Char-Griller Grand Champ XD First Impression

[@JA-rc4uy]

I’ve been using the grand champ XD for almost 6 years now. I wanted to give 5 tips that has made me the talk of the neighborhood when it comes to smoking and slow cooking food. Tip 1. Use a coal bed for the heat source, charcoal briquets or lump charcoal your choice. I fill my charcoal chimney all the way to get my coal bed started. Tip 2. Small wood chunks are for flavor only. Not for trying to maintain temperature. The largest chunk I go with is maybe an 8in long by maybe a 4in thick, but I found that roughly a 6in long by 4in thick works best. Tip 3. You won’t be able to keep a healthy coal bed by just adding the smoking chunks, they’re to small. When the coal bed starts dying, replenish with a fresh chimney of coals. Tip 4. Add one wood chunk at a time, remember wood is only for flavor. Keep the fire box lid open until the chunk is fully lit and no more white smoke is being created. Tip 5. The charcoal tray inside the main cook chamber can be turned upside down, this I found acts as a “tunnel” for the heat coming from the fire box, and helped maintain consistent temperatures throughout the entire cook chamber. You may have to slide the tray closer or further away from the fire box to get the temperature to be consistent throughout the chamber. And a bonus tip, the gaskets that come on the lids from the factory are junk and will burn off almost immediately, replace them with some quality gaskets. By doing these things above, I have kept cooking temperature between 225 and 250. With very healthy smoke, to nearly no smoke coming from the stack. If you need to run a little hotter, just add a little extra charcoal. Try it, experiment with it and find what works best for you.

[@TonyToneBBQ]

JA thanks for watching and I appreciate the tips! The XD is a great rig and I'm looking forward to uploading some new vids with it. I hope you're subscribed, I've got some cool stuff coming I think you might find interesting. Smoke on!

[@trevorbraden5448]

The charcoal is the best tip you gave.... its how I run mine.... I found that putting Just barely off the side of the fire box gives me very even temps throughout the grill

[@marcharris6015]

Bought mine last spring. It's been fantastic! Tiny splits keeps the pit running between 230 F and 275 F all day long.

[@TonyToneBBQ]

Nice! Temp management is much easier. Thanks for watching!

[@donscott6431]

Love the placement of the exhaust outlet for the stack

[@TonyToneBBQ]

Yeah, the Grand Champ XD is a beast.

[@bahyasta]

You named your dog after a brisket. That's dedication, mate! Thanks for the video.

[@gregthehammer540]

Just got mine a few weeks back.. and I am enjoying it very much.. still leaning it but not bad for the price

[@TonyToneBBQ]

I'm glad you're enjoying it Greg! Me too! I think one of the best values on the market. Thanks for watching!

[@thetruth9361]

I smoked a Turkey on my XD today. I had a hard time maintaining temp but the outside temp was in the 40s. I had to add about 5 chimnies of charcoal during the cook + the splits. It was a rough day.

[@TonyToneBBQ]

It's definitely more difficult when it's cold out. How much charcoal did you start with? And what temperature were you trying to maintain?

[@thetruth9361]

@@TonyToneBBQ l wanted 250. I used about 2 and a half small bags of klngsford.

[@UABFWSS]

Got one ordered and in transit, looking forward to getting it, looks good

[@TonyToneBBQ]

You're going to love it my friend! Congrats!

[@user1233002]

Thanks Tony, this video is right on time for me as I'm wanting to buy a smoker like this. I've searched Lowes & Walmart's web sites but can't find the Grand Champion XD to get a price.

[@TonyToneBBQ]

You're welcome! Thanks for your comment! Check Char grillers website, link below. You can order one from the Home Depot. Thanks for watching! www.chargriller.com/collections/charcoal-grills/products/grand-champ-offset-smoker

[@user1233002]

I have to thank You Again. I was going to buy an Oklahoma Joe, But. Comparing the Joe & XD, The Char-Griller beats it hands down; Two Smoking Shelves the top shelf can be removed for large Items, a Firebox Basket & the folding front shelf makes for easier Summer Storage. 😁I live in the Arizona Sonoran Desert.

