Camp Chef and Traeger both offer pellet grills that are similar in many ways, but which one is the best grill for you really just depends on what you’re looking for. If you prefer convenience, then go with Camp Chef. For a traditional grill experience and top-of-the-line components, look to Traeger.
Camp Chef vs Traeger: Pellet Grill Comparisons
If you’re looking for a new pellet grill, but aren’t sure which brand is best for your needs, then this blog post is just what you need. We will be comparing two popular brands in the industry: Camp Chef and Traeger. There are many factors to consider when deciding on your next purchase of a pellet grill including cost, size, features and availability. Keep reading to find out how these two companies stack up against each other so that you can make an educated decision about which one would suit your needs best!
The Traeger pellet grill has more of the features that you would want in your home, while the Camp Chef might be better if you’re on a budget or just don’t need all the extra features. Camp Chef vs Traeger? Both have many positive reviews online with people saying they love how easy it is to use them!
Table of Contents
What’s A Pellet Grill And What Are The Benefits Of Using It?
It is a kind of cooking device designed to cook or grill different kinds of food by using electricity or gas. This method is more efficient than conventional methods, because it doesn’t require the use of charcoal which must be prepared prior to cooking.
A pellet grill uses pellets made from various types of woods, so food will have a unique taste and flavor, depending on what kind of wood was used during grilling process. Food cooked on these grills contain less fat, so you can feel free to eat without feeling guilty.
Spare ribs are one of the most popular dishes that can be grilled using this type of device. It is also possible to smoke meat with the help of this tool. If you are an old fan of barbecues and want to try something new then perhaps you should consider buying a pellet grill.
Camp Chef pellet grill
Camp Chef is the part of the manufacturing company called BergHOFF. The main purpose of this brand is to design and manufacture high quality outdoor cooking equipment, which can be used for camping as well as for home use.
One characteristic feature of their products is that they are suitable not only for grilling food but also smoking it. If you like barbecues, then you definitely must know about the top pellet smoker reviews . This article will show what pellet grills are available on the market today and how they work.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Camp Chef Pellet Grill?
It is a product designed to make the process of grilling easier and more pleasant. It can be used both at home and outdoors, during camping or picnics. If you want to buy some high quality grill online , then check some pellet smoker reviews . So, here are the main advantages of using this kind of outdoor cooking device:
No need for charcoal preparation – as it was already mentioned, there is no need for charcoal because food is cooked on electrical power. However, if you want to have a smoky flavor in your grilled food, then you just put a few wood pellets into the special tray. Once they start burning all you have to do is wait until the food is ready.
It uses less energy – compared to the regular barbecue, the pellet grill uses up to 70% less gas and electricity! It allows you not only to save money but also help environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and other harmful substances into atmosphere. You can relax and enjoy tasty food without worrying about your budget or nature.
It works with different kinds of pellets – depending on what kind of food you want to cook, you can use different types of pellets made from various types of wood (apple, cherry, pecan etc). Since all these products are available on the market, it gives you a lot of freedom when choosing the type of food that will perfectly suit your taste.
You don’t have to wait for it to heat up – when you light regular barbecue, you need to wait for it until the required temperature is reached. That can take up to 30 minutes! However, pellet grills are equipped with special sensors capable of determining how hot is the surface where food is placed. As soon as the grill reaches a certain temperature, all you have to do is place your food and wait until it is ready.
How To Use A Camp Chef Pellet Grill?
First thing you should do before using a new product is read a manual provided by manufacturer. It contains useful information about safety precautions and how to use your grill properly. Before starting cooking process, make sure that there are no kids or animals near the device. You will find it easier to use if you clean the whole grilling system before using it for the first time.
As mentioned above, there is no need to light a fire because this method uses electricity or gas to cook food. Just pour desired amount of pellets into an electric hopper and set temperature according to your preferences. It is recommended that you start with lower temperature and then gradually increase it if needed. While cooking, turn meat every 15 minutes in order not to burn it on one side only. When your food is ready, just take it off the grill and enjoy!
Traeger pellet grill
Traeger pellet grill is the most popular pellet grills. But what do they have that makes them so special?
Traeger grill company is located in Texas, USA. It was created by Traeger Grills Corporation which is a subsidiary of Trager Family Outdoor Products, also known as Trager Bros. The first product was introduced to the market in 2002 and it’s still sold today. More than 1 million of their products are used all around the world.
