker for a few months now...after watching this I not only know what brand I'm going with, but I know the exact model I'm going with! Thank you for all the info!
I really appreciate your time man made my choice easy. I went with camp chef I mean you can’t beat it for the buck.... Traeger just seems to suck you dry off all the money for all the attachments.... that being said I love my camp chef I watched your video a few times. Keep up the great work cheers from central TX!
So glad you made this video!!! I appreciate the time and effort for the great detail and explanations of everything. Convinced me that Camp Chef has a better product. Stay safe!!!
I am picking up this Camp chef this afternoon for 125. It was the display model so I just dont get the box. After seeing the reviews it is an unbelievable deal. Can't wait to try it out. I really need to get rid of some grills but its a very hard thing to do.
Wish I would have saw this video before I bought the traeger! I’m glad Costco will take the traeger back. You’ve changed my mind, Camp chef is the way to go for sure!
If you buy from QVC, it does come with a front tray, a second shelf, two probes and a cover. It also does have a pellet door for removal. I'm not at all sorry I went with the Traeger. It's absolutely wonderful.
Best Review EVER!! So sad this doesn't have 30K views. ANYBODY buying a Pellet Grill for the first time will find the jackpot here. This guy compares the top two $700 price ranged models.
I spent days researching pellet smokers last summer, this video would of helped. I ended up with the Camp Chef. I liked the controller, but the hopper clean out really tipped the scales. I still vacuum out the interior every 6 -7 cooks, but love being able to empty the hopper fast with every cook. I use a GrillEye to get cook temps on my phone, and the temps it reports are within 10 degrees of the controllers temps. I've had no problems and am very happy with my Camp Chef. (I have added a Smoke Daddy to provide the extra smoke I like, that's missing from Pellet Smokers.)
Im glad your enjoying the grill! I appreciate the kind words and Im glad you still found some use out of the video even though you already purchased one.
Thank you for the great review. After researching for a few days on a pellet smoker, I was leaning toward the camp chef based on reviews, this seals the deal for me.
Thanks, I was looking between the Camp Chef and Z grills and your explanation of the cleanout made the decision easy. I've never owned a pellet grill and had no idea you need to clean it every use.
Per camp chef website: "For quick cleanup between cookouts, you don’t need to do anything too dramatic. In fact, our patented Ash Cleanout system makes it as simple as pulling a knob. Before you fire up the grill each time, just empty the ash into the cup, and you’re good to go. It’s almost too easy. Besides emptying the burn cup, you may want to spot clean between cook sessions as well. This can be as simple as wiping away grease spots or food residue on the lid or side shelf. You should also scrape down the grill grates with a wire grill brush or spatula before you start cooking to avoid a burnt taste on your food. If you take these small steps toward keeping your pellet grill clean, any deeper cleaning you do will be much easier." They recommend more extensive cleaning every 50 hours of cooking.
I had been looking into smokers. All I heard was Traeger this and Trager that. My wife did some research with some expert smokers. She just bought me the Camp Chef Pursuit (portable) for Christmas. All I can say is that it seems that Camp Chef has thought of everything.
I have the Camp Chef SmokePro LUX. It's a useful smoker, and the pellet and ash cleanouts are worth the price of admission! However; the pot size is the same for pretty much all makes and models of pellet grills, and if you're trying to cook a lot of meat (say 32 lbs of pork shoulder) it just can't keep up. You'll use a lot of pellets and it will have a hard time holding temp while 32 lbs of meat are absorbing the heat... which is why I also have a Weber Smokey Mountain. MUCH more efficient when doing big cooks, and with a draft control system, is just as easy (set it and forget it) as the pellet grill.
The seer box is quite an add on. This smoker is being discontinued because CC is advancing with technology and design. They are on sale for $399 at local Dick's or Sportsman's Warehouses. For $600 you can have a high end pellet smoker and gasser all in one. No brainer, I'm sold!
I love my Camp Chef. The BBQ box you show is an okay addition, but I think it's a one trick pony, only good for searing. I think you can get varied use with the Sidekick burner, then add the griddle, sear box, and pizza oven. Informative video. I think we can agree Camp Chef is a superior product. Thanks.
I went ahead and purchased a this Camp Chef and I had a 19-pound turkey in the freezer. It easily fit and I could have fit another one side by side. I would say 25 pounds would be maximum.
This was exceptionally good. I am on the market and each type (including zGrills and Pitboss) has someone complaining about this breaking and that not working after a few months. So it really comes down to feature comparison that you have shown in this video to make the decision.
I happened to stumble on this video by Googling pellet grills and was considering a Traeger, but after watching your video and verifying this with other sources, I will stay with Camp Chef. AND, Scott Leysath from "The Sporting Chef" on the Sportsman Channel uses Camp Chef as one of his sponsors, and I want to support his sponsors as well. BTW, I saw a US Army flag in your video--thanks for your service! I also love the "No Soliciting" sign in front of your door with the "armed doll" next to it--very clever!
Nice review. Very well thought out. I bought a Traeger Pro 22 a couple of months ago and used it 3 times then saw the Camp Chef Woodwind with sear box. Sold the Traeger and ordered the Camp Chef. It arrived yesterday (Friday) but while unpacking it, I noticed it was dented and scratched just above the hopper lid on the side of the grill. I think Camp Chef could pack their parts a little better. I was really excited to use the grill but now I'm waiting to hear from customer service since they are only open Monday through Thursday. I could've used it but when paying that much for a grill, I don't want dents and scratches in it. Thanks for doing this comparison. Wish I would've seen it before I bought the Traeger.
They did. They had FedEx pick up the dented and scratched one and I had a replacement in 4 days. It came with a few minor dings but nothing like the first grill did. Very happy so far with it. Again, thanks for doing a great comparison video.
good job. I use to have a Green Moutain Daniel Boone and was never happy with it. Basically gave it away and went back to my Egg. But I am impressed with the features on this Camp Chef and think I will give pellet cooking another try.
