A Pellet Grill That I Don't HATE? Camp Chef Woodwind Pro First Impressions

[@lowdownone]

I have this grill. It works as advertised and I am satisfied. If you want smoke adjust the smoke setting and keep the wood chunk hopper full. Not sure why a pellet grill with a griddle or sear box attachment has to be able to sear in the cooker. It’s a smoker. Never hear anyone saying an offset has to sear lol. The problem with everyone’s (by everyone I mean 5% of the target population) wanton desire to eat smoke is that these companies are trying to make money. A pellet grill isn’t meant to be an offset, which most people don’t want. Funny how offset makers like Lone Star and Yoder make pellet smokers. Weber would probably be doing better if they decided to innovate in pellets a lot sooner.

[@mattydanger3165]

One of my favorite things about my stick burner is that I can throw a steak on towards the end of a cook and sear it in the fire box. I’d prefer to grill on my Weber kettle but it’s certainly convenient and beats having to fire up another cooker while keeping an eye on the finished product.

[@uclajd]

Also, most of the population doesn't care about extreme smoke in their food. My mother doesn't kike it. I don't care about it. These offset enthusiasts care more than most people about extreme smoky flavor than the vast majority of people.

[@uclajd]

@@mattydanger3165 LOL a stick burner is convenient. No.

[@ironKurgan]

Good walkthrough of this pellet grill. The problem with the Wifi connection as you have no doubt found out is that on initial start-up it will take up to 4 hours for the app to download all updates. So the next time you try, or the next day it will pair right up and be good..

[@DirkHarrington]

I'm VERY excited to watch more reviews on this grill. It's on my short list of next grills!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

low and slow coming up next

[@DirkHarrington]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Awesome! I’m not expecting it to replace a full wood burning experience but have to believe this is a huge step in adding that additional flavor. 🤞

[@murphy33]

Will it be also against the Masterbuilt also?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@murphy33 I am debating that or an offset

[@dannydowell9979]

Camp chef does kickass!

[@marc2769]

Always look forward to your videos. Very descriptive and inviting. Thanks again.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Cheers Marc

[@marc2769]

I picked up a kamado classic 2 last fall from Costco. I had never done anything other than little cooks like pulled pork ribs and roast. I had 35 people coming for my 50th birthday and bought a 19 pound brisket. Would have never attempted without your videos and direction. Did the double indirect and hot damn was it a hit. Thanks again so much.

[@mefobills279]

Flip smoke box and smoke cage are two devices that create a bed of embers. Steve Gow using smoke cage on his pellet, pitts and spits, was able to produce stick burner results on a brisket. Test smoke cage and flip box please.

[@AndreLederer]

About a year before Campchef came out with this new feature, I was trying to do something very similar. I was placing small pieces of hickory wood on the lip of the fire bowl with tongs. I noticed that if the pieces I used were too big there was acrid smoke, but if I got the right size, I got some nice sweet smelling blue smoke and a real authentic wood flavor! So I think the key here is the size of wood you will use and the size of opening for the flame to get to the wood. It’s tricky I think but can work.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Good point. Will try to not go too large

[@j.m.karsch9105]

Because it's not just a smoker it's pretty covers all the bases. You can do anything with it. I have the 36 pro and love it. Before anyone says I don't know anything, I picked this thing up because sometimes I don't feel like babysitting it all day long. I own multiple smokers and grills of every configuration you can think of. All I'm saying is it can do just about anything you want to do very easy. The only draw back is that it will make ya lazy....lol

[@joed.4038]

I'm finishing up a mod today, 5/9/23 where i bought a smoke box slightly deeper than most, sitting on 4" "L" brackets attached to the slide plate. It will sit just above the fire pot and is removeable. Adjusting it by sliding the grill handle in or out over the fire pot. Will try it today. Its my second mod. Looks very promising. Using a C.C. SG-24

[@DadHominem]

Ribs, then brisket! Thanks for a great review. I've been considering this grill.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

ribs coming up

[@WesleyDemarest]

I like mine but do not count on the WIFI working. Mine burnt out within 5 months. I had two other pellet grills prior to this one and this is the best one so far (minus the WIFI), but prefer a side tub stick burner. However, there are limits in an HOA.