What Are They Made Of?
Weight – 80 lbs (36 kg); Dimensions – 19 x 22 x 51 inches (48 x 56 x 130 cm) – traeger mini / 47″ or 57″ tall for larger model; Material – steel with porcelain-coated grilling area; Manufacturing process – powder coating; Fuel – hardwood pellets.
What Can It Grills?
Traeger can grill anything you can think of. Wild meat, vegetables, fish… But of course not all of them are suitable for grilling. If it’s included in the Manual, then you should definitely try it out on your Traeger pellet grill. You will find what works best for you and what doesn’t.
Is It Easy To Use?
Yes! Everything is designed to be simple and easy to use with no hassles. Just plug it in, set the temperature using the digital controls according to your food preferences or recipes that you’ve prepared before hand, for it warm up and start grilling.
Of course, you will find some challenges when it comes to cooking on a grill and that’s where online recipes and forums like this one will help you the most. They’re filled with interesting ideas and suggestions for making your Traeger experience even better.
What Are The Key Features?
– Digital controller with touchpad – allows you to set the temperature from anywhere between 180-450 f (80-230 C). It uses an advanced PID controller which is digitally controlled by using a touchpad located on front of the grill;
– Heat defector/dome – in order for your meat to be cooked properly, there needs to be an appropriate amount of airflow inside this device in order for the pellets to burn properly. This is why Traeger have created a domed shape on top of the machine, so that air can easily circulate inside the grill, which leads to even cooking. This is also why they are able to use less pellets than other grills;
– Pellets – spend some time reading about different kinds of pellets and discover what will work best with your Traeger pellet grills. Explore recipes, techniques and forums for the most satisfying results;
What Is The Best Place To Buy It?
After doing little more research on where you can get this device from at it’s lowest price, I’ve discovered that Amazon offers great deals. You should definitely check them out!
How Much Does It Cost?
This amazing device costs between $400-700. Of course, it depends on the model you want to get. The more expensive models are of better quality and come with cool features like app enabled control through your phone or tablet, Wi-Fi connection… But of course, the choice is up to you!
Traeger pellet grill is a great product for all kinds of people who love cooking on an open flame but still want that yummy smoked flavor in their meat. With this device at your hands, there won’t be any need to buy wood chips, charcoal or propane tanks anymore since everything can be done using hardwood pellets. And if you’re new to pellet grills then don’t worry – they have thought everybody through by making the device really simple and easy to use. So go ahead, buy one today and start grilling!
You may like this: 5 Best Charcoal Grill Smoker Combo
Camp Chef vs Traeger: Side By Side Comparison
There are many different manufactures of both gas and charcoal grills on the market today but only two companies stand out in terms of popularity- Camp Chef vs Traeger. These companies make a number of different products and offer multiple grill styles; each with their own advantages and drawbacks to consider. So, how do you go about selecting the best camping stove for your needs? By comparing Camp Chef vs Traeger and taking into account the four key factors we discuss below.
– Price
When it comes to price both Camp Chef and Traeger have models available at a variety of prices points from modestly priced models all the way up through high-end luxury grills. In general, however, you can expect to pay approximately $100 for a mid-range portable gas grill from either company. Higher end models may cost as much as $400 or more depending on additional features, size and BTU output.
Camp Chef Big Gas Grill vs Smoky Joe Portable Charcoal Grill. Camp Chef Big Gas Grill retails at $139.99 while Traeger Lil Tex Elite 22 Pellet Smoker/Grill retails for over $400.
Camp Chef offers the larger Big Gas Grills which are perfect for transporting along with you on your next camping trip or tailgating party, while the Traeger grills are smaller, more practical units to use around your home. Of course, size does not necessarily mean better quality- it’s all about what you need! If you are looking for a grill that is easy to transport then you will likely prefer a smaller stove from company but if portability isn’t that important, then it may be worth splurging for the larger model that offers higher BTU output and more cooking space.
– Temperature Control
Both Camp Chef and Traeger offer models with multiple heat zones so you can cook using indirect heating. This means an even distribution of heat across the grill which results in perfectly cooked meals, every time! However, each company uses their own different methods to achieve this.