The egg is a great grill! I have one as well but it doesn't get used much because I don't have time to set it up for a cook. The camp chef is a great pellet grill! Camp chef actually released a new one called the Woodwind which is an upgraded version of the one in this video. I have a video of that one on my channel as well in case your interested.
Man before I saw this video I was leaning towards getting a traeger but it's like camp chef did everything better. Thanks for taking the time to make this awesome video.
When it comes to looking for pellet grills, people tend to look at Traeger right away because they market their product like crazy, but if you do your research you can see their are better options. Im glad this video was helpful!
Hey River Rhodes! Im glad you got some value out of the video. You are way too kind but thanks for the complement! I hope that you enjoy whatever grill you decided to get!
Great Job, After this I can see Traegar doesn't compare, Camp Chef appears to have much better features than any of the other pellet smokers I've seen! Thanks for the video!
Nice review. The Traeger pro controller now comes with, or is a replacement for most Traeger models. It's a full PID controller rather than an auger timer and has dual food probes. In rainy or humid conditions even with a grill cover you can get condensation on flat parts of the grill. The Traeger hopper cover extends over the hopper. The Camp Chef hopper door will allow condensation into the hopper. Wet pellets are no fun. Would be nice if Traeger threw in the extra few dollars of grill rack for the 2nd shelf. Of course it costs much more as an add on. Someone purchasing either should enjoy some great cooks.
I had a traeger texas with the pro controller and had issues. Traeger was able to resolve these issues for me with a new controller but when i spoke to them, I asked them if it was a PID controller and they informed me that it wasn't. They said it was an advanced grilling logic controller so its different from a PID. Camp Chefs hopper cover extends over the hopper. they just have a different design. They also have holes along the edge to allow water to drain. I thought camp chefs design was going to be an issue with water getting into the hopper but it hasn't been. I left mine outdoors and it rained a couple times and pellets were fine. But i agree that people will enjoy cooking on these. Pellet grills turn out some great food. Thanks for watching!
So the traeger has a cold smoker attachment that fits this grill and none of their other grills. This model is pretty much only on clearance in 2023 but a cold smoker is incredible for fish and cheese
i love my treager. you don't have to clean your fire pit out after every cook. i haven't cleaned mine out in like a month i and i use mine at least 4-5 times a week
Well according to traeger you should be cleaning it out every 2-3 cooks or before you plan on cooking for longer periods of time. If you start to have issues then you know why haha...
SHARK CITY WARRIOR I couldn't agree with you more!! I've had my Traeger Pro 22 for about 3 months now and I've had no issues whatsoever, and I've been using it a lot! While I still need to learn more on how to use it as far is different foods and temps go, everything has come out great. I made a whole chicken 2 weeks ago and my family raved about it. Super moist and juicy, cooked all way through. It was fantastic. But in all honesty, I really don't think it's a big deal cleaning out the firebox on this Traeger. It really takes no more than 5 minutes to vacuum it out and put it back together. When I vacuum it, I vacuum the whole thing not just the firebox. You can't do that on the Camp Chef. Actually you can take a wet paper towel and clean the ash out of the firebox that way too! So for me, it really doesn't matter. Sure a self clean out would be nice, but not a deal breaker at all. How do you think pro grill guys clean out the ash in their smokers? Vacuum or sweep it out. So it's not really a big deal and it's very easy to clean the Traeger.
Excellent video! Thanks for taking the time. Made my decision easy just based on the different ease of cleanout features. Wish you could get some sort of commission man!
Thanks man! It took a lot of work putting all the information together in the video but I think it really highlights the different features between the two. I love doing research on different products and seeing what I can get for my money. Sometimes the most popular grill on the market isn't always the best in its class.
For one never changed or felt the need to change my pellets. Second if you’d use a Phillips screwdriver and remove the guard in hopper it gives you access to push the pellets out. Third heat still escapes from the grommet on the camp chef.
1. I dont change my pellets either. 2. I did remove the guard but I wanted to keep it on in the video to show how it comes. 3. you are correct but I dont have that much smoke that comes out.
Really good job with the review and comparison. I was thinking Traeger until I saw Camp Chef for less money on Amazon. Your review concluded the issue of deciding - Camp Chef is clearly the winner. They advertise a bundle with the cover and 40 lbs of pellets for about what the Traeger sells by itself - without the Camp Chef advantages! Thanks for your time and effort!
Hey thanks Carl. Im glad you found some use out of it. Is the grill your talking about the DLX or the woodwind? The woodwind grill is an upgraded DLX and I have a video of it on my channel as well. You can always click on the links in the description box to direct you to the Woodwind as well.
tonybuddy123 No problem - I found the same bundle for the same price at my local Home Depot! amazon had outside sellers offering the same item but more money. One guy wanted $1100 for a USED grill!
Agreed! I bought the Camp Chef a couple of months ago as a newbie to smoking. Was tempted by the Traeger then. Well, I just got the Trager as a gift so decided to do a little extra research and see if I wanted to switch them out. NOPE! Fantastic review. Also, nice getting a review from an experienced smoker that didn't work for one of the companies. ;-)
Another great video. Dude, you gotta come back and crush some Camp Chef dlx 24 bbq videos. Your last vid was a year ago? I really enjoy your videos. Take care.
Isn’t the extra cooking space in the Camp Chef due to the second shelf grate? And you’ll still have to vacuum the ash out of the Camp Chef because it gets in more than just the fire box. The Camp Chef is definitely nice and I like the features like the ability to empty the hopper and empty the ash, but I have this exact Traeger model and it works great. I upgraded the controller to the Traeger pro digital controller and it has more bells and whistles and has TWO meat probes. All in all I am happy with it and it’s easy to find lots of Traeger accessories right down the street at Ace Hardware or HomeDepot.
This was a great comparison video with one exception. No mention of the grease bucket and clean-out are for the grease/drippings. I'm just wondering about that since I believe it was Camp Chef that had complaints about the ash getting into that area and causing the oil to pool and gunk-up. Thanks!
