Camp Chef Gridiron 36 vs Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24
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Quick take: The Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 costs $160 less; the Camp Chef Gridiron 36 offers more cooking space (604 vs 3 sq in).
| Spec | Camp Chef Gridiron 36 | Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$600 | ~$440 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Griddle | Propane Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 604 sq in | 3 racks in a 24 x 15 in chamber |
| Max Temp | — | 350°F |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Pre-Seasoned Steel | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 4 | 1 |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | No |
| Dimensions | 64 x 24.5 x 42 in | 24 x 16 x 30 in (chamber) |
| Weight | 126 lbs | 75 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Camp Chef Gridiron 36
- ✓Converts between flat-top griddle and grate grilling, which no Blackstone or Weber Slate does
- ✓48,000 BTU across 604 sq in is a higher heat density than the 36-inch Blackstones
- ✓Four independently controlled burners for real zone cooking
- ✓Grease trough is positioned to drain without dragging food through it, a specific fix over older designs
- ✗Dealer-only — Camp Chef's own store lists it as available through local dealers, not direct shipping
- ✗One-year warranty, the same short term as Blackstone
- ✗126 lbs, so it stays where it is put
- ✗Pre-seasoned steel still requires the full rust-management routine
- ✗Renamed from the Flat Top Grill 600, so older reviews and accessory listings use the previous name
Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24
- ✓Six extra inches of width is the difference between fitting a turkey and not - the 18 cannot take one
- ✓Same 20,000 BTU burner in a larger box still holds temperature well because propane does not care about load
- ✓Three full-width grids give real multi-rack capacity without the racks crowding each other
- ✓Was only about $60 above the 18-inch at list, so the wide model was always the better buy of the two
- ✓Clearance pricing near $250 undercuts every currently-produced propane cabinet of this size
- ✗Discontinued - no new production and no listing on campchef.com
- ✗At 75 lbs with no wheels in the box it is awkward to reposition once assembled
- ✗Same thin powder-coated body as the 18: poor cold-weather performance without a blanket
- ✗Camping World's listing puts the factory warranty at 90 days, which is short even for the category
- ✗A bigger chamber on the same burner means longer recovery after you open the door