Pellet Fan

Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Camp Chef => Topic started by: Bar-B-Lew on August 24, 2017, 10:51:06 PM

Title: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on August 24, 2017, 10:51:06 PM
Got an email about this today.  Seems like a great price.  Not sure I like the design for the drip pan.  I don't know if the front opens up to pull it out or if you need to remove racks to lift it out.  If I was in the market for something with a lot of capacity, this may be an interesting option.

Camp Chef Smoke Pro (https://www.campchef.com/camp-chef-smokepro-xxl-pellet-smoker.html?trk_msg=FO9CNTPC6VP43FC3FFJTLQMB44&trk_contact=NOA8BUFMU9A8I99T9VTRCHKNFO&trk_sid=KDE30L3IL358U48DGFAM3R47FK&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=SmokePro+XXL+Pellet+Smoker+%7c+Click+to+Buy+Now&utm_campaign=CC201708_xxllaunch&utm_content=version_b)
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Queball on August 26, 2017, 08:47:38 AM
As stated, seems like a lot of capacity and an excellent price!
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: bobsbbq on September 10, 2017, 08:29:29 PM
They have a good capacity. There is at least one place that gas it for 599.00 There is a few reviews on the Camp Chef smokers smoker Facebook group.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bigtoot on September 16, 2017, 04:24:22 PM
I have a xxl coming and should be here weds.  My first pellet smoker.  I wanted a tec tec but never could pull the trigger because I have a number of cookers that do the same thing kind of. But the xxl peaked my interest and ive been waiting for it to be released. Just hope it can hold up full of food in 20-30 degree days. 
Larry
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Queball on September 16, 2017, 05:17:36 PM
Welding blanket time, Bigtoot.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: InThePitBBQ on September 17, 2017, 08:37:41 AM
I like the capacity of this cooker as well, looking forward to seeing how this performs for the price it's going to be a touch act to follow.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bobitis on September 22, 2017, 02:35:46 PM
I must admit that I really like this initially. The footprint being #1.  I have little deck space, and this would fit quite nicely.
If they could only make a door that opened to the right. I'd be sold on that alone.

Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: LowSlowJoe on September 22, 2017, 04:28:42 PM
A lovely young woman named Milissa who runs a Camp Chef user group on Facebook,  got one a week or so ago.  I haven't heard anything about it yet from her, but then I wasn't specifically looking for anything either.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on September 22, 2017, 04:32:13 PM
If I didn't have so many grills already, I would like into buying one of these grills.  The amount of cooking space per $ spent is off the charts and if it can get down to 150 that would be great for jerky.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: LowSlowJoe on September 23, 2017, 06:55:55 PM
If I didn't have so many grills already, I would like into buying one of these grills.  The amount of cooking space per $ spent is off the charts and if it can get down to 150 that would be great for jerky.

What he said...   if that thing will get close to 150F and stay lit... it'd be great for jerky,  bacon, ham...   if it'll do at least 300F it'd be great for lots of stuff too... temperature variation top to bottom would be my other concern...

But... well I do have enough pellet grills and rarely fill my PG500.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on October 30, 2017, 09:25:03 PM
I have a xxl coming and should be here weds.  My first pellet smoker.  I wanted a tec tec but never could pull the trigger because I have a number of cookers that do the same thing kind of. But the xxl peaked my interest and ive been waiting for it to be released. Just hope it can hold up full of food in 20-30 degree days. 
Larry

What are your thoughts on this smoker?
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: j-bo on November 10, 2017, 11:13:25 AM
Myself and another person has looked into these and have emailed camp chef about it.

Simply stated, they "sold out" unexpectedly fast and won't have any until January at the earliest. The other fella said his email said the same.. but also added to his email from camp chef was the point that they were "making modifications" to it.

With the lack of reviews (found 2), and modifications coming, I'd wait on it if someone found any currently in stock.  I'm also wondering if it has issues with getting even heating from top to bottom.

I noticed Cabelas has a knockoff of this made by Masterbuilt, but there aren't any reviews on that one either, nor can I find it on Masterbuilts site at all.