[@mwils171]

I’ve got the woodwind pro and a kj3. I love them both for different things. I like to tinker and automation. So I get to do that owning both. Super impressed with the woodwind pro though.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I am curious to see how it does

[@mwils171]

@@SmokingDadBBQ when I first got it I had issues with the app as well. They recently updated it, I removed the app from my phone and redownloaded it and it has been flawless since. Also, know from watching your masterbuilt video you have some hesitation with plug in grills. The app will notify you if it looses connectivity due to power outage or if the temp is dropping. And lastly, you said you had concerns about living in the north and it being outside, I live in wyoming and smoked a pork shoulder when we had a blizzard with -30 temps a couple months ago with no issues. I still use my kj more. But the ww pro has been a good number 2. Look forward to seeing how you figure things out and improve things that I would have never have thought of like you do on everything else lol.

[@blipblap614]

Mind saying a few words about what each does well? I'm torn between them -- love my portable GMG, but I wonder if I don't know what I'm missing.

[@BrianMiller1973]

John Setzler loves his. The Sidekick looks like a worthy addition to it as well.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

it would have been in the same boat with the sear as the Pro without it

[@DanDaciuk]

Its my daughter's birthday today, and she asked rather than going out she wants me to make her steak for dinner. While I don't have a woodwind pro, I appreciate your ideas. I'll be following your recipe including chimichurri and searing sauce my KJ using the soapstone.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

let me know what you think, i do love that steak recipe

[@DanDaciuk]

​@@SmokingDadBBQ searing sauce was a hit. Even my picky son went for seconds. While I copied your ingredients I didn't use exact measurements, just tasted as I went. Chimichurri was really good too, first time making it. Thanks for the ideas!

[@bcfran3g844]

My Myron Mixon V3 pellet grill, was delivered last Friday afternoon.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Congrats

[@williamh192]

Where do you get your meat ? Great video ! Can't wait to try . Also get a hold of Camp chef about your issue . Sometimes new updates come out to fix bugs and yours isn't updated , they are really helpful , as I went thru the same problem.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

They were helpful and got it fixed for me

[@rickcormier9160]

One thing I really like about this pellet grill is that the body is stainless. Many are powder coated on the bottom with stainless lids. After a couple of years the body starts rusting from the heat deteriorating the powder coat finish needing to be painted to keep it from rusting out. As long as parts are available this grill should last decades. I think the lid is double walled too!

[@wesleydrew9242]

What's the grill count at currently? Have you reached a number where an intervention may be necessary?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

yes in purge mode. the Carlisle gen 1 went last weekend, the Solo Fire Pi and Stove go this week, Masterbuilt goes in a week and this grill is going to a charity that serves at risk community. I don't have space to keep it long term and mentioned this plan to Camp Chef and they were supportive so after a few videos I have a great home for it already lined up

[@johnkuveke9749]

Thanks for all your videos!! I started following you after i bought a kamado joe series 3 2 years ago and have turned out some of the best bbq I’ve eaten in years thanks to you. Question to SD. Im smoking a pork shoulder on my Masterbuilt 900 series i just bought. You did a video on it. Once i hit internal temp of 170 and develop a nice bark i should wrap it? I’ve seen you wrap or foil boat other pork shoulders to retain moisture. Plz help…im almost at 170😊

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I would boat. I didn’t in my video because I was away

[@johnkuveke9749]

Thanks!

[@BehindTheFoodTV]

Looks like a solid start James!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks Al

[@robertash3953]

Glad you are doing a review on the Camp Chef Pro Woodwind. Would love to see how the finish product compares to the the Masterbuilt Gravity Fed Grill. I figure the build quality is definitely different (just looking at the price) but wonder about the "smoke" taste. Good video sir!! 🔥🔥

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

We will find out soon

[@leidetai5082]

I have a Yoder pellet grill and it can sear a steak just fine. The only trouble is the price of the pellets in my part of the world has become insane this past year. Something is wrong when the fuel can cost more than the meat. Charcoal price did not change so the Joe Junior gets more work to do

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

True and the Yoder does burn a lot which is good for taste but bad for the pocketbook

[@prasartpongpet]

You should test Louisiana founders series pellet grill.

[@jamesg6071]

I wonder how this grill compares to the Yoder. Two different price points but I’m considering both

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i think the removable fire grate is a nicer sear than the side kick propane accessory as the 300f or so sear temps inside because of the wood box blocking the firebox isn't very exciting here.