What I don't understand, after exploring the world of outdoor cooking, is this aversion manufacturers have to putting FOUR wheels under these things. I ended up going with a Lone Star Grills offset because it has four huge wheels under it so I can move it without having to pick it up while moving it.
Excellent comparison video thanks! Btw I bought the smoke pro xt model and it doesn’t come with a shelf so that’s a bummer but I’m looking for to putting it together and doing my 1s pellet bbq!
Very helpful review/comparison. I am going Camp Chef. The clean out features, extra space, and price made the difference. Oh! The Traeger ads that kept popping up were also helpful in changing my mind to go with Camp Chef. Just saying....
haha.. Traeger goes pretty aggressive with their advertising and thats why they are are so successful but thats part of the reason they cost so much as well. The camp chef is hard to beat. I even picked up the new traeger pro and it still isnt much better. Im working on that video and I should have an updated comparison video out soon.
Absolutely EXCELLENT job of comparison. I really enjoyed it and wish I had known this before I bought my treagar. Still happy with it though, but you brought many enlightining points out that I was unaware of. Again, FANTASTIC job and I appriciate all the time and effort you have put into this video. Very informative!! My next choice in a pellet smoker will definitely be deifferent.......
Thanks for watching. I was in the same boat you were. I only looked at Traeger and didn't give anyone else a second look until I discovered there was better options out there. Traegers marketing is on point though. Ive had a several of their grills throughout the years and they are not bad at all but I would look else where before picking another one up.
FamilymanX3... This review was exactly what I was looking honest side by side not done either manufacturers I've made my decision finally based on your review thanks for doI got it! Keep up the great work!
Great review. I'm starting up my BBQ shortly, I'm in the process of converting a 1946 General Electric Refrigerator into a electric smoker. But I have been looking for a good pellet grill worth its weight and I think I'm leaning towards camp chef. Thanks for the outstanding video.
I love your review! Exceptionally thought through and articulated. I only have one negative comment... please do something to steady your camera work if you do future reviews. I was literally getting motion sickness watching. Sorry, but it was the truth.
No need to apologize. Im well aware of my horrible video skills or lack of haha... I plan on getting a new set up with a gimbal at the end of summer! Its hard to upgrade my current setup when I'm picking up products for the channel. Thanks for watching larry.
Nice review! It's close to that time for me to get a new grill and get rid of Weber gas grill. I'm new to the pellet grill design and just started finding out more about it. Will not consider Camp Chef. Love the door sign and wrist band as well :)
Thanks! traeger has some great marketing but the completion isnt playing around when it comes to their pellet grills. Im glad more people are starting to look past the marketing aspect of it.
UDATE #2: For additional information on the pellet grills or to purchase, please see the provided links in the description. (This helps support the channel) UPDATE: Camp chef has released a new pellet grill that has the same MSRP as the ones in this video and its called the Camp Chef Woodwind. I plan on getting a video up doing an overview of the upgraded features by the end of the month. I just did an unboxing and setup but I am not sure if I will post it since the video quality isn't that great.
Looking to purchase a smoker, would have liked to see a video that included some cooking to see how well the temp is maintained in the cooker? I've noticed in reviews that some complaints involve temperature constancies? I haven't seen the Camp Chef model yet but did notice the quality of the materials with the Traeger, looks pretty durable. Hope to find Camp Chef dealer in my area so I can get a up close look. Thanks for the review!!
Ive cooked on the camp chef pellet grills a lot and its within +/- 3 to 5 degrees of the set temp. As long as it stays within the manufacturers range of +/- 15 degrees then I would chase temps. Thanks for watching and if you have any other questions than please do not hesitate to ask.
Going to have the vac on either one.......need to clean out the ash that gets all over the bottom of the grill......that is a nice option to pull and drop the heat pot......but still need to clean out all the ash that gets all over the inside.
Hey I think you did a really good honest review on both of those smokers I own the camp chef and I love it so much I was just curious so on your grill attachment if you had to buy an additional camp chef cover to go over at or if it will still fit with the grill attachment that would be great if you could answer this thank you
Hey sorry for the late reply. I've been off youtube for a while. its been extremely busy but no your old cover still fits! It you think about it all your doing is replacing the side shelf with an accessory. it takes up the same footprint. thanks for asking that was a good question!
Awesome video. Definitely helped 1000% in making up my mind in what brand to purchase. Your video is now about 3 years old....has your views changed on the two brands over that timeframe or is Camp Chef still the clear cut winner?
Rectec is the best why bcoz it has pretty much all the features of campchef with 304 stainless steel body where campchef is 12 grade stainless steel which is inferior
ive never owned a pellet grill before, thinking about it - it doesn't seem realistic you can REALLY cook food on the entire surface unless your smoking. For regular grilling, without burners coveringg the entire cooking surface area just seem the 5-6inch fire box would have major hot spots and cold spots for flame grilling?
surprisingly there isnt many hot spots on the grill because the deflector plate and grease plate distribute the heat pretty evenly. The only real hotspots are along the edges of the grease pan and that is to be expected.
you don't need to clean out your fire pot every cook. more like every 4-5. And the ash builds up all around the bottom that you have to shop vac out anyways along with clean your drip pan and such. Never showed them in use either. My Traeger works flawlessly and puts out perfect smoke.
This video was showing you the features and differences of them and not a cook off. You should clean your fire pot EVERY TIME or at least EVERY TWO COOKS. By only cleaning it every 4 or 5 cooks you are doing more harm than good. Your ignitor rod will not last as long and that is a proven fact. Every 4 or 5 cooks, you should vacuum out your ash from the belly of the grill. I am glad your traeger works flawlessly, many don't. I have owned 3 different treagers and only one performed well for me.
First of all, if anyone is going to buy the Traeger Lil, they will probably end up buying the pro series since it has everything the Camp Chef does. I had the chance to buy Texas Elite 34 for a cheaper price but Instead I waited for the Pro series 34 instead and I’m glad I did because they upgraded the electronics and also changed the leg system which is way better than those skinny little legs they had on the other one.
