Camp Chef Gridiron Gameday vs Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18
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Quick take: The Camp Chef Gridiron Gameday costs $130 less; the Camp Chef Gridiron Gameday offers more cooking space (425 vs 2 sq in).
| Spec | Camp Chef Gridiron Gameday | Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$250 | ~$380 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Griddle | Propane Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 425 sq in | 2 adjustable racks plus a jerky rack in an 18 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 | 2 | 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 | — | 18 x 16 x 30 in (chamber) |
| Weight | — | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Camp Chef Gridiron Gameday
- ✓425 sq in is close to a full-size 28-inch griddle's surface in a transportable unit
- ✓Locking hinged lid means it travels as a closed box and doubles as a wind block in use
- ✓Two independent burners allow a hot side and a holding side, rare in portables
- ✓Redesigned grease drain aimed specifically at cleanup away from a hose
- ✓$250 undercuts most 28-inch fixed griddles while cooking nearly as much
- ✗Camp Chef does not publish a weight or assembled dimensions for it, which matters a lot for a portable
- ✗24,000 BTU over 425 sq in is a lower heat density than a full-size griddle — slower recovery
- ✗One-year warranty
- ✗Listed as pre-order on Camp Chef's site as of Sept 2026, so lead times may apply
- ✗Pre-seasoned steel plate needs the usual oiling and rust care, harder on the road
Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18
- ✓A propane burner holds a set temperature far more steadily than charcoal without any electricity, fan or controller
- ✓160°F at the bottom of the range is genuinely low enough for jerky and cold-ish smoking, which most propane cabinets cannot reach
- ✓Three separate damper valves let you tune smoke density independently of temperature - unusual at this price
- ✓Matchless snap ignition and a door-mounted thermometer mean it lights and runs without tools
- ✓Cast-iron chip tray puts out smoke for much longer per load than the stamped-steel trays on cheaper cabinets
- ✓Clearance stock has been running near $200, which is a lot of smoker for the money
- ✗Discontinued in April 2026 - no new production, and parts support will thin out over the next few years
- ✗Absent from campchef.com altogether, so specifications and manuals now have to be found through retailers
- ✗Powder-coated thin-gauge steel body loses heat badly in wind and cold; an insulating blanket is close to mandatory below 40°F
- ✗The door thermometer reads the air near the glass, not at grate level, and is commonly 20-30°F optimistic
- ✗No probe ports, no meat probe, no electronics of any kind