[@gregbishop4145]

Is the pepper canon manual? I feel like I can get similar results from a $30 gravity pair of grinders. Maybe a few more seconds for a fraction of the cost.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I used to use my yaro kanto coffee mill. Lots of cheaper options for sure

[@marksamples6499]

Hello Smoking Dad, as always thanks for your channel and your reviews. Much respect!! So, I'm curious to know how the two meat probes worked out? How close were they? Looking forward to hearing a response. 😊

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I couldn’t get the app working but the read out was identical. Both 114 when I removed

[@Ricanstruct]

I love my RecTeq 1250 but it leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to the smokiness profile, even with a smoke tube. I hear good things about the Pro's wood fire box, looking forward to that video.

[@lakorai2]

Get the HeavyD Smoke Daddy upgrade. This solves this problem

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I am skeptical but curious to see for myself

[@Ricanstruct]

@@lakorai2 thanks! I've actually never heard of it, I'll definitely look into it.

[@TheRssr1979]

Oh my that looks amazing 🤩

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks

[@ericthibault8875]

Your videos are on point lately for me as I am debating between a masterbuilt gravity and the woodwind pro. I worry about the build quality from both. Really wish there was a higher quality of either type that let me use chunks/splits for more flavor. In Canada as well so woodwind pro just recently popped up but still very rare here

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I am further along with the MB…. I believe 2 things about it… it’s scary good and I can’t see how it won’t destroy itself over time. I have had 0 issues so this speculation is more based on internet reviews making me less confident that it’s truly epic Both these grills are a marker improvement over the green mountain grills, old rec tech or traeger models I’ve used so it’s good to see the innovation showing up in appreciable ways even though for me I won’t buy a smart grill because I’m too stubborn to give up on the part I enjoy most

[@ericthibault8875]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Fair and thanks for the reply. I would love to get an offset but my family situation just calls for something more hands off for now...in a few years though will definitely look into one of those Smokenorths! I'm tempted to go for the masterbuilt over woodwind pro as cost of device is lower then the woodwind pro here, however when you add in the mods that would add longetivity to the cooker it starts to get into the price point where you really wish someone would just make a quality built cooker with these features!

[@ericthibault8875]

@@SmokingDadBBQ So I did end up going with the MB...Home Depot got the 1050's back in stock at 100 dollars off so I caved. I did also get a bunch of the mods from LSS mods to install when I get the grill to hopefully prolong its life. I'm still worried about it all but everything I have seen online is hat the potential is there to put out some awesome food, which is what this is all about in the end :) Hopefully the grill lasts longer then a year for the investment!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@ericthibault8875 with those mods I think you should be good. For the effort / quality this is the most impressive grill I have used to get close to real offset results

[@falcon642]

Guys at my local BBQ supply store biggest gripe about the Woodwind Pro is it goes through A LOT of smoking wood chunks. Where the wood chunks are directly above the pellet combustion chamber, the chunks burn pretty quick. I'll be interested if you have the same experience

[@jahweekes]

I can 100% confirm this. It’s a fast burn even if you close the firebox off from the burn pot immediately after ignition.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

it does eat them quickly

[@AlexSmith-ej7dt]

My camp chef woodwind pro quit working on my 3rd cook! 6 hours in cooking a brisket the auger quit working so I took all the pellets out and noticed the auger became disconnected. I had high hopes for this grill. I'm definitely returning it!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

yikes, i would do the same

[@davidconners]

I previously owned a Weber smokefire pellet grill, I now own a Weber Kamado. Charcoal vs pellet comparisons aside, in my experience pellet/electric grills are less set it & forget than charcoal/manual grills. I'd always have pellets build up in the burner & it would lose temp, I went Kamado & never looked back. I also enjoy playing with fire 🔥.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Me too 🔥

[@Bigkuntry5911]

I have watched a few of your videos, and I noticed the title doesn't cover exactly what the video is about. Like this title should at least mention how to cook a steak on a pellet grill at least. Anyway, I own a campchef wood wind pro 36 inch, and this is my first pellet grill. I also own a Lang 36 inch patio stick burner and have cooked on my Lang for years. Even did a few brisket videos on youtube. I have a few points of clarification, you are one of the FEW folks to get a camp chef delivered and the outside packaging didn't look terrible. Many camp chef owners have lately had issues with their shippers not only damaging the outside packaging, but also the actual product being damaged. The two bolt tabs on the end of my hopper pot were bent, but I was able to fix. I had to make some adjustments to my lid, but everything works great. It looks like either your wifi is horrible, or your routers are horrible, or both. Could be an easy fix in the settings, but I absolutely love that I can control my camp chef from anywhere. I have only had a few cooks on my camp chef, but I absolutely love it. I have never cooked on a griddle, but boy does it makes a huge difference. You do have to play with the temp and opening to the wood chunk box to get the precise amount of smoke for whatever you are cooking, but I am a pitmaster, so this was easy to figure out coming from a stick burner. Anyway, the campchef is a great product and their customer service is top notch, and as a pitmaster, I highly recommend to other pit masters.