[@TonyToneBBQ]

@@user1233002 awe man! Now Oklahoma Joe's is gonna mad at me! Hahaha! I was considering an OJ too, I have an OJ Judge Charcoal Grill and I love it, so was considering a Longhorn. I went with the Char-Griller for the same reasons you are. I think it'll be perfect for you in AZ. Have fun!

[@kifropu]

thank you for the great content as always, I've learned so many useful techniques about grilling and smoking from you. i truly appreciate your content . Did you have to seal this too, like you did the previous model ?

[@rafaeldelgadillo3448]

If you have the fire box door open instead of using the vent. the fire is way easier to manage

[@TonyToneBBQ]

Hey Rafael! Thanks for watching and I appreciate your comment. I'll have to check that out! Thanks again!

[@Itsreekoh]

Tony is my hero 🙌 I’m invested in these cooks

[@TonyToneBBQ]

Thanks Rick!

[@AdrianLGreen]

I love my Grand Champ XD!

[@TonyToneBBQ]

I'm loving mine too!

[@SilentEdgeTv]

I love my HD grand champ bit after a while I had an issues with the firebox lid warping or something. It no longer shuts all the way. It stays cracked open by like 1/4 of an inch. And it frustrates me. I gave to put some weight Ober the lid to keep it shut.

[@TonyToneBBQ]

This is a common issue. Heat warps the hinges. There's an easy fix though. Lay a long screwdriver on top of the box with the lid fully opened, just in front of the hinges. Then close the lid and gently press down. This will bend the lid and hinges just enough for it to close properly again and it generally stays that way. Hope that helps!

[@jameswalker5409]

Yep, My firedox lid is warped also. Got a brick on the handle to close up the gap. Smokes great though. Oh...thanks for the screwdriver fix. Now I don't need the brick anymore. Helpful videos on fire management also.

[@TonyToneBBQ]

@@jameswalker5409 I'll upload a video soon on how to fix this! It's super easy.

[@TheChazas]

how tough are these Char-Griller smokers when it comes to heat, how good the metal and paint holds up, especially with using wood and a bit bigger fire.

[@gabrielbennett5162]

I have an older model Char-Griller and love it. The metal is on the thinner side, but by no means the thinnest out there; probably about twice as thick as a Weber kettle. The paint on the top of the side firebox tends to get burned away; I just season it with cooking oil like a cast iron pan, which holds up to the heat a lot better.

[@TheChazas]

@@gabrielbennett5162 Thanks for the answer, I wonder is it worth it or better look for other brands for more heavy user.

[@ibarretero98]

Nice upgrade ! Did you have to seal it like the older one ?

[@TonyToneBBQ]

Thank you! No, the Grand Champ XD doesn't seem to need any extra sealing. And the slab of ribs that came off was FREAKING AMAZING! I'm totally loving this rig. Thanks for watching!

[@Trumpetmaster77]

That smoker looks like it does a good job! How many briskets can you fit in it?

[@TonyToneBBQ]

Thanks! It does! So far, I've only done one at a time but I'm sure it could fit up to 4, depending on size. Might have to trim up a little if cooking really long ones. Just smoked a whole suckling pig weighing 35 pounds last weekend. Thanks for watching!

[@donscott6431]

Gonna check out this smoker price

[@TonyToneBBQ]

Mine was 549. Thanks!

[@LorenKyleDiedrich]

How big is the main cooking grate?

[@TonyToneBBQ]

The main cooking grate is 35-inches x 19-inches. Thanks for watching!

[@butlerstrailfan886]

No gasket on this one?

[@TonyToneBBQ]

Nope, not necessary with the Grand Champ XD. It comes with gaskets on both lids. The firebox lid gasket did burn off after a few months so I had to replace that but besides that, it's all good. Thanks for the question!

[@butlerstrailfan886]

@@TonyToneBBQ Thanks for answering. I bought my char griller this spring and started smoking because of your videos. Your videos gave me the correct idea of what to do. I really enjoy hanging out and managing my fire all day. If you’re paying attention you really get a feel for exactly when to add your piece of wood according to the temperature. I use my tongs to give it a slight squeeze and the current piece will break into a small bed of coals to lay the next piece on. I can’t believe how good the Char Griller Deluxe works for the price. It offers really great value. My only complaint is the wheels. I live in a 4 family apartment so I have to move it out when I use it about 25 feet. They were destroyed in less than 3 months so I had to replace them.