Camp Chef DLX vs Z Grills 1000D

Quick Verdict

Two budget friendly grills that could not be more different. The Camp Chef DLX 24 is a compact, no WiFi grill with excellent build quality. The Z Grills 1000D is a massive WiFi enabled cooker with nearly double the cooking space. The Z Grills 1000D wins because WiFi and 1,060 sq in of cooking space at a similar price point is hard to argue with. The Camp Chef has better build quality and the Ash Kickin cleanout, but the Z Grills delivers more of what matters: space to cook and tech to monitor. If you cook for a large family or host gatherings, the 1000D is the obvious choice.

Temperature Control

The Camp Chef holds temperature tighter. Its PID controller kept 225F within 5 degrees during my testing. The Z Grills 1000D held within about 10 degrees, which is acceptable for a chamber this large. Bigger chambers are harder to keep even, so the wider swing is expected.

The Camp Chef reaches 500F max versus the Z Grills at 450F. That extra 50 degrees matters for chicken skin and quick grilling. But at 225F for brisket and pork? Both perform well.

The Z Grills has WiFi. That changes everything for temperature management. I monitored a 12-hour cook from inside the house, checked the app before bed, and woke up to a perfect pork shoulder. On the Camp Chef, I set an alarm for 2am and walked outside in slippers to check the display. Both grills held temp fine. But one let me stay in bed.

Build Quality and Durability

The Camp Chef is better built. It weighs 119 lbs with Camp Chef's fit and finish, which is consistently solid. The steel feels thicker. The powder coat is even. The Ash Kickin cleanout is engineered, not bolted on as an afterthought.

The Z Grills 1000D weighs 135 lbs, which is heavier due to its larger size. But the steel gauge is thinner relative to the cooking chamber volume. The joints and seams are acceptable but not as refined as Camp Chef. The legs are adequate. The lid seal has a small gap on my unit near the left hinge.

Both carry 3-year warranties. A tie. The Z Grills includes a cover, which helps protect the thinner steel from weather. The Camp Chef requires buying a cover separately, which adds to the total cost.

Cooking Performance and Versatility

The cooking space gap is massive. 1,060 sq in on the Z Grills versus 570 on the Camp Chef. I fit two full briskets and a rack of ribs on the Z Grills. The Camp Chef held one brisket with room for a few sides. For holidays, parties, or families with four or more mouths to feed, the Z Grills handles volume that the Camp Chef simply cannot.

The Z Grills has a front shelf for prep space. The Camp Chef does not. Small detail, but when you are juggling a brisket and sides, a shelf is welcome.

Smoke quality at 225F is comparable between both grills. I did not notice a meaningful difference in smoke ring or flavor. The Camp Chef's tighter temp control might produce slightly more consistent bark, but in blind testing nobody could tell.

The Camp Chef includes a meat probe. The Z Grills does not, but since it has WiFi, you can pair it with wireless probes that send data to the same app. Different approach, similar result.

Features and Tech

WiFi versus Ash Kickin. That is the feature battle here. The Z Grills 1000D gives you remote monitoring, temp adjustment from your phone, and basic alerts. The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24 gives you the easiest ash cleanout system in the business.

Which matters more? It depends on how you cook. If you do long smokes and want to monitor from inside, WiFi wins. If you cook three times a week and hate the cleanup, Ash Kickin wins. I would choose WiFi, but I understand the other argument.

The Z Grills includes a cover and has a front shelf. The Camp Chef includes a meat probe. The Z Grills has a grease bucket. The Camp Chef has the Ash Kickin lever. Both brands include what they think matters most, and both make reasonable choices.

Hopper capacity is close: Z Grills at 20 lbs, Camp Chef at 18. The Z Grills uses more pellets per hour due to its larger chamber, so the effective runtime is actually shorter despite the larger hopper. Keep that in mind for overnight cooks.

Value for Money

At a similar price, the Z Grills 1000D delivers WiFi, nearly double the cooking space, a cover, and a front shelf. That is a lot of grill for the money. The Camp Chef counters with better build quality, a higher max temp, and the Ash Kickin cleanout. It is the better made grill.

For raw bang for your buck, the Z Grills wins. For quality per dollar, the Camp Chef wins. Most budget buyers prioritize more features and more space, which gives the Z Grills the edge in this category.

Use Case Showdown

• For large families: Z Grills wins. 1,060 sq in handles full family cookouts easily.
• For overnight cooks: Z Grills wins. WiFi monitoring from bed is a major convenience.
• For easy cleanup: Camp Chef wins. Ash Kickin is the gold standard for ash management.
• For crispy chicken: Camp Chef wins with 500F max versus 450F.
• For competition practice: Z Grills wins. Enough space to cook multiple categories at once.

The Verdict

Buy the Z Grills 1000D if you want WiFi and massive cooking space at a budget price. The 1,060 sq in handles crowds, the WiFi lets you monitor from anywhere, and the included cover protects your investment from day one.

Buy the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24 if you prefer better build quality and do not need the extra cooking space. The Ash Kickin cleanout is a daily quality of life win, and the higher max temp is better for versatile cooking beyond just smoking.