Thanks for your comment Mark. To be honest, I believe that it comes down to the all mighty dollar. Some people may not have the money to upgrade to the pro series since the MSRP is 100 dollars more than the traeger lil tex elite. For me, the legs don't really make a difference because its a home unit and I'm not loading it up to take to bbq competitions.
I really appreciate the time that you took to make this video. I was in doubt, but now I'm going for a Camp Chef all the way
I have a small Traeger tailgate-oriented pellet grill now, and really wanted something larger. I had been leaning toward another Traeger, but saw a Camp Chef DLX on sale for $399.00 after watching your video. It was a no-brainer. My new Camp Chef DLX is assembled (assembly was unbelievably easy and quick) and is on my patio ready to go to war with great food! Thank you again for your excellent video!
As a novice looking for their first grill, you changed my mind. I was set on getting a Trager.
Im glad you found use out of this video. Most people think of traeger when it comes to pellet grills but their are better options out their! Im glad you saw the difference between the two! Traeger needs to step up their game if they don't want to continue to lose market share
I had the misfortune of not seeing this vid prior to purchasing the Traeger Pro 22. I did get 10% off the retail price from the Retailer, thank goodness. Next investment will be done with further research. Traeger= 3 out of 5 stars.
I’m in the exact same boat and have to agree
Thanks! I was extremely close to pulling the trigger on a Traeger until this. The Camp Chef is now out on the deck and ready to go!
That’s awesome. I hope your enjoying it!
Thanks for taking the time to do this video. The no soliciting sign is priceless.
Bought a Camp Chef Pro from Amazon based on this video and have ZERO regrets...the thickness of the metals, welds and hinges are all far superior to a Traeger.
I have a traeger pro 22 been using it for about 7-8 months and havent had any issues so far. Ive smoked ribs and brisket and have no problem cooking anything. I think whatever pellet grill you buy it will be as good as you take care of it.
I totally agree with your statement man but I've had treagers in the past where they worked awesome and others not so much.
Jonathan Gutierrez I agree with you Jonathan. I have a Traeger pro 22 also that I just got about 3 months ago and it's fabulous. It's not a big deal whatsoever to clean it out. It takes way less than 10 minutes!! You don't even need to vacuum it out, just use a wet paper towel and the ash comes right out.
Also, ANYTHING can break down at any time and not work properly. That includes the Camp Chef!! There's nothing on both of these grills that cannot be repaired. They both have brain boxes and operate the same way. So no matter what brand it is, if it goes out it can and will have to be replaced. The Camp Chef can break down just as easily as any other pellet smoker.
I'm throwing chicken breasts on my Traeger tonight!!!
Jonathan Gutierrez .....and yes, just like anything else if you take care of it, it'll last a long time. No doubt about that.
To me.. what's a game changer is the clean up. That is amazing
Great breakdown of the two grills. I already bought the Camp Chef, but this really helped me reaffirm my decision. Thanks!
Your welcome! im glad you enjoy it!
Enjoyed your informative review. Sold me on the Camp Chef, so I bought one for my husband for Father's Day. He watched your video so he'd know the difference between Traeger and Camp Chef. Everyone's heard of Traeger, right, but not necessarily Camp Chef. Now he knows the advantages of the Camp Chef. He's pretty happy! Thank you!
I have a traeger Texas. It has a 3 year warranty covering everything. I've had zero problems until this fall, when I noticed it was making a screeching noise when I started it when it was cold outside. I then noticed that some of the powder coat had peeled off when I was installing the grill blanket that I put on for winter use. I contacted traeger customer service, and explained what the situation was. I purchased the grill 3 years ago this Christmas. They determined that the screeching was the auger motor, which was my main concern...figured I could re-paint come spring. They replaced the barrel, lid,, chimney, and auger motor, no questions asked...after I sent photos of the powder coat issues. I have nothing but praise for the grill , the company, and their customer service!
Thats good to hear man but in my opinion, the best customer service is the one you never have to use because their product functions like its suppose to. A lot of people praise their customer service but doesn't it make you wonder why so many people need to contact them in the first place?
I have a campchef smokepro dxl. i looked and looked and looked for over 3 months trying to find a pellet grill in my price range (cheap). I looked at Traeger (too expensive), pit boss (expensive, but more reasonably priced, but read about a lot of problems), camp chef (still seemed expensive), grilla ($$$) on and on....
found a camp chef that literally looked like it was used once and put in the back of the garage (the grate cleaned up and looked brand new, no rust, no smoke buildup). They were asking 75 bucks! i bought that dude without a thought of haggling.
I frigging LOVE this campchef!! do not hesitate if you're in the market for a pellet grill! Seriously- like the dude said in the video- there is so much more space in these vs the barrel shaped smokers! My dad has a Traeger, and i kid you not- the campchef is EVERY bit as good as a Traeger!
After watching this, why the hell would anyone buy a Traeger? So glad I bought my Camp Chef
Thats what Im saying! There are way better options out there.
I own a small Traeger, and it is awesome, but I want a slightly larger grill. I am seriously considering the Camp Chef.
same here... and it pisses me off seeing all these celebrities or bbq teams only cooking on fucking traegers... they are not the worst but they are way better options and at a lower price like camp chef ! BBQ specialists in my town told me the same thing... traeger are the best at marketing, camp chef are the best for cooking ;)
i bought camp chef yesterday < SO glad i did : )
I have to agree. It's like the Camp Chef was designed by former Traeger owners.
This is the best product comparison video I've seen on UA-cam for any products! Extremely thorough, fair, well thought out in advance and clear communications. Definately helped me make my decision to buy the Camp Chef. Thanks.
Thanks for the kind words. This video was fun to make and love seeing how far your money goes esp these days.
I just bought the Camp Chef model for $399.00. I also have the Camp Chef 36" cast iron flat top griddle, love them both!
I bought a Camp Chef Pro last weekend. I'm smoking a roast right now. I looked at the Traeger and GM also. The camp chef has so many more items that I actually use. The salesman also had one and explained everything to me. So far all my meat has turned out great with no problems. Camp Chef has it going for them. BTW nice video.