I am interested in as it appears to have more space as I currently have a 40" masterbuilt that I'm used to that space. I'm just not so sure how well it will do and will probably opt for the cabelas magnum pellet grill, which is made by camp chef.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Canadian John on November 10, 2017, 11:37:43 AM
 Welcome j-bo on your first post!
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Just David on November 15, 2017, 11:15:07 PM
I noticed Cabelas has a knockoff of this made by Masterbuilt, but there aren't any reviews on that one either, nor can I find it on Masterbuilts site at all.

Just so you know, I picked up the Masterbuilt one last Friday and have been using it. I love it. If you have any questions, ask away. I think Masterbuilt has a winner with this one (especially for the price).
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on November 16, 2017, 07:37:37 AM
I noticed Cabelas has a knockoff of this made by Masterbuilt, but there aren't any reviews on that one either, nor can I find it on Masterbuilts site at all.

Just so you know, I picked up the Masterbuilt one last Friday and have been using it. I love it. If you have any questions, ask away. I think Masterbuilt has a winner with this one (especially for the price).

Post some pics of the unit.  If it is like the Camp Chef, I would like to see the interior shelves and drip pan/burner area too.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Rolngthun on November 16, 2017, 07:44:10 AM
I noticed Cabelas has a knockoff of this made by Masterbuilt, but there aren't any reviews on that one either, nor can I find it on Masterbuilts site at all.

Just so you know, I picked up the Masterbuilt one last Friday and have been using it. I love it. If you have any questions, ask away. I think Masterbuilt has a winner with this one (especially for the price).

 That peaked my interest. Watching the videos, first thing I noticed was sucking out the pellets with a shop vac. Camp Chef has me spoiled I guess.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Just David on November 16, 2017, 07:55:41 AM
Post some pics of the unit.  If it is like the Camp Chef, I would like to see the interior shelves and drip pan/burner area too.

I can do that. I am out of town today but might be able to post some tonight. You can see a small picture with the door open on Academy's website. The version they sell has a window while the Sportsman Elite version of it that Cabela's sells does not. There are also some videos on Masterbuilt's youtube page which show the interior. Look up the video "Priming the Auger on the Sportsman Elite XL Pellet Smoker" to see drip tray, heat shield, etc.

To me it just feels like a vertical smoker version of a pellet grill, which is something I have been on the lookout for. This weekend I have 100 pounds of turkey and 50 pounds of ham to smoke in it and I am looking forward to it.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Just David on November 16, 2017, 07:59:03 AM
That peaked my interest. Watching the videos, first thing I noticed was sucking out the pellets with a shop vac. Camp Chef has me spoiled I guess.

Yeah, Camp Chef and their ash cleanout system spoils me. I have having to take out drip tray and everything else to clean out ash. That is a definite plus of the XXL over the Masterbuilt.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Rolngthun on November 16, 2017, 08:17:13 AM
 Going off a reply from Masterbuilt on a question asked at the Cabala's web site. It also appears the Camp Chef has a wider range of temps as well. The controller on the Masterbuilt has added features using a timer. Plus it is available. Where the Camp Chef does not appear to be at the moment.
 I think the pellet dump door, ash clean out system, and the wider range of temps are enough to wait for.
 Oh and 3 year warranty VS 1 year. 
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Just David on November 16, 2017, 08:37:43 AM
I think the pellet dump door, ash clean out system, and the wider range of temps are enough to wait for.
Oh and 3 year warranty VS 1 year.

Yeah, the Camp Chef goes from 150-350 (I think). The Masterbuilt does 180-350. One other difference is in the racks. The Masterbuilt has 6 regular racks while the Camp Chef has 4 regular, 3 jerky, and 1 rack with hooks for sausages. 
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Rolngthun on November 16, 2017, 08:50:28 AM
I think the pellet dump door, ash clean out system, and the wider range of temps are enough to wait for.
Oh and 3 year warranty VS 1 year.

