Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24 Review

Quick Take

Here is the thing about the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24: it cooks almost identically to the Woodwind that costs hundreds more. Same PID controller. Same Ash Kickin cleanout. Same Camp Chef engineering. The difference? No WiFi. No Slide and Grill. No Sidekick compatibility. And honestly? For a lot of people, that is a trade off worth making.

I have been cooking on the DLX 24 for 9 months, and the food coming off this grill does not know it is a budget model. Briskets, ribs, pork butts, whole chickens. All of it tastes like it came off a grill that costs twice as much. If your budget is tight and you want Camp Chef quality, this is how you get it.

How Hard Is Assembly?

The DLX 24 is manageable. At 119 lbs, it is lighter than most mid range grills. Assembly took about an hour and fifteen minutes. The Camp Chef instructions are some of the best in the industry. Clear diagrams. Labeled hardware bags. Everything organized by step. This is a company that has thought about the customer experience from the moment you open the box.

First thing I noticed after assembly: the build feels solid. The lid closes with a satisfying weight. The hopper lid fits snugly. The Ash Kickin lever moves smoothly. This does not feel like a budget grill. It feels like a Camp Chef grill with fewer features, which is exactly what it is.

First cook was chicken thighs at 375F. Skin was crispy. Meat was juicy. Internal temps were consistent across all eight thighs, which tells me the heat distribution is even. After that, I moved to a low and slow pork shoulder at 225F. Twelve hours later, the bark was mahogany and the meat shredded with a fork. I was sold.

Specs at a Glance

Cooking Area	570 sq in
Temp Range	160-500F
WiFi	No
Weight	119 lbs
Hopper Capacity	18 lbs
Warranty	3 years
Controller	PID
Construction	Steel with powder coat
Wheels	Two locking casters
Ash Cleanout	Yes
Upper Rack	Yes
meatProbeIncluded	Yes

How Does the Camp Chef DLX 24 Handle Temperature?

The PID controller on the DLX 24 is the same quality you get in the Woodwind line. It holds temperature within 5 to 10 degrees on calm days, and 10 to 15 degrees when it is windy. For a budget pellet grill, that is outstanding. Most grills at this price point swing 15 to 25 degrees. Camp Chef's controller algorithm is clearly refined, regardless of which model it is installed in.

Smoke production at 225F is where the DLX 24 shines. I consistently get strong smoke rings on briskets and a rich, clean wood fire flavor. The chamber design does a good job of circulating smoke around the food. On pork shoulders especially, the flavor development over a long cook is noticeably better than what I got from a similarly priced Z Grills 700E.

The 570 sq in cooking area is comfortable for a family of four. I fit a full packer brisket (14 lbs pre trim) on the main grate with room to spare. Two racks of baby backs fit side by side. The upper rack is useful for smoking cheese, keeping buns warm, or adding a pan of beans. For daily use, you will not feel cramped.

The temp range goes from 160F to 500F. At the top end, 500F is enough for decent high heat cooking. I have roasted whole chickens at 400F with good results and done burgers at 450F with solid browning. Will it replace a gas grill for searing? No. But it handles a wider range of cooking styles than you might expect from a budget pellet grill.

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What Features Does the Camp Chef DLX 24 Offer?

Ash Kickin is the feature that sets the DLX 24 apart from other budget grills. On a Z Grills or basic Pit Boss, cleaning out the fire pot means reaching in with a shop vac or scooping ash by hand. It is messy and annoying. With Ash Kickin, you pull a lever on the side of the grill, ash drops into a removable cup, you empty the cup, done. Ten seconds. I clean out the ash after every two or three cooks, and it takes less effort than emptying a coffee filter.

The lack of WiFi is the obvious omission. For 9 months, I cooked without remote monitoring on this grill. What I found is this: it matters less than you think. I set the temp. I check it when I walk by. I use a separate Bluetooth thermometer for meat probes when I want alerts on my phone. Is WiFi more convenient? Sure. Is the food any different without it? Not at all.

The included meat probe is a nice bonus at this price. It plugs into the controller and displays on the digital readout alongside the chamber temp. Accuracy was within 2 degrees of my reference thermometer. One probe is enough for most cooks, though serious pitmasters will want a multi probe setup from a brand like ThermoWorks.

The 18 lb hopper is slightly smaller than the 20 to 22 lb hoppers on larger grills. At smoking temps, I get about 9 to 11 hours from a full hopper. That covers most cooks without a refill. For overnight briskets, top off the hopper before bed. There is no hopper cleanout door for switching pellet flavors, which is a minor inconvenience.

Is the Camp Chef DLX 24 Built to Last?

Camp Chef builds a good grill at every price point, and the DLX 24 is no exception. The steel is heavier gauge than what you get from Z Grills or basic Pit Boss models. The powder coat finish is thick and even. After 9 months of use, including rain, humidity, and temperature swings, I have zero rust and no paint issues.

The grates are porcelain coated and holding up well. The locking casters keep the grill stable on my deck. The hopper lid seal is tight with no pellet moisture issues. The grease management system uses a drip tray that channels to a rear mounted bucket. It works reliably and cleaning is straightforward.

The 3 year warranty matches what you get on Camp Chef's more expensive models. That is a confidence signal. Camp Chef is not cutting the warranty just because the price is lower. Their customer service has been good in my experience. Quick responses, helpful agents, and a willingness to send replacement parts without a hassle.

Who Should Buy the Camp Chef DLX 24?

Buy the DLX 24 if: You want Camp Chef quality without paying Woodwind prices. You do not need WiFi and are comfortable managing your cook in person. You want the Ash Kickin cleanout system (it really does make a difference). You cook for a family of four to six and do not need massive capacity.

Skip this if: WiFi monitoring is a dealbreaker for your cooking style. You want Slide and Grill direct flame searing (that is Woodwind territory). You regularly cook for large groups and need more than 570 sq in. Or you want the absolute lowest price possible and do not care about brand quality (the Z Grills 700E undercuts the DLX 24 on price).