I agree. The camp chef is well thought out and has a lot of features you don't see in this price point. I was surprised at what they had to offer and knew I had to make a video showing others what they can get for their money!
I've been looking at options for my first smoker for a few months now...after watching this I not only know what brand I'm going with, but I know the exact model I'm going with! Thank you for all the info!
I really appreciate your time man made my choice easy. I went with camp chef I mean you can’t beat it for the buck.... Traeger just seems to suck you dry off all the money for all the attachments.... that being said I love my camp chef I watched your video a few times. Keep up the great work cheers from central TX!
Thanks for the great video. Also, I wanted to give you a quick heads up. Spoke to Camp Chef today (6/29/17) and was told the warranty is now 3 years!
thanks man! but thats good to hear!. Im glad they updated it because it was kind of a hassle.
So glad you made this video!!! I appreciate the time and effort for the great detail and explanations of everything. Convinced me that Camp Chef has a better product. Stay safe!!!
I am picking up this Camp chef this afternoon for 125. It was the display model so I just dont get the box. After seeing the reviews it is an unbelievable deal. Can't wait to try it out. I really need to get rid of some grills but its a very hard thing to do.
Wish I would have saw this video before I bought the traeger! I’m glad Costco will take the traeger back. You’ve changed my mind, Camp chef is the way to go for sure!
Got to love Costcos return policy!
My Camp Chef is on the way! Watching your video made me very happy that I made a good decision. Thanks!
I have the Traeger and cleaning the smoke
box is so easy, it has a blower that works with the cleanout mode on the dial.
Are you taking about shut down mode? thats only to keep the fan running to burn out what ever pellets are left in the fire pot. Thats not a clean out.
Thank you for this review. Because of this I got the Smoke Pro DLX and Sear Box. I couldn't be happier with it!
Im glad your enjoying your grill. the DLX is a workhorse for sure!
If you buy from QVC, it does come with a front tray, a second shelf, two probes and a cover. It also does have a pellet door for removal. I'm not at all sorry I went with the Traeger. It's absolutely wonderful.
Best Review EVER!! So sad this doesn't have 30K views. ANYBODY buying a Pellet Grill for the first time will find the jackpot here. This guy compares the top two $700 price ranged models.
Thank you for your kind words. When spending this kind of money its nice to see how far you can make your dollar stretch.
I spent days researching pellet smokers last summer, this video would of helped. I ended up with the Camp Chef. I liked the controller, but the hopper clean out really tipped the scales. I still vacuum out the interior every 6 -7 cooks, but love being able to empty the hopper fast with every cook. I use a GrillEye to get cook temps on my phone, and the temps it reports are within 10
degrees of the controllers temps. I've had no problems and am very happy with my Camp Chef. (I have added a Smoke Daddy to provide the extra smoke I like, that's missing from Pellet Smokers.)
Im glad your enjoying the grill! I appreciate the kind words and Im glad you still found some use out of the video even though you already purchased one.
Thank you for the great review. After researching for a few days on a pellet smoker, I was leaning toward the camp chef based on reviews, this seals the deal for me.
Your welcome. thanks for watching.
Thanks, I was looking between the Camp Chef and Z grills and your explanation of the cleanout made the decision easy. I've never owned a pellet grill and had no idea you need to clean it every use.
Per camp chef website: "For quick cleanup between cookouts, you don’t need to do anything too dramatic. In fact, our patented Ash Cleanout system makes it as simple as pulling a knob. Before you fire up the grill each time, just empty the ash into the cup, and you’re good to go. It’s almost too easy. Besides emptying the burn cup, you may want to spot clean between cook sessions as well. This can be as simple as wiping away grease spots or food residue on the lid or side shelf. You should also scrape down the grill grates with a wire grill brush or spatula before you start cooking to avoid a burnt taste on your food. If you take these small steps toward keeping your pellet grill clean, any deeper cleaning you do will be much easier."
They recommend more extensive cleaning every 50 hours of cooking.
EXCELLENT review comparison - REALLY appreciate your time doing this
I had been looking into smokers. All I heard was Traeger this and Trager that. My wife did some research with some expert smokers. She just bought me the Camp Chef Pursuit (portable) for Christmas. All I can say is that it seems that Camp Chef has thought of everything.
I have the Camp Chef SmokePro LUX. It's a useful smoker, and the pellet and ash cleanouts are worth the price of admission! However; the pot size is the same for pretty much all makes and models of pellet grills, and if you're trying to cook a lot of meat (say 32 lbs of pork shoulder) it just can't keep up. You'll use a lot of pellets and it will have a hard time holding temp while 32 lbs of meat are absorbing the heat... which is why I also have a Weber Smokey Mountain. MUCH more efficient when doing big cooks, and with a draft control system, is just as easy (set it and forget it) as the pellet grill.
The seer box is quite an add on. This smoker is being discontinued because CC is advancing with technology and design. They are on sale for $399 at local Dick's or Sportsman's Warehouses. For $600 you can have a high end pellet smoker and gasser all in one. No brainer, I'm sold!
I love my Camp Chef. The BBQ box you show is an okay addition, but I think it's a one trick pony, only good for searing. I think you can get varied use with the Sidekick burner, then add the griddle, sear box, and pizza oven. Informative video. I think we can agree Camp Chef is a superior product. Thanks.
I went ahead and purchased a this Camp Chef and I had a 19-pound turkey in the freezer. It easily fit and I could have fit another one side by side. I would say 25 pounds would be maximum.
Thanks for the info. Thats good to know for sure just in case someone asks again.
This was exceptionally good. I am on the market and each type (including zGrills and Pitboss) has someone complaining about this breaking and that not working after a few months. So it really comes down to feature comparison that you have shown in this video to make the decision.
thanks for the wonderful comparison! I have been looking into buying a smoker, I think I know Camp Chef is the right way to go!
thanks for watching and im glad you found the video helpful.
I happened to stumble on this video by Googling pellet grills and was considering a Traeger, but after watching your video and verifying this with other sources, I will stay with Camp Chef. AND, Scott Leysath from "The Sporting Chef" on the Sportsman Channel uses Camp Chef as one of his sponsors, and I want to support his sponsors as well.
