Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 vs Camp Chef XXL Pro WiFi Vertical Pellet Smoker
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Quick take: The Camp Chef XXL Pro WiFi Vertical Pellet Smoker costs $449 less; the Camp Chef XXL Pro WiFi Vertical Pellet Smoker offers more cooking space (2,408 vs 811 sq in); the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 reaches a higher max temp (500 vs 350°F).
| Spec | Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 | Camp Chef XXL Pro WiFi Vertical Pellet Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,349 | ~$900 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Pellet Grill |
| Cooking Area | 811 sq in | 2408 sq in (3 smoking racks, 3 jerky racks, 1 hanging rack with 12 sausage hooks) |
| Max Temp | 500°F | 350°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Wood Pellets |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 22 lb | 30 lb |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 50 x 26 x 44.5 in | 24 x 15.5 x 55 in |
| Weight | 182 lbs | 145 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Pros & cons
Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24
- ✓The Smoke Box is the killer feature - burning real wood chunks or charcoal gives it the deepest, most authentic smoke flavor of any pellet grill, close to a stick burner
- ✓It includes four meat probe ports built into the controller, more than almost any competitor, so you can monitor multiple proteins at once
- ✓The PID controller and full-color screen hold temps accurately and the menu is intuitive to navigate
- ✓The patented ash-cleanout cup lets you dump ash in seconds by pulling a lever - one of the easiest cleanups in the category
- ✓It's compatible with the Sidekick attachment, turning the side into a sear station, griddle, or burner for huge versatility
- ✓811 sq in handles big cooks, and the Smoke Box mode plus pellets gives you fine control over how heavy the smoke is
- ✓Build quality and value are strong for the price, and Camp Chef's reputation for solid customer support reassures buyers
- ✓The slide-and-grill direct-flame option lets you get higher heat for searing than a typical indirect-only pellet grill
- ✗The Smoke Box requires tending - you feed it wood every 30-60 minutes, so it's less truly 'set and forget' than a plain pellet grill
- ✗Running the Smoke Box well has a learning curve, and getting the airflow and smoke right takes a few cooks to dial in
- ✗WiFi connectivity and the Camp Chef Connect app are the weak link, with owners reporting drops and pairing headaches
- ✗At ~$1,200 it's priced near premium territory while still using powder-coated rather than stainless construction
- ✗Without the Smoke Box engaged, its smoke output on pellets alone is only average for the category
- ✗The 3-year warranty matches Traeger but trails Recteq's 6 years at a similar price
- ✗It's heavy at 182 lbs and the Smoke Box adds bulk on the side, increasing the footprint
- ✗Some owners report the auger or igniter needing service after a couple seasons, typical for the category
Camp Chef XXL Pro WiFi Vertical Pellet Smoker
- ✓2,408 sq in is roughly four times a Weber Smokey Mountain 22 and more than any other vertical in this catalog
- ✓The Smoke Box addresses the standard complaint about pellet smoke being thin - it burns chunks, not just pellets
- ✓Dedicated jerky racks and a 12-hook sausage hanger mean it is genuinely set up for charcuterie, not just barbecue
- ✓30 lb hopper plus a WiFi PID controller is a true overnight, phone-monitored cook
- ✓Smoke Number 1-10 lets you dial smoke density independently of temperature, which most pellet controllers cannot
- ✗Discontinued: absent from campchef.com, whose vertical-pellet-smoker collection page now lists zero products
- ✗350°F ceiling - it cannot grill, sear or crisp anything, which is the trade for the vertical layout
- ✗145 lbs and 55 inches tall, and the pellet hopper hangs off the side, so it needs real space
- ✗Two heat sources (auger and smoke box) mean two things to clean and two failure points
- ✗Parts and controller support for a discontinued Camp Chef electronic product is a genuine risk at this price