[@Bigkuntry5911]

One more thing, if the plug on any of your probes are wet, when you plug them in, you will ruin your PID controller, and have to order another one. SO please keep those plugs dry.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks for the details and tips for others considering this grill. There are lots of great how to cook a steak on a pellet grill videos so this is more about why i am hesitant and setting up the upcoming experiment... I almost always cook a steak on a new grill unboxing to see if it can do that before moving onto smoking tasks but i get the fact that there is a nice recipe tucked into this seems odd

[@jahweekes]

The absolute WORST packaging and shipping. Mine was severely dented upon arrival. They need to ship freight.

[@jakebrown2336]

I’d really like to know your comparison between the masterbuilt running wood and the camp chef pro for a brisket or something smoked a long time.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Me too. Will see

[@davidmoerman1211]

I'm jealous that you got one. I'm in Edmonton, so a cross border trip for a cooker just wasn't feasible. Ended up with one of the new Ironwoods, so far so good

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks. Congrats on your new grill and yes I am lucky they sent this to me directly so I didn’t need to fuss with the boarder

[@jahweekes]

@@SmokingDadBBQ that’s awesome you were able to get them to ship to Canada. They refused to ship to Canada for me (claimed it’s still not cleared for sale in Canada), so I did the US mailbox thing and brought it across. Let me tell you, the process was a disaster - lots of damage in transit from camp chef to my US address.

[@klaymoon1]

Great video! Are wood pellets safe? I wonder if the put some additive when making the wood pellets.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Most main brands are clear in the packaging that there are no additives an filler. Just compressed saw dust

[@klaymoon1]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Good to know. Thanks!

[@ledheavy26]

I think I can already tell how you feel about it. The lack of commentary on the smoke flavor is one give away, unless you just forgot to mention it or I missed it. As much as I love my cast iron and they do a great sear I personally prefer searing over a live flame. I'm not particularly interested in these types of grills personally, I would just add a blower to a "dumb" grill, but I enjoy watching you test your bias (gained through experience) to see if it'll change.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

a steak is a bit of a give me on the smoke complaint since i actually don't want a ton of smoke.... it had enough that it wasn't like it was cooked on a propane grill, but also not enough / wanted to be a smoke comparison... i am saving that for the low and slow look my bias runs hard and deep on things like this.... but so far its doing better than other pellet grills i have tested even though for me i would not buy one. I appreciate Camp Chef sending this knowing I have a charity in mind who serves food to at risk community members who will be taking this grill and putting it too good use after i record my tests

[@johnkuveke9749]

I just bought my Camp Chef woodwind pro after swearing i would never buy a pellet grill again!! Mainly for lack of smoke. I bought this pellet grill mainly for the feature of being able to add would to the smoke box. I have used it once for chicken wings and added 1 piece of hickory. That one piece added more smoke flavor then any pellet grill I’ve ever used. So I’m looking forward to doing ribs and brisket as i have seen others do with this grill with positive taste results so hang in there!! You didnt seem to like the Masterbuilt gravity series until you used it with all wood.and said it provided results similar to your offset.I bought a masterbuilt gravity series 900 at Costco and turned out some amazing ribs and chicken!! Im using your recipe for smoked pork shoulder as I’m typing this right now in the Masterbuilt Question? After i get an internal temp of 170 do i wrap it? You didnt do that on the video you posted for it. Ive seen you use a foil boat method in other videos. I feel like i should wrap or foil boat it to retain some juices and moisture. Please let me know. Thanks!!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@johnkuveke9749 id boat it. I only didn’t that cook because I left

[@raviator9443]

Thank you for reviewing this, I am really curious how it will compare to using only wood in your masterbuilt gravity smoker!?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Me too

[@mike_adams]

First off .. thanks for the review and commentary. Enjoyed the seasoning, recipes, processes on reverse sear. End product was phenomenal. However, I’m siding with your hesitancy regarding smoke ability. One thing to note that while this review garnered your approval for its ability to sear, one has to remember that the side griddle is an optional accessory. Camp chef has come a long way with the new feature but there’s a lot of competition in this space that can get to “respectable” sear temps without optional\costly accessories.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

good point on the side kick being side $$$$.... really curious to see what the smoke test bears out