Traegers use a series of auger-fed burners while Camp Chefs feature a flame tamers and secondary burner. The auger-fed burners distribute pellets from a hopper above throughout the grilling area, ensuring food is cooked evenly on both sides. Flame Tamers contain and reroute the flame to cook food more evenly on all sides, while the secondary burner provides additional heat if needed.
– Temperature Range
Camp Chef vs Traeger both offer a wide range of temperatures for their grills (200-600 degrees Fahrenheit). While this may seem like a positive at first glance it can actually make it harder to control your cooking temperature. By trying to achieve a low and slow style of cooking you could easily overshoot your mark and end up with an overcooked meal. This is why it’s important that these camping stoves have a good quality thermostat built into them so that the heat can be controlled with precision.
Camp Chef allows users far more control over their cooking temperature by including an adjustable thermostat that goes as low as 180 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. This provides campers with much more flexibility in terms of their cooking needs.
– Cooking Surface Area
Both the Camp Chef and the Traeger offer a decent amount surface area for cooking on- 680 square inches and 640 square inches respectively. The total weight of each grill is approximately 40lbs, so they are both portable enough to carry around for camping trips or tailgate parties.
Traeger does have one slight advantage here because it has slightly larger grilling area (20″ x 32″) compared to Camp Chef (19″ x 26″). However, this small difference shouldn’t be a deciding factor because both grills are very similar in terms of the total cooking area.
– Hopper Capacity
The Hopper can be thought of as the gas tank for each grill because it stores all your fuel which is used to power the burners and produce heat. The amount of pellets able to be held by the hopper varies from model to model, but both companies offer models with options ranging from 20-pound all the way up to 50-pound capacities.
For those who want an extended cook time or higher capacity, Camp Chef offers optional 40lb hoppers which give users plenty of room for prolonged use without having to refill their grill frequently during cook times.
– Extra Features
Both the Camp Chef and the Traeger offer extras like meat thermometers, grease management systems (only available on Camp Chef) and tool hooks. Lack of these features isn’t a deal breaker for many campers because they are simply looking to cook good food but it’s worth noting that only Camp Chef has them included as standard. If you do think you will make use of these extra features then consider the fact that there may be an additional cost associated with buying them separately if you opt to go with Traeger.
Summary:
Camp Chef vs Traeger? Overall, both companies offer incredible value for money- whether you choose to go with Traeger or Camp Chef, you won’t be disappointed! The biggest difference comes down to features with the Camp Chef offering more in terms of adjustable heat and tools hooks.
Camp Chef vs Traeger – Pellet Grill Reviews
Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI Woodwind Pellet Grill
Brand: Camp Chef
Model Name: Woodwind 24
Color: Stainless Steel
Item Weight: 132 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 30 x 42 x 49 inches
Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 is a pellet grill that gives you the best of both worlds by using wood pellets and WiFi. It makes grilling easy to use, whether you are at home or at work. By allowing you to control the temperature remotely with your iPhone or Android phone, it will give you more freedom cooking than ever before.
The unit stands out by having an accurate digital temperature controller that allows 10 different heat settings for smoked, seared, baked, grilled and barbecued dishes. It has Steel Construction with a Double-walled lid and body made of high quality materials known for durability and giving off less smoke. The Camp Chef Woodwind Pellets are all natural hardwood so there is no need for flavor enhancers or added fillers.
It can hold up to a whopping 24 pounds of pellets that will allow you to cook for more than 10 hours before it is necessary for you to refill the hopper. The digital controller controls pellet feeding so there is no risk of overfilling and having a fire on your hands. Since this product uses wood pellets, It does not produce any ash which makes it very easy to clean after cooking.
The Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill WiFi 24″ has an integrated meat probe which allows you to check internal temperatures of your dish remotely with WiFi control unit or free app. Whether you are cooking poultry or roasts as well as baking breads and desserts, the temperature probe let you set desired levels and have the cooking process monitored remotely. The Camp Chef Pellet Grill requires a 120 volt electrical connection in order to use it and is not meant for outdoor use.
The stainless steel construction will ensure a long lasting performance that allows you to cook safely, easily and efficiently while being ergonomically designed with all electric controls that have a good range of space. The heavy duty ash pan allows you to dispose the ashes easily without having to touch them which means no contaminants during cleaning.