BTW, I saw a US Army flag in your video--thanks for your service! I also love the "No Soliciting" sign in front of your door with the "armed doll" next to it--very clever!
Nice review. Very well thought out. I bought a Traeger Pro 22 a couple of months ago and used it 3 times then saw the Camp Chef Woodwind with sear box. Sold the Traeger and ordered the Camp Chef. It arrived yesterday (Friday) but while unpacking it, I noticed it was dented and scratched just above the hopper lid on the side of the grill. I think Camp Chef could pack their parts a little better. I was really excited to use the grill but now I'm waiting to hear from customer service since they are only open Monday through Thursday. I could've used it but when paying that much for a grill, I don't want dents and scratches in it. Thanks for doing this comparison. Wish I would've seen it before I bought the Traeger.
I hope you got this taken care of! I don't blame you for wanting a grill without any defects! Im sure camp chef will make it right!
They did. They had FedEx pick up the dented and scratched one and I had a replacement in 4 days. It came with a few minor dings but nothing like the first grill did. Very happy so far with it. Again, thanks for doing a great comparison video.
good job. I use to have a Green Moutain Daniel Boone and was never happy with it. Basically gave it away and went back to my Egg. But I am impressed with the features on this Camp Chef and think I will give pellet cooking another try.
The egg is a great grill! I have one as well but it doesn't get used much because I don't have time to set it up for a cook. The camp chef is a great pellet grill! Camp chef actually released a new one called the Woodwind which is an upgraded version of the one in this video. I have a video of that one on my channel as well in case your interested.
Man before I saw this video I was leaning towards getting a traeger but it's like camp chef did everything better. Thanks for taking the time to make this awesome video.
When it comes to looking for pellet grills, people tend to look at Traeger right away because they market their product like crazy, but if you do your research you can see their are better options. Im glad this video was helpful!
we have that same sign by our front door....people still try and sell me stuff. Good review too, thanks
This has been the BEST informational video I've seen. I know exactly which pellet smoker I'm getting now. Thank you
Hey River Rhodes! Im glad you got some value out of the video. You are way too kind but thanks for the complement! I hope that you enjoy whatever grill you decided to get!
Great Job, After this I can see Traegar doesn't compare, Camp Chef appears to have much better features than any of the other pellet smokers I've seen! Thanks for the video!
I agree, you won't find all these features in another pellet grill in this price point.
Nice review. The Traeger pro controller now comes with, or is a replacement for most Traeger models. It's a full PID controller rather than an auger timer and has dual food probes. In rainy or humid conditions even with a grill cover you can get condensation on flat parts of the grill. The Traeger hopper cover extends over the hopper. The Camp Chef hopper door will allow condensation into the hopper. Wet pellets are no fun. Would be nice if Traeger threw in the extra few dollars of grill rack for the 2nd shelf. Of course it costs much more as an add on. Someone purchasing either should enjoy some great cooks.
I had a traeger texas with the pro controller and had issues. Traeger was able to resolve these issues for me with a new controller but when i spoke to them, I asked them if it was a PID controller and they informed me that it wasn't. They said it was an advanced grilling logic controller so its different from a PID. Camp Chefs hopper cover extends over the hopper. they just have a different design. They also have holes along the edge to allow water to drain. I thought camp chefs design was going to be an issue with water getting into the hopper but it hasn't been. I left mine outdoors and it rained a couple times and pellets were fine. But i agree that people will enjoy cooking on these. Pellet grills turn out some great food. Thanks for watching!
So the traeger has a cold smoker attachment that fits this grill and none of their other grills. This model is pretty much only on clearance in 2023 but a cold smoker is incredible for fish and cheese
i love my treager.
you don't have to clean your fire pit out after every cook. i haven't cleaned mine out in like a month i and i use mine at least 4-5 times a week
Well according to traeger you should be cleaning it out every 2-3 cooks or before you plan on cooking for longer periods of time. If you start to have issues then you know why haha...
had mine for 4 years, cook on the regular. clean out the box 1-2 times a year. still NO issues.
SHARK CITY WARRIOR I couldn't agree with you more!! I've had my Traeger Pro 22 for about 3 months now and I've had no issues whatsoever, and I've been using it a lot! While I still need to learn more on how to use it as far is different foods and temps go, everything has come out great. I made a whole chicken 2 weeks ago and my family raved about it. Super moist and juicy, cooked all way through. It was fantastic.
But in all honesty, I really don't think it's a big deal cleaning out the firebox on this Traeger. It really takes no more than 5 minutes to vacuum it out and put it back together. When I vacuum it, I vacuum the whole thing not just the firebox. You can't do that on the Camp Chef. Actually you can take a wet paper towel and clean the ash out of the firebox that way too! So for me, it really doesn't matter. Sure a self clean out would be nice, but not a deal breaker at all. How do you think pro grill guys clean out the ash in their smokers? Vacuum or sweep it out. So it's not really a big deal and it's very easy to clean the Traeger.
SHARK CITY WARRIOR Cool, how about the 5 other ways the Traeger is worse than the Canp Chef?
The new Traeger Pro has the wifi option which I like. Too bad the woodwind hasn’t kept pace cause I like the idea of the searbox
Bruce Wiebe WiFi now available on camp chef...
I just ordered a Camp Chef SmokePro DLX pellet grill today over a Traeger, this video makes me more happy about my decision...
Im glad! I hope your enjoying your new pellet grill!
Excellent video! Thanks for taking the time. Made my decision easy just based on the different ease of cleanout features. Wish you could get some sort of commission man!
Thanks man! It took a lot of work putting all the information together in the video but I think it really highlights the different features between the two. I love doing research on different products and seeing what I can get for my money. Sometimes the most popular grill on the market isn't always the best in its class.
For one never changed or felt the need to change my pellets. Second if you’d use a Phillips screwdriver and remove the guard in hopper it gives you access to push the pellets out. Third heat still escapes from the grommet on the camp chef.
