Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker vs Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18
vs
Quick take: The Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18 costs $20 less; the Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker offers more cooking space (960 vs 2 sq in); the Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker reaches a higher max temp (375 vs 350°F).
| Spec | Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker | Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$400 | ~$380 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Propane Smoker | Propane Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 960 sq in | 2 adjustable racks plus a jerky rack in an 18 x 15 in chamber |
| Max Temp | 375°F | 350°F |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Insulated Steel with Chrome-Coated Racks | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 1 | 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 | 28.7 x 22.8 x 53 in | 18 x 16 x 30 in (chamber) |
| Weight | — | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker
- ✓The ThermoTemp thermostat regulates the burner automatically — the main reason to pick this over a manual-valve propane cabinet
- ✓375°F ceiling is 100°F above the electric cabinets, which is enough to actually crisp chicken and turkey skin
- ✓Runs off a standard 20 lb propane tank with no electricity, so it works at a campsite, a tailgate or during an outage
- ✓960 sq in over four racks matches the 40-inch electric for capacity
- ✓Fully insulated body plus gas heat recovers temperature far faster than electric after the door is opened
- ✓Side wood-chip loading means the door stays shut through the smoke phase
- ✗Propane cabinets are the least precise of the automated smokers — expect ±25°F swings even with the thermostat
- ✗No probes, no app, no digital readout; the door-mounted dial thermometer is the only feedback
- ✗A 20 lb tank runs roughly 18–24 hours at smoking temperature, so long cooks need a spare tank on hand
- ✗Wind affects the burner more than it affects an electric element — a sheltered spot matters
- ✗1-year warranty, and the gas valve assembly is the usual failure point
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