Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill Review And Rating – An Affordable Mid-Size Entry Level Pellet Grill

The pros, the cons, and the facts about the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill.

In keeping with the brand’s tradition for excellence and problem-solving, the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill solves issues that grill masters are just forced to contend with when they cook on other grills.  The reason the SmokePro deserves full props is because of its commitment to solving problems.  It’s all about convenience.  That’s a trait in all Camp Chef wood pellet grills, but this one’s still a stand-out.

You’re not just kind of braising or just sort of grilling with the SmokePro.  This grill handles all of these cooking methods well.  It’s more than just a dependable choice; it’s a smart one—all the way down to the temperature control.

Product Quick Facts

Product Name: Camp Chef SmokePro PG24DLX Pellet Grill

Made By: Camp Chef

Top 3 Features:

• Smart digital temperature control
• Easy ash clean out
• Effortless start up

Benefits Of The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill

I can’t think of many ways that the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24 isn’t beneficial.  It does what it says but then goes far above its pay grade.  No doubt many of you are fans of getting more than you pay for, no matter what it is you buy.  That’s the primary reason the SmokePro gets my vote.

Some additional benefits to consider are…

Easy Clean Up So You Can Focus On Your Grilling

One of its biggest advantages is its clean-up factor.  I love cooking on pellet grills, but to many of them make it harder than it should be to clean up the mess.  Too few consider everything that comes after the cook.  In the real world, we don’t have that luxury.  Someone has to deal with the ashes, the extra pellets, and the grease drippings.

On the subject of ash, Camp Chef has patented a badass Ash Cleanout system that eliminates the need to vacuum or scoop out the ashes.  Instead, you just pull on a lever that allows them to fall straight out of the firebox for easy disposal.

Cleaning out the drip pan is just as easy.  Just opposite the drain chute for the pellets, you’ll find a drain for grease, as well.  Disposing of it is a breeze, and for once, it’s not messy.

Easily Switch Between Wood Pellet Flavors

Have you ever dealt with the frustration of having a bunch of hickory pellets left in the hopper and you just want to smoke with cherry wood?  As with the ashes, you can scoop out the access, but it’s tedious, difficult to get to them and an unnecessary hassle.  This is yet another problem that the Camp Chef SmokePro Deluxe handles with ease.

You’ll notice a little trap door on the bottom of the hopper.  After sliding a bucket, bowl, or bag beneath that trap door, open it up and out come your pellets.  This is also an easy way to get rid of the leftovers to keep them fresh or before storing your grill for the season.

I’m down for any grill that cuts down on mess and clean-up.  It’s hard to believe that more brands haven’t taken steps to solve the problems of ash build-up and extra pellets.  Thank the grill gods for Camp Chef, huh?

Using The Camp Chef Pro DLX

All you need to know about using the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is right there on the front.  The dual probe controller is designed in the Ortech style.  Set the temperature or the smoke level by turning the knob—we’ll talk about that more in a minute—and make sure the hopper is full.  You have the option to insert the steel temperature probe into your meat.  It’s included, by the way, which is pretty nifty.  The push-button start system is as simple as … well, the press of a button.

Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24 Description And Features

Any grill that’s chock full of useful features is a great deal.  That describes the Camp Chef DLX pellet grill quite nicely.  The way it makes grilling easier without sacrificing flavor or quality is enough to speak in its favor, but I don’t need to convince you myself.

Digital Temperature Control

Okay, let’s talk more about the controller.  You have a temperature range of 160 degrees to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, although this Camp Chef wood pellet grill is known to get up to 550 degrees when it really gets going.  In addition to choosing a set temperature, you can also choose the Feed, Shutdown, or High setting.

The temperatures are fairly even, as well.  That is, the interior should remain balanced within +/- 15-20 degrees with the actual temperature setting.  You can use the probe that’s included with the grill to keep an eye on the numbers, especially when you’re just getting to know the SmokePro.

Smoking Options

The Hi Smoke and Lo Smoke settings, however, those are interesting.  Low Smoke reaches around 175 degrees Fahrenheit, while Hi Smoke hits around 210 degrees.  They’re different from their corresponding temperature settings because the auger times itself to create a smolder instead of a burn, which then creates more smoke.  If you want a little, opt for Lo.  For a lot, hit it Hi.

Easy Clean Up

I can’t praise the cleaning options on the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill more enthusiastically.  Just the ability to empty the drip pan without making a mess is a bonus.  The ash clean out system and the ability to remove extra pellets from the hopper are extra stand-outs.  Once you have access to them, you won’t want to even look at another grill that lacks them.

18 lb Hopper Capacity

18 lbs is certainly not the largest hopper capacity you can find in the industry, unfortunately, but it’s far from horrible.  This should still get you through a long, low and slow smoking session but’s it’s best to keep an eye on your pellet level during the second half of your cook just in case.

Dual LED Temperature Readouts So You Know Exactly Where You Stand

The SmokePro DLX features a smart digital temperature control system with built in meat probe.  The dual LED readout on the front of the grill shows you the current internal cooking temperature of the unit and the current internal food temperature.  This is incredibly convenient and keeps you from having to purchase a separate meat probe.

Who Was The Camp Chef SmokePro Deluxe Made For?

This grill was made for anyone who is looking to get into cooking with wood pellets without cleaning out your wallet.  It is a perfect starter grill for beginners.  It also works well as a backup grill while trying to hone your smoking game.  The built-in meat temperature probe will also save you some money by not having to purchase an additional meat probe for monitoring your food.

Why You Should Think Twice

In order for Camp Chef to offer this grill at this price, they had to make some allowances.  This includes keeping the construction materials to a minimum with lighter weight metal.  The metal is thinner than more expensive grills, which means it does not retain heat as well.  This goes for both the body and the lid.

Even taking this into account, this is still an above average cooker for the price which is what really matters.  Wood fired pellet grills can easily cost upwards of $1,000 or more so when you take that into consideration and you aren’t looking to break the bank, this is a grill worth considering.

An option to consider as a mid-size alternative that will run you only a little bit more is the Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill.  You can read my review by clicking on the blue link.

Pros And Cons

Prices And Warranties

The MSRP for the SmokePro is $699.99.  Straight from Camp Chef, it’s $699.99.  I have seen it for much lower on Amazon from time to time.  Excluding the finish or paint, Camp Chef offers a no-hassle warranty that promises to replace defective parts and repair issues regarding the materials used and the workmanship.  It’s good for three years from the original date of purchase.

The Bottom Line

The SmokePro DLX is a nice mid-size pellet smoker that is comparable to the popular Traeger “Lil Texas Elite”.   It offers much more though and can be easily found at much lower than it’s list price.  This makes it easily a best buy at this price range for folks thinking about jumping into the arena of pellet smoking.

Between the warranty, the affordable price, and the convenience of the drain chutes, the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is more than a dependable choice; it’s a smart one.  Whether you’re easing into the world of pellet grills or you’re a long time smoke master, you can’t go wrong with what you get from this grill in this price range.

Have you used this grill?  Do you have something to add?  Leave your review in the comments!  We always welcome your input and I would love to hear about your experiences with it.

Cheers,

Patrick

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