I think it’s funny that buying a smoker automatically makes you “that guy”. You are the dad who likes to smoke his homemade brats, the cool gung-ho brisket guy, or you are the novice (like me who wants to see what all the praise is about. Camp Chef who was kind enough to send me one of their VersaTop 2X flat-top grills a while back came to the rescue and sent over their XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker. Did it impress and arguably more importantly am I the smoked meats guy now? Let’s dive into the review and see if the XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker is a cuisine game changer!
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Specifications: Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker
The Camp Chef XXL Pro is a vertical pellet smoker with a temperature range of 150-350°F. It uses wood pellets as its primary fuel but can also accommodate wood chunks or charcoal in its Smoke Box. The unit includes a WiFi-enabled PID controller and various smoking modes. Here are the key specs:
- Brand: Camp Chef
- Model: XXL Pro
- Temperature Range: 150-350°F
- Fuel Type: Wood pellets (primary), Wood chunks or charcoal (secondary)
- Controller: WIFI-enabled PID controller
- Smoke Modes: From 1 to 10
- Smoking Technology: Smoke Box with fan mode
- Ventilation: Down and out ventilation system
- Dimensions: 55″H x 24″L x 15.5″W
- Cooking Rack Area: 301 sq. in. per rack
- Total Rack Area: 1806 sq. in.
- Chamber Size: 7920 sq. in.
- Hopper Capacity: 30 lbs
- Weight: 145 lbs
- Number of Racks: 8
- Racks Included:
- 3 standard smoking racks
- 3 jerky smoking racks
- 1 hanging rack with 12 sausage hooks
The MSRP of the Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker stands at $899. This is a hefty investment and I personally would not blame anyone for shopping around when that kind of cash is on the line. For a novice like me, this smoker seems slightly overpriced. It’s big and there is a lot of intricate mental workings not to mention the wifi/bluetooth capability so perhaps that justifies the bump where a totally manual smoker would be closer to the $600 mark.
Assembly: Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker
Putting together the XXL Pro isn’t rocket science, but it’s not a quick job either. The instructions are sometimes vague, which can be frustrating. While the materials feel a bit flimsy, they held up fine during assembly. The trickiest part was installing the pellet box. Having a second pair of hands would definitely speed things up.
First Impressions: Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker
Out of the box, the XXL Pro looks neat and relatively lightweight given its size. The quickstart guide makes operation seem straightforward. However, the door’s quirky opening mechanism is immediately noticeable and takes some getting used to. The smoker arrived well-protected, which is a plus.
Pros/Cons: Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker
In practice, the XXL Pro is a mixed bag. The 30-lb hopper capacity is a standout feature, allowing for 10+ hours of cooking without refilling – perfect for those long smokes.
- The ash cleanout system is a good idea but tends to stick between uses. The ash cup and grease bucket are easy to remove, sometimes too easy – they can fall off if you’re not careful when moving the smoker.
- Temperature probes are accurate, and the racks are easy to clean. The grease collection system works well when the bucket stays put. The folding side table is handy but could be bigger.
- One notable issue is the door handle. While it has some form of wrapping around it, it can get uncomfortably hot during long cooks. This could potentially be a safety concern during extended use.
- The ability to add wood chunks or charcoal to the Smoke Box is a nice touch, allowing for additional flavor customization. However, the WIFI/Bluetooth feature has been a letdown. Despite following instructions to the letter, it’s never worked. While Camp Chef’s support would absolutely help, I haven’t reached out. Honestly, the smoker is simple enough to use, so remote monitoring isn’t crucial for me. If I am smoking something I am going to be around enough throughout the day to monitor it by walking by it.
- Durability-wise, the XXL Pro is surprisingly tough. It survived a fall during a storm without damage, despite feeling a bit inexpensive overall. The optional cover is worth getting – it’s held up well over a full season outdoors.
Smoke Time: Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker
Camp Chef was nice enough to send this guy out at the start of summer. Perfect time for those well-planned and/or impromptu smokey snacks. The first thing I smoked was some salmon. It only took a few hours altogether, I had it on smoke setting one, and it was delicious. The smoker did a great job from start to finish. Smoke level one left a very mild smoke flavor and could have been turned up to 2 or 3 for that actual smoke flavor.
Another thing I had the pleasure of cooking up was some smoked pork chops from my pig hunt a while back. I tried out a higher smoke level for this ( I want to say 3, 4 or 5) and the difference in smoke taste was pretty drastic compared to level 1. I also used some applewood that Camp Chef sent along and it really accented the chops well. They were tender and wonderful. This gave the grease collection system a real go and it was impressive how well it collected it all.
The most recent thing we smoked was a cooked tri-tip roast. Just to give it that authentic smokey flavor. All parties involved were happy with how well the flavor soaked in and were tempted to turn up the smoke level for future endeavors.
We have had a brisket planned out since that is sort of the go-to pinnacle of smoked meats but time has not allowed. I have no doubt the XXL Pro would handle it and excel at longer cook times. That hopper holds a lot of pellets (thanks again Camp Chef for sending those out) so 10-plus hours at a given smoke level is an easy feat. Jerky and sausage are also on the wishlist but I also keep finding myself thinking about that salmon and really filling this large-capacity smoker up.
Final Thoughts: Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker
The Camp Chef XXL Pro is a decent entry-level pellet smoker with some flaws. Its massive cooking capacity and small footprint are definite plusses, especially for those with limited space. The easy ash cleanout and long run time between pellet refills are convenient features. However, it feels a bit overpriced for the build quality, and the WIFI connectivity issues are disappointing. Again I am sure Camp Chef would remedy this or address it if I reached out. Don’t knock it solely for my one issue. The hot door handle is also a concern that potential buyers should keep in mind. If you’re new to pellet smoking, need a lot of cooking space, and can find it on sale, it’s worth considering. Just be prepared for some very minor frustrations along the way. While it gets the job done, there’s room for improvement in future models.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Camp Chef for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker. That is always greatly appreciated. The last question that remains is what do you think? Is the XXL Pro something you would be willing to invest your money in? What would you smoke up with it? What would be the first thing you’d cook on it? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
The post AllOutdoor Review: Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.