[@johnkuveke9749]

Camp chef sells there 35,000 btu 3 part gas burner at Costco for 297$. Much better deal

[@henrykrinkle5353]

Couldn't agree more about pellet grills. Having buyer's remorse with the Timberline 850.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I just don't get excited by them vs. live fire but i appreciate the problem they solve for some who don't share the same passion for running a real fire

[@bigscreenbird8198]

Yeah don’t buy a traeger, ever

[@emmgeevideo]

A big LOL for me. Until three years ago I was a Weber Gas Grill guy. Boring... I was on a keto diet at the time and Guga follower. I saw the Camp Chef Woodwind on his channel where he featured the gas grill on the side for searing. I was curious what pellet grill smoking was all about. My grill had many quality problems and Camp Chef was generous enough to take it back. I upgraded to another pellet grill which I liked. It had a way to use the firebox for grilling. It was okay but a compromise. Then I ran across the KZbin channel of a certain Southern Canadian KJ KZbinr and the rest is history. Now I'm watching a Camp Chef Woodwind video... Deja vu all over again!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I have a charity that’s taking this so I only said yes to 2 videos and they agreed to give it to a community food program. Won’t be long

[@Jerrybudss]

I just bought a pellet smoker and am also having trouble connecting it to my mesh wifi. Is there something that you were able to do with yours?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Are you dual band? I have a 2 and 5 dual band mesh and had no issues. Three pods

[@smokingtarheel3003]

Beautiful steak. Nice woodwind pro there. I hope the addition of a wood chunk smoking setup improves the experience for you. It's not on my list at the moment but could be in the future.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I will give it a try and see

[@DevinzYT]

Hey James, have you ever used Binchotan Charcoal in your Kamados? I've been hearing a lot about it and I'd like to see your opinions. It's priiicey

[@SinisterMD]

Ulu knives are very good at chopping, especially if you use the little bowl cutting board that can be used with them. Keeps stuff from rolling away and you can really get some great chopping done. Also, I was thinking that this particular grill had an option to do more direct heat by moving the deflector over the fire pot. Is that not the case? If so you should have been able to make that griddle much hotter.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i could try it open and remove the deflector plate to get the cast iron hotter but after losing an hour or two on WiFi frustrations my daylight was running out

[@ericthibault8875]

This grill (unlike the woodwind or smokepro) does not have the "slide and grill". The pro is more for smoking and using the sidekick to grill/sear

[@SinisterMD]

@@ericthibault8875 Ah, I was thinking it had that slide. Thanks for the help.

[@austinrich3902]

Hmm… my Pitboss sears just fine. None the less, I saw Yoder’s video on the CCWW Pro and am curious to how your smoking experience goes!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

no i haven't because of the $$$ but i can try it and share back

[@austinfarmer1794]

What about lone star pellet grillz?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i am holding out hope that might make me reconsider past criticism

[@austinfarmer1794]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Is there a video were you spoke about long star grillz? Wouldn’t mind seeing it!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@austinfarmer1794 just my Santa Maria that’s made by them

[@CoolJay77]

The streak looks awesome. Your channel has turned into the ultimate guide for someone to choose the style of grill and smoker. I am curious about what your input will be on low and slow. Steve from Smoke Trails stated that he likes the outcoume out of his pellet smoker with a wood chunck cage, as much or better than what he can get from from offset smokers.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I remain extremely skeptical about that... But, I have not yet tried it as a smoker so we will see. KZbin recipes don't do well Jan-May so I tried something new this year with some more product reviews but the great purge is on, i need the yard back and some of these that I bought are expensive and tying up $$$. I appreciate Camp Chef sending this knowing I have a charity in mind who serves food to at risk community members who will be taking this grill and putting it too good use after i record my tests

[@MAbifarin]

Great video. I actually just got one and just did my first cook with it. Loved the results but like you, had identical issues with the WI-FI/App. Try as I might, I couldn't get the PID and my phone to talk. Did you get your issue resolved? What did you do? I don't mind using it manually, but, it is brand new and this was an advertised feature. I would like to be able to monitor the grill especially during long cooks.

[@mygoogle7411]

We have woodwind pro. When we set up wifi on cooker, we connected to our 2.5 channel. We had our phones on that channel during set up. We now use our app on our regular channel and have no problems. Hope you already figured your issues out. We are having lots of fun our grill. Best wishes!

