Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker vs Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24
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Quick take: The Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker costs $40 less; the Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker offers more cooking space (960 vs 3 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 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$400 | ~$440 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Propane Smoker | Propane Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 960 sq in | 3 racks in a 24 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 | 24 x 16 x 30 in (chamber) |
| Weight | — | 75 lbs |
| 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 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