Pros and Cons of the Char Griller Grand Champ XD.

In this video I go over the pros and cons of the Char Griller Grand Champ xd. After 3 weeks, and 4 cooks, I detail what I like and dislike about this smoker. I also show how I’m dealing with some surface rust on the firebox. Thanks for watching! #chargriller #offsetsmoker #rust #bbq #charcoal #hickory #stickburner

[@user-wc1ft6jv8r]

Love what u have change what u dont like. With that gauge when u get it hot again that water will go away

[@QxBoNG]

thanks for the review dood.

[@AnthonyMaske]

I picked one up roughly 2 years ago and absolutely love it, no regrets what so ever. Just before getting it I almost ordered the Longhorn but it was on back order. IMHO, the XD is much better built than the Longhorn. When I got mine the smoke stack didn't have a gasket, just the bolt to hold it in place, I did end up adding a gasket to it later, but, glad Chargriller picked up on that and now includes one. Also sounds like it is now coming with better gaskets, the ones I had lasted burn in + 2 cooks, then started to crumble so I replaced the gasket on the cook chamber and replaced the gasket on the firebox with a gasket for a wood stove. A few other little mods here and there. I wish Chargriller would replace that drain plug nut with a standard size nut so it will be easier to replace it with a ball valve. Edit: Just wanted to also pointout, that top shelf, it's great they include it, however, it could be about 5" wider so it can hold bigger cuts of meats.

[@user1233002]

I just received my Grand Champion for Christmas 😅. It will be a week or two until it's assembled. I have a couple of friends who are going to put it together for me. Mean while I'm watching videos and learning what I can. Your videos are well done and has given me a lot of useful information.

[@GunSmoke216]

Awesome. Congrats and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

[@mac8794]

Bought mine at Home Depot, on clearance sale w/military discount it was $270! Added Lavalock thermometers (one left, one right), added stack extension, and baffle w/water pan, and tuning plates. Saw rust immediately, and quickly got worse, see photos! I do keep it covered but it’s Oregon. Painted it (twice) with ultra high temp paint (2000 degree rating), prepped with wire brush, still rusts! Best thing to do is treat it like your weapon, keep a light coat of oil on it after smokes! I love mine for the value & money! I will not paint it again. Drive it until she is dead. Well worth the value. Love the two shelves, front shelf….thrilled with my purchase! My smokes have been brilliant.

[@mac8794]

I guess I can’t post photos…but with a coat of oil she’s like new

[@waynehamilton5248]

I've had mine almost a year now. Sits in my Garage after it's cooled from a smoke, I had to treat my firebox for rust as well. It's my 1st offset and works well has good gauge metal etc. Most of my seals are gone now which I plan to replace someday. As you said though mine doesn't leak smoke once it gets settled (very little if any). Thanks for sharing.

[@OLBuddyMcMgee]

Its paper thin won't hold temp in cold or wet weather ..the Prob is to get a thicker unit you have to spend 1500 to 2k

[@GeorgiazOwnKing]

lies, i have one and bbq in rainy and cold weather all the time. granted i have it under the canopy but its still exposed to elements and doesnt stop it from holding temps @@OLBuddyMcMgee

[@lcutis5639]

What i also do is spray firebox with cooking spray as I’m smoking to help keep shine on firebox. Ito maintain even temps across cooking surface I flip the long silver charcoal pan and push flush up to firebox to act as reverse flow

[@GunSmoke216]

I might do linseed oil. But regardless, the firebox gets so hot, it would probably need touch ups every so often.

[@hardtruth2039]

Hair dryer to dry out the gauge. They supply cheap thermo’s. I like tru-tel thermos on my cookers.

[@joshsinglefooter]

Been waiting for a review on KZbin before i bought one. Thanks well done!

[@GunSmoke216]

Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@bigbird5090]

Like mine a lot. A little more than "entry level" but not high end by any means. Fireboxes get hot and will rust and requires on going attention. Keep up with it. (Not unexpected.) The best thing they could do with this is to replace the cheep spindles and wheels with a through both legs bigger diameter axle and harbor freight nematic tire wheels. This would be a huge upgrade worth a little more $ IMO. Get the extra thermometers for the corners and a ash raker to remove excess ash on long smokes. The XD makes this easy to do with the full sized fire box door but they ash rake should come with IMO. Also, make a proper fit winter thermo blankie available to keep temps cozy in cold weather.

[@lcutis5639]

Another a trick to maintain temperature all the way across is to flip the charcoal pan on cooking and it will act as a reverse flow

[@GunSmoke216]

I might do that. Drill some holes to help distribute the heat. But the chimney would to be moved to the other side for true reverse flow.