[@RumandCook]

Little disappointed you couldn't get that cast iron inside higher. Having owned a couple Traeger's I have no doubt this will perform better in the smoke department. It will be interesting! 🍻

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Cheers

[@seanberry319]

Interesting review. I’ve heard good things about this Camp Chef and its ability to add good smoke flavor for a pellet grill. I recently bought a stainless smoke box, large enough to hold full wood chunks, and am trying that out with my pellet grill vs a pellet smoke tube. Unrelated, but are you sure you like steak? You put a lot of sauces and layers on there. 😂. You didn’t mention in the video but did you allow the steak to rest before cutting? Just curious. I’d like to see your thoughts on the Oklahoma Joe’s gravity fed charcoal/ wood smoker - seems like it might be better quality than the other gravity fed competitors.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Hahaha the sear sauce does melt away. Kinda like a compound butter does leaving a little garlic behind I’d like to test that one too

[@johnkuveke9749]

I bought a Mb 900 series and a woodwind-pro at the same time after swearing i would never buy a pellet grill again due to lack of smoke flavor from pellets.Ive only cooked chicken wings and added 1 hickory block to the box and that alone gave me more smoke flavor then ANY pellet grill ever! I have high hopes for this pellet grill. After seeing other vids on the Wp im keeping my fingers crossed😊

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Curious to see how the low and slow does

[@BBQ_Beto]

Just wait until you smoke a brisket!! Unreal!!❤

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

to get the most out of it, how often do you like to add wood and do you close your vent or leave it partially open? Want to get the best foot forward

[@loseerich493]

God bless you for speaking the truth. I've spoken the same about facts with pellet cooking on various forums & have been routinely eviscerated for doing so. Facts are facts no matter what fanboy echo chambers tout. Thanks for being honest & open with this & all your reviews. ETA: Really need to know if this thing makes smoke flavor appreciably better than 'normal' pellet grills!!!!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Some brands are pervasive with sending out free grills to anyone with a social channel… you might find some of these most staunch proponents are not disclosing their brand affiliations as the facts are facts when you taste them side by side… that’s why I do side by side comparisons as it takes opinion out of it

[@WillieKlondike9482]

Smoking dad you just haven’t used the right pellet grill. The second gen Webber Pellet Grill does sear steaks at 700 degrees.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

my wife is going to kill me

[@WillieKlondike9482]

@@SmokingDadBBQ 🤣🤣🤣

[@MrJunglebear1]

I am curious to see if the camp chef can duplicate a charcoal and wood flavor close enough to the egg or an offset using royal oak charcoal pellets and wood pieces or a wood and charcoal combo in the drawer

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I am skeptical but we will see, looking forward to finding out

[@mikerotch51]

If nobody has said it You look like johnny Knoxville But great video

[@frostmachete6226]

0:30 I’m glad to cleared the hurdle of your power could go out. Seriously, how often does someone’s power go out, and what’s the probability that your power goes out while you are grilling? Not a good start to this video.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I’ve lost a brisket to an overnight power failure on a pellet grill. It happens … not often but it’s happened to me

[@christucker9566]

I’ve lost a few cooks due to a power surge

[@alexeikoss7233]

How did you get this grill in Canada?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Camp Chef sent this to test so they had to figure that out lol I appreciate Camp Chef sending this knowing I have a charity in mind who serves food to at risk community members who will be taking this grill and putting it too good use after i record my tests

[@joshuakucko]

But how was the smoke flavor?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I don’t find it closed the gap any better than a pellet tube added which is a test I did recently against a cheap pellet grill

[@gassman69]

Did you get any smoke flavor

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

for steak i got what I want, which is very little but something / more than gas or cast iron cooking. not solo stove, pizza oven, offset firebox or KJ levels but enough that it was good, not too little or not too much. i will answer the smoke more with a proper low and slow

[@hawkeyeted]

I don't want a pellet grill for the same reason I don't want a gas grill. I just prefer the "care and feeding" of live fire.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Ditto

[@JGill0124]

How was the smoke flavor?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

better than propane lol .... but i actually don't want much smoke on steak so i was happy with the result but thats not my real smoke test, i am saving that for a low and slow

[@JGill0124]

@@SmokingDadBBQ ok. I await that video. I’ve been looking at pellet grills but want one that provides that smoke flavor!

