When it comes to choosing the best grill for your needs, there are a lot of different options available on the market. Two of the most popular brands are Camp Chef and Traeger. But what’s the difference between these two brands, and which one is right for you?
This article will compare Camp Chef vs Traeger pellet grill product lines to help you decide which one is best for you. We’ll also look at the pros, cons, and best prices available for both brands to help you choose the right one.
Camp Chef vs Traeger – Overviews
Camp Chef was founded in Utah in 1996 and is now one of the leading brands of camp stoves, camp grills, and outdoor cooking equipment. Traeger was founded in Oregon in 1986 and is now the leading brand of wood-fired pellet grills.
Camp Chef Pellet Grills
Camp Chef grills are made from high-quality materials. They feature a variety of innovative features, such as an interchangeable cooktop system that allows you to switch between different cooking surfaces (including gas, charcoal, and cast iron) depending on your needs.
Camp Chef also offers a wide range of accessories to enhance your grilling experience, including a pellet smoker box that adds smoke flavor to your food and a rotisserie kit that lets you cook chicken or other meats on a rotisserie.
Traeger Pellet Grills
Traeger pellet grills are made from high-quality materials and feature a variety of innovative features, such as an automatic start system that ignites the grill with the push of a button. Traeger also offers a wide range of accessories to enhance your grilling experience, including a cover to protect your grill from the elements and a pellet smoker box that allows you to add smoke flavor to your food.
What Are The Differences Between Camp Chef And Traeger Grills?
Camp Chef vs Traeger grills is both high-quality grills. However, Camp Chef offers a wider variety of cooking possibilities, and Traeger provides more features for its customers.
For example, Traeger allows you to cook multiple items at once, and Camp Chef doesn’t. Additionally, Camp Chef is not as easy to use as Traeger, making it difficult for some people to get started.
So here is some detailed head-to-head comparison between these two products.
Size and Weight
Traeger is the perfect choice if you’re looking for small, portable pellet grills that can fit in a small backyard. Camp Chef, on the other hand, is ideal for larger gatherings. Traeger is the better choice if you’re looking for a large, professional-grade grill that can fit in an outdoor kitchen.
Construction
The construction of Traeger is a simple, straightforward design. There’s no assembly required, and Traeger grills are ready to use right out of the box. It is made with high quality and easy to clean materials like stainless steel and cast iron. The cooking grates are made from cast iron, and the heat deflectors are made from stainless steel.
On the other hand, Camp Chef grills require some assembly before they can be used. The legs need to be attached with screws, and a back panel needs to be connected as well. It uses different types of materials for its grills, including stainless steel, porcelain-coated cast-iron, porcelain-coated steel, and hardwood pellets.
There are also different options for the type of burners you can use on your grill, including charcoal, natural gas, or propane gas. Typically, Camp Chef grills are made from high-quality materials and are built to last.
Ease of Use
Camp Chef is not as easy to use as Traeger, making it difficult for some people to get started. However, once you figure out how to use it, Camp Chef is a very versatile grill that offers a variety of cooking possibilities. Traeger is very easy to use and perfect for beginners.
Fire Settings And Heat Output
Traeger and Camp Chef both use gas grills. However, Camp Chef offers a higher fire setting (700 degrees Fahrenheit) while Traeger provides a lower heat setting (500 degrees Fahrenheit). The difference in heat output is significant, so choosing the right grill for your needs is essential.
Cooking Time And Temperature
Traeger’s cooking time and temperature are both more consistent than Camp Chef’s. That doesn’t mean that Traeger is better; it means that Camp Chef doesn’t have as much variability.
Camp Chef grills also have a higher maximum temperature than Traeger grills – 500 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. So if you’re looking for a grill that can cook a variety of different types of food, Traeger is the best option.
Ignition System
Camp Chef pellet grills use a gas-powered ignition system, while Traeger grills use an electronic igniter. This means that Camp Chef grills are easier to get started than Traeger pellet grills.