Yeah, the Camp Chef goes from 150-350 (I think). The Masterbuilt does 180-350. One other difference is in the racks. The Masterbuilt has 6 regular racks while the Camp Chef has 4 regular, 3 jerky, and 1 rack with hooks for sausages.

 That temp range you describe is better than the one I read. It said 300 for max temp. So that makes the temps less of a factor.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on February 18, 2018, 11:32:08 AM
Post some pics of the unit.  If it is like the Camp Chef, I would like to see the interior shelves and drip pan/burner area too.

I can do that. I am out of town today but might be able to post some tonight. You can see a small picture with the door open on Academy's website. The version they sell has a window while the Sportsman Elite version of it that Cabela's sells does not. There are also some videos on Masterbuilt's youtube page which show the interior. Look up the video "Priming the Auger on the Sportsman Elite XL Pellet Smoker" to see drip tray, heat shield, etc.

To me it just feels like a vertical smoker version of a pellet grill, which is something I have been on the lookout for. This weekend I have 100 pounds of turkey and 50 pounds of ham to smoke in it and I am looking forward to it.

How did this unit handle your big cook?  Any pros or cons about the unit that you care to share?
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on December 04, 2018, 10:16:05 PM
Just got an email today that they started selling this again after some modifications.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: 02ebz06 on June 30, 2020, 02:08:22 PM
Old topic I know, but though I'd post my comments/experiences for anyone thinking of getting one.
This is not intended to be a performance evaluation, just my experience.

I had been with out a grill for some time, and this was on sale, so got it to get smoking again.
Intent was for it to eventually be secondary smoker, primarily for smoking cheese, making jerky, and for side dishes that need a different temp than whatever happened to cooking in primary smoker.

Only used it twice so far, Pork shoulder both times.

Pros:
Lots of Rack Space, Sausage hanging rack. Additional racks can be purchased to fill all rack space.
The ability to empty ashes from burn pot by pulling lever is a nice feature.
Ability to empty Pellet Hopper

Cons:
1) Smoke leaks out all around the doors, but as far as I know, that's typical of most single wall smokers.
    Liquid smoke drips down front.
2) Leaks from various places. All grease does not end up in bucket.
    Recommend getting an automotive oil drip pan, or a rubber mat if you prefer.
    I got a Flo Tool drip 25 x 36 tray. A perfect fit.
    You can order online or get from an auto parts store.
    Not packaged well for online order, came bent in several places. Auto Parts store would be better.
3) Temp swings high. Comparing to my remote thermometer, temp is about 25 degrees higher than the set temp.
    Was evident on the two pork shoulders I cooked. Will set 25 degrees lower next time.

They do sell a blanket for it, which may not be a bad investment.
Welding blanket is a cheaper option, but not sure how they compare.

It is a good unit, the thinks listed above are some things I though might help someone considering buying it.
 


Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on June 30, 2020, 03:42:02 PM
Do they still sell this?  They don't list it with the rest of their pellet grills.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: yorkdude on June 30, 2020, 04:04:41 PM
Do they still sell this?  They don't list it with the rest of their pellet grills.
I looked for them a little bit ago and while I could find them, they all showed sold out?
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: BigDave83 on June 30, 2020, 09:49:32 PM
They redid it I believe and put out a second version of it last year I think. Not sure what was changed.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: 02ebz06 on July 01, 2020, 10:58:20 AM
I bought mine from BBQGuys at end of March.
They show Out of Stock now.
Title: Re: New Smoke Pro XXL
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on July 08, 2020, 04:02:57 PM
They just introduced a new model today.

https://www.campchef.com/xxl-wifi.html?trk_msg=OCONEGTP2FT4F0COD420U4TK50&trk_contact=NOA8BUFMU9A8I99T9VTRCHKNFO&trk_sid=4C1KN5F5PJASRQ8JMDU3CT7HNS&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Learn+More&utm_campaign=%f0%9f%94%a5+The+XXL+got+a+huge+upgrade+%f0%9f%94%a5