1. I dont change my pellets either. 2. I did remove the guard but I wanted to keep it on in the video to show how it comes. 3. you are correct but I dont have that much smoke that comes out.
Really good job with the review and comparison. I was thinking Traeger until I saw Camp Chef for less money on Amazon. Your review concluded the issue of deciding - Camp Chef is clearly the winner. They advertise a bundle with the cover and 40 lbs of pellets for about what the Traeger sells by itself - without the Camp Chef advantages! Thanks for your time and effort!
Hey thanks Carl. Im glad you found some use out of it. Is the grill your talking about the DLX or the woodwind? The woodwind grill is an upgraded DLX and I have a video of it on my channel as well. You can always click on the links in the description box to direct you to the Woodwind as well.
Amazon shows it as PG24 Deluxe but now they say it's not available!
Oh thats weird. I wonder why they would do that. Maybe they sold all the ones they had to blow them out.
tonybuddy123 No problem - I found the same bundle for the same price at my local Home Depot! amazon had outside sellers offering the same item but more money. One guy wanted $1100 for a USED grill!
Absolutely one of the best reviews of a product ever. Great job my friend.....
Thank you for your kind words
Agreed! I bought the Camp Chef a couple of months ago as a newbie to smoking. Was tempted by the Traeger then. Well, I just got the Trager as a gift so decided to do a little extra research and see if I wanted to switch them out. NOPE! Fantastic review. Also, nice getting a review from an experienced smoker that didn't work for one of the companies. ;-)
Traegers are what Chrysler is in the car world.
Built with the cheapest parts and hope you get a year out of it.
Really good comparison and review I got to tell you man. I’ll give you a thumbs up. Well done man.
Thank you!!! Extremely useful demo. Pretty sure you sold me on the Camp Chef DLX.
Another great video. Dude, you gotta come back and crush some Camp Chef dlx 24 bbq videos. Your last vid was a year ago? I really enjoy your videos. Take care.
1:53 nice smoker and all ....BUT WHERE CAN I BUY THIS SIGN BY YOUR DOOR?????? LOL
haha.. My sister actually made it for me! It helps most of the time! I think she's going to be making them a few and selling them online!
Etsy
lmao. i was thinking the same thing
I agree with MsScorpio67, the video was very informative. Thank you for taking the time to make.
Your welcome Kelly. Im glad you found some use out of it
Isn’t the extra cooking space in the Camp Chef due to the second shelf grate? And you’ll still have to vacuum the ash out of the Camp Chef because it gets in more than just the fire box. The Camp Chef is definitely nice and I like the features like the ability to empty the hopper and empty the ash, but I have this exact Traeger model and it works great. I upgraded the controller to the Traeger pro digital controller and it has more bells and whistles and has TWO meat probes. All in all I am happy with it and it’s easy to find lots of Traeger accessories right down the street at Ace Hardware or HomeDepot.
This was a dam good video. Good stuff man very very informative. I got a camp chef for a gift and im so so glad it has the features it does.
This was a great comparison video with one exception. No mention of the grease bucket and clean-out are for the grease/drippings. I'm just wondering about that since I believe it was Camp Chef that had complaints about the ash getting into that area and causing the oil to pool and gunk-up. Thanks!
Very nicely done! This helped me make my decision. The optional propane sear box is a perfect add on.
I agree. that sear box is so handy! Having that attachment eliminates the need for a gas grill.
What I don't understand, after exploring the world of outdoor cooking, is this aversion manufacturers have to putting FOUR wheels under these things. I ended up going with a Lone Star Grills offset because it has four huge wheels under it so I can move it without having to pick it up while moving it.
The Traegers do have a front folding shelf. Folds down to acommodate the cover.
you are correct on that one.
Excellent comparison video thanks! Btw I bought the smoke pro xt model and it doesn’t come with a shelf so that’s a bummer but I’m looking for to putting it together and doing my 1s pellet bbq!
Very helpful review/comparison. I am going Camp Chef. The clean out features, extra space, and price made the difference. Oh! The Traeger ads that kept popping up were also helpful in changing my mind to go with Camp Chef. Just saying....
haha.. Traeger goes pretty aggressive with their advertising and thats why they are are so successful but thats part of the reason they cost so much as well. The camp chef is hard to beat. I even picked up the new traeger pro and it still isnt much better. Im working on that video and I should have an updated comparison video out soon.
Camp chef it is...Thanks for the great comparison video Tony.
My Camp Chef SmokePro DLX that I just purchased has a 3 year warranty at no extra cost. It’s advertised right on the box.
yes you are correct. They ended up changing that a little bit after I made this video.
Absolutely EXCELLENT job of comparison. I really enjoyed it and wish I had known this before I bought my treagar. Still happy with it though, but you brought many enlightining points out that I was unaware of. Again, FANTASTIC job and I appriciate all the time and effort you have put into this video. Very informative!! My next choice in a pellet smoker will definitely be deifferent.......
Thanks for watching. I was in the same boat you were. I only looked at Traeger and didn't give anyone else a second look until I discovered there was better options out there. Traegers marketing is on point though. Ive had a several of their grills throughout the years and they are not bad at all but I would look else where before picking another one up.
Made my decision easy... Looks like I'll be going with the Camp Chef. Thanks!
Im glad you found this video useful!
This was a helpful review! Thanks for taking the time to point out these major differences.
Thanks for watching!
Awesome video showing in detail the differences.
thanks man. Glad it was helpful
Excellent video! I appreciate this information so much. I think you should also do a video on how the food comes out on the camp chef.
FamilymanX3... This review was exactly what I was looking honest side by side not done either manufacturers I've made my decision finally based on your review thanks for doI got it! Keep up the great work!
Im glad you found it helpful. its one thing to say one is better than the other and another to show it in a video. Thanks for commenting
Great job! Your comparison was very informative.
Thanks for your great review and time spent going over the finer details.
Mac
your welcome. I'm glad you got some use out of it.