[@joed.4038]

Sear would of been even nicer with the optional grill box!😊

[@praetorxyn]

I'd like to see someone put that grill head to head against the LoneStarGrillz pellet grills, which look way more impressive and have a reputation for the most smoke flavor on a pellet grill before this came along.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Yoder ys640 up there too for the same burns more pellets … more pellets used more flavour

[@praetorxyn]

@@SmokingDadBBQ I’ve seen the LSG smoke the Yoder in a head to head. It’s in a different league.

[@sshartzer]

If you have your 2.4ghz and 5ghz networks on the same SSID, that could be your wifi issue. This is 2.4ghz only, which doesn't like to connect with stacked networks.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Customer support got me fixed up in a jiffy

[@robertjason6885]

Respectfully, I don’t get it. The point of the wood option is to accentuate the smoke flavor of an EXTENDED cook. Why not compare the CAmp Chef to your stick burner, with a brisket cook, or at least a pork butt? A steak can be super using cast iron, reverse sear oven, then cast iron.

[@diggernash1]

2.4 ghz wifi?

[@tjtewshews5531]

The wifi is thre whole reason i just bought this thing....

[@JJ-hh5sf]

The new recteq bullseye deluxe pellet gets to 1000 degrees F

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

That’s good and hot

[@fastsilverado]

Why does everyone think steaks need a chimicuri or a compound butter?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

They don’t. Agree

[@admranger]

That looked yummy! My only comment is please wash your cilantro before using (maybe you did off camera). You don't know what contaminants are on it. Fields aren't that clean.

[@briandaffern5108]

Maaan! You had two millwrights in the yard who would have been more than happy to help assemble that pit for a wee taste of that tomahawk. Sigh.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

sadly the cook was Sunday after i got stuck on the WiFi issue Saturday

[@briandaffern5108]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Alright, I guess. :-(

[@KristianH1986]

If only the masterbuilt gravity smoker was better built it would beat this hands down for half the price. wood pellets and wood chunks vs charcoal and wood? masterbuilt wins. The 800 also comes with a griddle, it can sear with the sear plates and smoke better. Not to mention charcoal is cheaper than pellets. Masterbuilt wins all day if it were built better, but as it stands its maybe a tie as i hear the campchef woodwind pro is very robust.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I do wish the MB came with the reliability mods that double its price out of the box as on food alone especially running just wood it’s one of the best quality smoke this side of an offset

[@johnkuveke9749]

I just bought a Mb 900 series from Costco. Had great results with chicken and ribs!!

[@bbqlvr6137]

A little disappointed 🙁. I thought this video was supposed to be about the grill yet after the cook all you talked about is your steak recipe and the sear from the griddle. Nothing about whether the grill, in your opinion, imparts better (or worse) smoke flavor than other pellet grills. If you do another video based on low and slow cook, please comment on smoke flavor and bark production. Most other WW Pro reviews I've seen have compared the results close to offset smokers. Would appreciate your thoiughts on this. Thanks for listening.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I will be doing a low and slow compare… I don’t do reviews based on my first cook and if a product call called a grill can’t grill its not worth going further imo so that was test one

[@bbqlvr6137]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Sounds good. I appreciate your response. I look forward to the next test. TBH, I think the WW Pro is much less of a grill than the previous WW version (I own this). The previous WW has a sliding heat deflector that exposes the firepot. With this feature I can get my GrillGrates up to 500-600f. The smokebox on the WW Pro covers up the firepot and that prevents a direct heat cooking experience.

[@francescocampisano2226]

James. Nice vid but you did too much to the steak to address your complaint with pellet grills being a lack of smoke flavor. There is so much there how can you tell if it answers the issue. But looked good. I guess that is next vid.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i am saving the smoke for the low and slow without all the extras, this first step was to see if it can even grill. i don't like over smoked steak so this was more can it even do a steak as some pellet grills can't even do that

[@francescocampisano2226]

@@SmokingDadBBQ as you said the real challenge for pellet grills is smoke flavor at higher temps rather than low and slow. I have both offset, pellet, charcoal, and Kamado as you do and still taste plenty of smoke from pellets as the others at lower temps. Above 325 is where it starts to fade. Too clean of a burn and the fans move air too fast for it to keep smoke in the chamber. Same happens with offsets with well insulated fireboxes and draw too fast. You just get a wood powered oven.