Camp Chef SmokePro DLX
Brand: Camp Chef
Model Name: Smoke Pro
Power Source: Wood Pellet
Color: Stainless Steel
Item Weight: 127 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 40.5 x 25 x 22 inches
– The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is a pro level grill with stainless steel construction and easy to use digital controls. With it’s 861 square inches of cooking surface including a removable upper rack, you will have plenty of room for anything. This model comes standard with both: A Digital Pro Controller (upgraded from the standard controller on the other LS pellet grills) and a one pound pellet hopper capacity.
– All three sizes in this series (8, 12 and 18) come with upgraded Digital Pro Controllers as well as an increased hopper size (1/4 lb per auger revolution).
– The SmokePro Ultra has an additional 15k BTU’s or about 30% more heat possible. The increased heat directly correlates to increased searing capabilities.
– All SmokePro DLX Series grills come standard with cast stainless steel grates, a rear slide out ash collector for easy clean up, and the Never-Lift™ fire pot.
– Like all Camp Chef pellet grills it comes standard with an internal temperature sensor which allows you to set your desired cooking temp then walk away. The grill will maintain that heat setting until you shut it off or are within 10 degrees of your setting at which point it will gently cycle down keeping your food warm without over cooking.
– It comes ready to use right out of the box. You can assemble in about 15 minutes using only 7 tools. With only one main cabinet assembly to install, you won’t have to worry about complex systems with multiple pieces. Just bolt on the brackets and knobs and you are done!
– The SmokePro DLX uses a “standard 9mm” thread pattern or common BBQ attachments permitting your favorite cooking accessories from other manufacturers to be used as well.
– This pellet grill is an outstanding value for those who want a professional pellet grilling experience without spending thousands of dollars for a Camp Chef 22k BTU Professional Grill . With an MSRP of only $899, it makes it slightly higher in price than Traeger’s Timberline/Lonestar line of grills but also has many more features. It lists for $1,499 so we find the SmokePro DLX to be a great buy!
– The SmokePro series has been discontinued and replaced by the Bronson. You can still find some available at retailers like Amazon though.
Traeger Ironwood 650
Brand: Traeger
Power Source: Wood Pellet, Charcoal
Color: Black
Item Weight: 149 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 46 x 27 x 47 inches
Fuel Type: Wood, Charcoal
Traeger Ironwood 650, the largest grill in the range! This grill impresses with its stylish look and rustic design. The stainless steel lid can be opened to 135 degrees making it almost possible to bake bread. Grill yourself a romantic candlelight dinner on the side burner.
This grill model has three different main grids: 2x smokeless double wsm grid, 1x searing grid & 1x standard grid; all of them are made of high quality enameled cast iron for durability and ease of use. It also includes an additional lower warming rack that makes this model suitable even for serious barbeque chefs. A rotary ignition system will make life easier by allowing you to start the fire at the touch of a button. Adjustable air vents let you control airflow for individual cooking styles.
The grill grate is made of stainless steel and it has a porcelain-coated water pan that ensures even more succulent cooking. The strong, sturdy legs keep the large 650 sq in grilling surface elevated for draining fluids and storing your grill accessories underneath. Ironwood will become your best friend on camping trips, family reunions and outdoor parties!
Traeger Ironwood Design: 2300 sq in total cooking area; 3 grids (2x double WSM grid, 1x searing grid & 1 standard grid); Side burner with 12k BTU; Rotary ignition system;Adjustable air vents.
Unique features: Stainless steel lid with 135 degrees opening to allow baking bread; Wooden handle stays cool during long hours of use; Porcelain-coated water pan for juicy and tender foods.
Key Spezification: 1 main grids, 2 smokeless double wsm grid, 1 standard grid & 1 searing grid; The smoker box has a capacity of 775 sq in.; Cooking time: 10 to 15 minutes per pound of meat.
Main grids options: Double WSM grid (2x 525 sq in.); Sealing grid (1x 240 sq in.) & Standard grid (1x 210 sq in.).
Metal type: Stainless steel; Type of ignition: Electric Air Provence: International Home Usage: Yes (indoor usage is not recommended) Manufacture Warranty: 5 year Limited Warranty Item Dimensions and Weight : Width 19.3 in. x Depth 19.7 in. x Height 55.4 in.; Weight 83 lbs Shipping Details : Free shipping.