Price Comparison
Camp Chef grills start at around $500, while Traeger grills start at about $600. However, both brands offer a wide range of models with different price points, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing.
Cooking Surface Area
Camp Chef pellet grills offer a cooking surface area of around 360 square inches, while Traeger grills offer approximately 570 square inches. This means that Camp Chef is better for smaller gatherings, while Traeger is better for larger gatherings.
Warranty
Camp Chef offers a one-year limited warranty on all of its products, while Traeger provides a five-year limited warranty.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
Traeger’s hopper capacity is around 18 pounds of pellets, while Camp Chef’s hopper capacity is about 20 pounds of pellets. This means that Traeger can last a little bit longer without needing to be refilled.
Temperature Range
When it comes to temperature range, Camp Chef and Traeger are both excellent options. However, there are some slight differences between the two. Camp Chef typically has a slightly higher minimum temperature than Traeger, making it ideal for cooking at lower temperatures (such as smoking or slow cooking).
Additionally, Camp Chef’s maximum temperature is usually just a few degrees shy of Traeger’s, making it perfect for those who want to cook at higher temperatures (such as searing or grilling).
So, if you’re looking for an option that can handle both low and high temperatures with ease, either Camp Chef or Traeger would be a great choice.
Temperature Control
The temperature control differences between Camp Chef and Traeger are due to the design of the two pellet grills. Camp Chef has a thinner metal gauge, so it does not retain heat as well as Traeger.
This means that with Camp Chef, you have to set the temperature and then babysit it more closely, while Traeger maintains heat better so you can walk away from it for a while without worrying about the temperature going up or down.
Additional Features
Camp Chef models and Traeger both offer a variety of additional features, such as a side burner, a pizza oven, a sear box, and a pellet smoker.
How We Chose The Best Pellet Grills
You’re probably wondering what the best pellet grill is. You want something that can cook your food with propane gas, right? Well, look no further because we have compiled a list of six quality pellet grills for you!
Our experts analyzed each product based on its cooking performance (especially how hot it burns), price point, and features to ensure these choices make sense in terms of value and safety concerns. All are made by well-known brands like Traeger & Camp Chef so rest easy knowing they will last years.
Top 6 Best Pellet Grills (Reviewed)
1. Best Budget Traeger Grill: Traeger Grills Pro Series 22 Electric Wood Pellet Grill
The Pro Series 22 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker with the Digital Pro Controller is a versatile barbecue cooking machine that lets you choose from 6-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, or BBQ. The Traeger Pro Series 22 is a great addition to any outdoor kitchen. With 350 square inches of primary grilling space and 90 square inches of warming rack space, this smoker can hold enough food for the whole family.
The removable ash bin makes cleaning up after dinner easier than ever before. Enhance your outdoor cooking experience & take your cooking talents to the big leagues with the Traeger Pro 22 from perfect pork ribs, to a better brisket, the Pro 22’s digital Pro Controller with advanced grilling logic will take your grilling game to new heights.
Easily check your food’s temperature without opening the lid with the built-in, dual meat probes. Durability is not even a question with its Sawhorse chassis and powerful steel construction.
[i2pc show_title=”false” show_button=”false” pros_title=”What We Like” cons_title=”What We Don’t Like” ][i2pros]Digital Pro Controller with Advanced Grilling Logic
6-in-1 Versatility to Grill, Smoke, Bake, Roast, Braise or BBQ
Removable Ash Bin for Easy Clean Up
Built-In Dual Meat Probes for Temperature Checking Without Opening the Lid[/i2pros][i2cons]You have to buy the cover separately
Some people found the Pro Controller difficult to use[/i2cons][/i2pc]
2. Best Budget Camp Chef Grill: Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro Slide Smoker
The Camp Chef SmokePro PG24MZG is the best of both worlds. It’s a grill and a smoker in one, which means it’s perfect for grilling up steaks and burgers on the side while smoking slow-cooked ribs or pulled pork. This smoker/grill has digital control with a meat probe to monitor your food as well as an auto-start ignition that makes this product easy to use.