I like the Camp Chef Pellet Grill DLX 24 better and it is more extensive
Great review. I'm starting up my BBQ shortly, I'm in the process of converting a 1946 General Electric Refrigerator into a electric smoker. But I have been looking for a good pellet grill worth its weight and I think I'm leaning towards camp chef. Thanks for the outstanding video.
Those Refrigerator converts look pretty sweet when they are all done! You can't beat the space they provide. Thanks for watching.
Camp Chef customer service has gone down the tubes in the past few years. I'll never buy another Camp Chef product.
just pulled the trigger on the camp chef. great video!
Thats awesome! I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for the info I'm looking for my 1st pellet smoker🙏🏾🙏🏾
I love your review! Exceptionally thought through and articulated. I only have one negative comment... please do something to steady your camera work if you do future reviews. I was literally getting motion sickness watching. Sorry, but it was the truth.
No need to apologize. Im well aware of my horrible video skills or lack of haha... I plan on getting a new set up with a gimbal at the end of summer! Its hard to upgrade my current setup when I'm picking up products for the channel. Thanks for watching larry.
I look forward to seeing more! You convinced me to go for a pellet grill, now it's just convincing the boss that the cost is worth while!
Nice review! It's close to that time for me to get a new grill and get rid of Weber gas grill. I'm new to the pellet grill design and just started finding out more about it. Will not consider Camp Chef. Love the door sign and wrist band as well :)
haha thanks! pellet grills are awesome!
Great video! Considering a pellet smoker, definitely not a traeger now!
Thanks! traeger has some great marketing but the completion isnt playing around when it comes to their pellet grills. Im glad more people are starting to look past the marketing aspect of it.
UDATE #2: For additional information on the pellet grills or to purchase, please see the provided links in the description. (This helps support the channel)
UPDATE: Camp chef has released a new pellet grill that has the same MSRP as the ones in this video and its called the Camp Chef Woodwind. I plan on getting a video up doing an overview of the upgraded features by the end of the month. I just did an unboxing and setup but I am not sure if I will post it since the video quality isn't that great.
I'll be waiting!!!
I have the video posted up already in case you want to see it!
Looking to purchase a smoker, would have liked to see a video that included some cooking to see how well the temp is maintained in the cooker? I've noticed in reviews that some complaints involve temperature constancies? I haven't seen the Camp Chef model yet but did notice the quality of the materials with the Traeger, looks pretty durable. Hope to find Camp Chef dealer in my area so I can get a up close look. Thanks for the review!!
Ive cooked on the camp chef pellet grills a lot and its within +/- 3 to 5 degrees of the set temp. As long as it stays within the manufacturers range of +/- 15 degrees then I would chase temps. Thanks for watching and if you have any other questions than please do not hesitate to ask.
that's BS the camp chef temp swings all over the place
Going to have the vac on either one.......need to clean out the ash that gets all over the bottom of the grill......that is a nice option to pull and drop the heat pot......but still need to clean out all the ash that gets all over the inside.
You are correct but at least you dont need to take out all of that stuff to empty the fire pot!
Hey I think you did a really good honest review on both of those smokers I own the camp chef and I love it so much I was just curious so on your grill attachment if you had to buy an additional camp chef cover to go over at or if it will still fit with the grill attachment that would be great if you could answer this thank you
Hey sorry for the late reply. I've been off youtube for a while. its been extremely busy but no your old cover still fits! It you think about it all your doing is replacing the side shelf with an accessory. it takes up the same footprint. thanks for asking that was a good question!
Awesome video. Definitely helped 1000% in making up my mind in what brand to purchase. Your video is now about 3 years old....has your views changed on the two brands over that timeframe or is Camp Chef still the clear cut winner?
I've been researching still for about 6 months now. I'm torn between camp chef and rec tec and put boss
did you finally decided?!?
Rectec is the best why bcoz it has pretty much all the features of campchef with 304 stainless steel body where campchef is 12 grade stainless steel which is inferior
Recteq if you can afford it. Very nice grills. The camp chef is great for the price
ive never owned a pellet grill before, thinking about it - it doesn't seem realistic you can REALLY cook food on the entire surface unless your smoking. For regular grilling, without burners coveringg the entire cooking surface area just seem the 5-6inch fire box would have major hot spots and cold spots for flame grilling?
surprisingly there isnt many hot spots on the grill because the deflector plate and grease plate distribute the heat pretty evenly. The only real hotspots are along the edges of the grease pan and that is to be expected.
Camp Chef warranty for pellets grills is now 3 years from purchase date.
Yes you are correct. They decided to change this a little bit after I made this video
great review. appreciate the time you took to do this
The size difference is because camp chef includes the top shelf and is counted in the cooking area.
You are correct and I mentioned that in the video
you don't need to clean out your fire pot every cook. more like every 4-5. And the ash builds up all around the bottom that you have to shop vac out anyways along with clean your drip pan and such. Never showed them in use either. My Traeger works flawlessly and puts out perfect smoke.
This video was showing you the features and differences of them and not a cook off. You should clean your fire pot EVERY TIME or at least EVERY TWO COOKS. By only cleaning it every 4 or 5 cooks you are doing more harm than good. Your ignitor rod will not last as long and that is a proven fact. Every 4 or 5 cooks, you should vacuum out your ash from the belly of the grill. I am glad your traeger works flawlessly, many don't. I have owned 3 different treagers and only one performed well for me.
The little higher is the difference in interior cooking space.
Excellent review!! Thanks for sharing!!
First of all, if anyone is going to buy the Traeger Lil, they will probably end up buying the pro series since it has everything the Camp Chef does. I had the chance to buy Texas Elite 34 for a cheaper price but Instead I waited for the Pro series 34 instead and I’m glad I did because they upgraded the electronics and also changed the leg system which is way better than those skinny little legs they had on the other one.
Thanks for your comment Mark. To be honest, I believe that it comes down to the all mighty dollar. Some people may not have the money to upgrade to the pro series since the MSRP is 100 dollars more than the traeger lil tex elite. For me, the legs don't really make a difference because its a home unit and I'm not loading it up to take to bbq competitions.