Traeger Grills Pro Series 34
Brand: Traeger
Model Name: 10251
Power Source: Wood Pellet
Color: Bronze
Item Weight: 46.49 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 27 x 53 x 49 inches
Fuel Type: Wood, Charcoal
Specs On The Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill : This is a large unit at almost 60 pounds in weight but has been made with quality in mind from top to bottom with many features below:
-Heavy-duty steel construction -Digital Elite Controller
-Advanced auto start ignition system
-Porcelain enameled grate system
-Digital temperature display
-Onboard meat probe system
-Built-in upper and lower wood chip trays
-Offset firebox works along with the main chamber for increased cooking performance -593 sq. in. of total cooking space on steel grates (additional 18 sq. in. on porcelain enameled top grate)
-Large enough to fit up to 7 large bone-in pork butts or 4 briskets at the same time
See more: 10 Best Portable Gas Grill Consumer Reports and Ratings
The Pros:
– Controls: The Traeger Pro Series 34 pellet grill is one of the best digital systems we have seen as it allows you to control every aspect from low and slow, to hot and smoking within minutes after initial startup. This unit has a builtin meat probe which will give you the exact internal temps of your meat without having to use a external food probe or check at all.
The upper and lower wood chip trays are an added bonus as most other models do not have these standard. Typically you have to purchase them aftermarket with some units costing more than the smoker itself. The upper tray is used for warming your buns, keep meats warm or smoke fish etc while the lower one can hold hot coals along with wood chunks which produce tasty smoke during cooking. Cooking Area: With 593 sq. in of total space on steel grates this unit has plenty of cooking area for turkeys, hams, ribs, briskets or large pork butts. Having this much cooking area allows you to cook at different temps at once which is a nice benefit. The cooking space on porcelain enameled top grate is 18 sq. in. and you can also use this for quick searing if needed, which is another added bonus over some other models we have seen before where they don’t offer these features as standard equipment.
– Pellet Hopper: This unit comes with a large 16 lbs hopper that allows you to cook and smoke for hours without having to worry about refilling or running out of pellets since it will hold up to 120 lbs of wood pellets.
– Temperature Range: This unit offers a diverse range from 160 – 500 degrees F (for hot smoking) along with 170 – 500 degree F (for cold smoking). We have seen some other models that only offer a few of these ranges for smoking before so it is nice to have the added control. Of course, this unit does not use gas or electricity so no temperature changes are really needed if you know how to cook low and slow on your smoker.
– Construction Quality: This unit has been made with quality in mind from top to bottom as it is very well-built with lots of heavy-duty steel parts including the cooking grates since they are porcelain enameled cast iron which makes them easy clean up after each use along with being extremely long lasting. They also come pre-seasoned which means you can put them right into action without worrying about food sticking initially before first use. The firebox is also very large at 40 pounds on its own which means less refills on charcoal.
– Add-ons: This unit comes with lots of add-ons that other brands do not include by default such as the upper and lower wood chip trays, water pan, heat shield for the side firebox door handle etc. The only thing we found missing was a cover for the pellet chute however they offer one separately so it wasn’t an issue to address in our review.
The Cons: Limited Warranty: While this unit has been made with quality in mind some customers have stated that Traeger Grills are known to break down or fail after 6 months of use due to issues with quality control during manufacturing process. We did find some reports of this happening to customers within the 1st year but not many which isn’t completely unheard of for pellet grills. This unit is covered by a 3-year warranty on all parts which is pretty standard when it comes to pellet smokers nowadays so definitely not a deal breaker when you decide on purchase in our opinion.
– Ease Of Use: This unit takes some time to learn and master due to its digital controls and custom settings. It will take most people about 2 days or so until they feel confident enough to use this smoker without having issues with temperature control or getting too hot or cold at times. Most units are fairly easy to use however every brand has its own learning curve associated with them If you are looking for something that is more of an on-off type smoker or you don’t feel like tinkering with valves and settings then this unit may not be for you.
>>> See more: How To Grill Everything (Camp Chef vs Traeger)
Conclusion
The Camp Chef and Traeger pellet grills are both great options for anyone looking to get into the world of smoking, roasting or cooking. Depending on your needs and preferences you may prefer one over the other but if we had to choose a favorite it would be hard not to pick the Camp Chef Pellet Grill with all its features such as WiFi connectivity so that you can monitor your food from anywhere in the house. That said, there is no perfect grill without drawbacks and our review should help you decide which option best suits your needs. Camp Chef vs Traeger? What do you think? Do any of these reasons sway your opinion between these two top brands? Let us know!
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