[@cade8986]

I just hate the WiFi stuff. I’m okay with electronics, as pellet grills need to have, but man, just make it hands-on electronics

[@dabeachman]

Thats medium well

[@martindeanculp4493]

Review a kando

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Konnected joe final review comes out soon

[@Bigs73]

I'll stick with my Kamado grills! I haven't used my Traeger in 2 years because it's just MEH. Next on my list is an offset. Steak looked great James, great vid!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I am really digging my offset, that’s a purchase to complement my Kj I still feel increasingly better about

[@mikecitizen2125]

I’m with you guys. I have two BGE’s my next purchase will be an off set or a lone star grillz pellet with the charcoal insert. Man that looks like a nice grill. Keep up the work James.

[@jamesthompson7825]

One thought. Maybe you could find a fourth grader to help with the Wi-Fi issues. That’s what I always do.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

haha i got a hold of customer support, had to remove the bluetooth pair from my phone and sign out of the app, reboot the grill and start again... worked.

[@EGGJAZZ]

nice and burnt yeah

[@toosas]

why not do a simple salt and pepper test and not add "smokey" binders - not to mess with ability to detect smoke on the food. So this grill uses pellets for heat, electricity to control temp/auger and provide connectivity. And the sidekick uses GAS? this is insanity!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

lol yep, again its not for me but i can see some improvements from grills i despise. I am skeptical of the long smoke so we are going to not mess with binders and things that cover up smoke... steak i don't like a lot of smoke so i wasn't really looking to judge the smoke moreso can it even grill a steak

[@toosas]

@@SmokingDadBBQ I'll be looking forward to your head to head test! I know there is a pellet grill out there that lets you open some grates and put the food right on the flames. But then again they dont support adding food chunks. The tech is catching up but sadly the pellet prices are also rising fast! How much did you end up using for this test, if it is not a secret? I have a kamado and a masterbuilt like you but no offsets or pellet grills. I did get that ninja woodfire recently, that might be just the cheapest way of cooking while getting some smoke. You can fit 2 chickens or a pork shoulder, so for day to day use you dont waste too much charcoal etc and only end up spending a few scoops of pellets

[@Frank-the-Tank-13]

Everything is called a grill these days. I have been looking for a country club style grill for about a year and pellet “grills” smokers are running everything. Very disappointing.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

they are better than gas, so if they get people actually interested in grilling and smoking than i appreciate that about them even though for me its not where my money would go

[@robertegan7080]

Geez u expanded ur fleet lol

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

the great purge is underway .... two offsets sold, Solo Stove pi and Fire Pi, MB gravity and this will be going soon too. I appreciate Camp Chef sending this knowing I have a charity in mind who serves food to at risk community members who will be taking this grill and putting it too good use after i record my tests

[@StephenBoyd21]

Is your wifi not working a problem with the grill? I think not.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

? My Masterbuilt gravity is 50 feet further from the router and my Konnected Joe is half the distance also further. Both are connecting and working perfectly as is the Meater probe I used in this cook. Maybe I wasn’t clear but I work in technology with a wireless background and it’s not a wifi problem at my house but an issue with the grill firmware / app / update and pairing process

[@Brian-kq3st]

I like the review, but could do with less of the cooking instructions etc. But then again, I prefer straight to the point and there was a lot of wasted time on this. But the review portion was fantastic.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks

[@liamdesmond4504]

Like your videos but Will probably never understand the Notth American insistence on covering a lovely piece of steak like that with processed garlic and onion powders etc. Use the real thing in the cook if you want the garlic or onion taste. Or even better flaked sea salt, ground pepper then some fresh herbs (rosemary etc) on the sear.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

You’re not wrong. It is an unusual habit

[@bosworth3398]

This review seems to be less about the features of the grill and more about you......and your biases

[@robertegan7080]

Ur running out of space Lol

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

its not hear for long. I appreciate Camp Chef sending this knowing I have a charity in mind who serves food to at risk community members who will be taking this grill and putting it too good use after i record my tests

[@lunarhomesllc4116]

Was this a recipe video or a review video. 10min of your recipes 6 min of review?!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

it sets a stage for what it will take for me to like / not like a pellet grill. step one is a steak as if a grill can't do that then its not a grill i want, part 2 will be the low and slow smoke vs. another smoker to see how it performs there

[@robertorosselini]

I am not impressed of your steak, sorry.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i don't remember sharing any 😊

[@robertorosselini]

@@SmokingDadBBQ You share the colour black as brown.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@robertorosselini I will give you that the smart phone camera I shoot and edit these on doesn’t match what your eye sees

[@scarfa21]

unfortunately Traeger is garbage, review a recteq