[@lcutis5639]

@@GunSmoke216 no need to drill holes heat will be even from left to right

[@michaelh1621]

I like mine but find high fuel consumption. During long cooks, I am adding small splits or charcoal every 30 minutes, to maintain 250-275. Stick burners require a lot of attention, I get that, but this one keeps me busy. Still, for the $, you can’t beat it!

[@bricegraham6635]

Hey.. I’ve had my XD for almost a year… mine came with a folding front shelf… noticed you don’t have yours installed… very handy!!

[@GunSmoke216]

Mines on now too lol. I didn’t think I would like it. I was wrong lol. It’s very handy like you said.

[@gregthehammer540]

I spray the fire box every cook to give it a coating to help prevent the rust..

[@GunSmoke216]

I think I’m heading in that direction too. Thanks for watching!

[@teamturner3933]

Hi Greg- do you just spray the firebox inside and out?

[@lawrencebecht660]

You can take an orifice drill bit at drill a small hole in the bottom of the thermometer metal band on the face this will allow that moisture to escape

[@beowulf3303]

I have this on the way! I bought a expensive pellet grill earlier this year and it was awesome until it was not during a overnight cook! I’m sure they will take care of me but smfh!

[@GunSmoke216]

You’re gonna love it! Keep me posted on how you like it. 👍👍

[@Judgesaysno1]

I spray the exterior of my fire box with canola oil frequently to keep it looking new.

[@GunSmoke216]

I do the same 👍

[@GeorgiazOwnKing]

man bump that firebox. doesn't stop it from functioning as it should. imma spray paint mines over one day but until then , bump the lil rust on the outside of it.

[@Joe_Everett]

Great video. A couple of questions... I have an older Grand Champ I guess because our firebox side doors are very different. Did you opt to not install your front shelf of your Grand Champ? Have you been spraying the firebox with any kind of cooking oil before cooks? What area of the country are you in? Again, excellent video. 👍

[@GunSmoke216]

Thank you. I did install the shelf. I live in NJ and I usually spray some cooking oil on the outside of the firebox to “season” it and try and preserve the metal. 👍

[@roycook7542]

For the price I feel like this would be my offset smoker. Tons of features the other cheap smokers don’t have but good luck trying to find one in store.

[@GunSmoke216]

My Home Depot had several in stock. Hope you find one. You won’t be disappointed. Good luck with it when you get one 👍

[@m.687]

Look at the Old Country Pecos for this price point.

[@glennmcdonald4557]

Good review. Been wanting to pull the trigger on one at my local home depot.

[@GunSmoke216]

Thanks. Good luck with yours when you get it. 👍

[@eddieperkins907]

Use linseed oil

[@dondiesel1100]

I got that at home depot and after 1 summer i got rid of it and bougjt a old country brozos, the best

[@GunSmoke216]

Yea, the brazos looks nice. Good luck with it! 👍

[@hardtruth2039]

I wipe mine down with bacon grease during cooks to keep the rust away.

[@Fckupayme89]

Did you season the offset smoker before your cook? In and out???

[@GunSmoke216]

I seasoned the inside. I spayed everything on the inside with avocado oil. Lit a fire in the firebox, and let the oil burn into the smoker. I also spray the outside of the firebox with pan or avocado oil every few cooks to help preserve the steel.

[@Tommytwos]

I’m going to say maybe the rainstorm caused all that. The gauge for sure. And the rust maybe?? Gauge will probably evacuate itself give it a month.

[@LorenKyleDiedrich]

What are the dimensions of the main bottom grate?

[@GunSmoke216]

I’ll measure it tonight and get back to you.

[@re7206]

Put therm in oven at 100 degrees for 3-4 hours. Cook out moisture in guage

[@michaelh1621]

I don’t see the shelf?

[@kevz2474]

these things are hard to find apparently

[@justanotherchilldad1014]

Went to 4 Home Depot’s today lol store has price tag of $330 hanging but none in stock.

[@eddieperkins907]

An for that price you can get a old country bbq pitt

[@GunSmoke216]

Maybe so. I chose this one at the time. And I’m happy with it.

[@jonah1821]

How did you deal with the rust?

[@GunSmoke216]

I spray the firebox with canola or avocado oil after it’s really hot. I do it every 3-4 cooks. Eventually I’m going to repaint it with high temp spray paint but the oil is working pretty good for now.

[@dondiesel1100]

Biy a old country brozos, i know u like one.

[@GunSmoke216]

Maybe one day. They are nice. Right now I’m building a pit.

[@kingroc8711]

You kno it comes with a warranty

[@ronjohnson21]

I don't have any complaints about mine.