Camp Chef SmokePro Slide is a 24 inch portable, lightweight charcoal smoker that can be easily transported and stored. The Camp Chef SmokePro Slide has a large cooking surface of 280 square inches, which makes it an excellent choice for long smoking sessions with family or friends.
It comes with a removable ash pan to make cleaning easy and is made from durable materials that are built to last for years of grilling fun. The slide-out drawer provides you with extra space to store your wood chips and other items when not in use so you never run out of cooking space.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”What We Like” cons_title=”What We Don’t Like” ][i2pros]Easy to use
Portable and lightweight
Large cooking surface
Easy to clean
Durable construction[/i2pros][i2cons]Some people found the digital control difficult to use
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
3. Best Overall Traeger Grill: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill
The Pro Series 780 is the most advanced Traeger grill ever. Connected home grill technology, precision temperature control, and a new wood-pellet grilling system that allows you to cook like a pro with the touch of a button.
The WiFi-enabled grill connects to your home network, allowing you to monitor and control the cooking temperature from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet device. And once you’ve mastered these skills, use Alexa voice commands to BBQ like a pro on this high-tech grill!
The Traeger App gives you complete control of your grill, allowing you to change temperatures, set timers, and monitor your food from afar. No matter where you are or what time it is, the Traeger App makes cooking easy.
The WiFIRE-enabled controller allows for precision temperature control from 100°- 500°F in 5° increments.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”What We Like” cons_title=”What We Don’t Like” ][i2pros]Comes with WiFi and Alexa capabilities
Precision temperature control
Large cooking surface
Easy to use smart app[/i2pros][i2cons]Lightly more expensive than other models
Some users had trouble connecting the grill to Wi-Fi[/i2cons][/i2pc]
4. Best Overall Camp Chef Grill: Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI Woodwind Pellet Grill
The Camp Chef 24″ WIFI Woodwind Pellet Grill & Smoker is the ultimate outdoor kitchen and smoker. It combines the convenience of gas grilling with the wood-fired taste of a smoker while adding features that make it easy to use. The WiFi-enabled grill allows you to monitor your cooking from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet computer.
This pellet grill also has a built-in meat probe which lets you check how much time is left on your food without ever opening the grill cover. The Slide & Grill feature allows you to switch between Direct and Indirect Flame mode, giving you more versatility with your grill.
With a louvered drip tray, the Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill & Smoker allows flames to reach the bottom grill racks, giving you a wider grill temperature range from 160°F to 650°F.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”What We Like” cons_title=”What We Don’t Like” ][i2pros]Built-in meat probe
Comes with WiFi and Alexa capabilities
Precision temperature control
Large cooking surface
Easy to use Smart app[/i2pros][i2cons]Wi-Fi connectivity is difficult to setup
Smart app doesnt work well with Android[/i2cons][/i2pc]
5. Best Premium Traeger Grill: Traeger Grills Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is the ultimate way to achieve wood-fired taste without having to use gas or charcoal. The Ironwood 885 takes it to the next level with precise temperature control, WiFi connectivity, and Alexa voice control. This grill offers 6-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ all on the same grill.
A family-friendly grill that delivers on all fronts, the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is a functional workhorse that can handle everything from your everyday cooking needs to smoking for the holidays.
The porcelain-enameled grates make clean-up easy, while the D2 drivetrain provides maximum performance. With a total of 885 sq in grilling space, this grill accommodates ten chickens or seven rib racks, or nine pork butts with ease.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”What We Like” cons_title=”What We Don’t Like” ][i2pros]Voice-controlled with Alexa
6-in-1 cooking versatility
Large grilling surface area
Easy to clean porcelain grill grates[/i2pros][i2cons]No side shelves included
Some assembly required[/i2cons][/i2pc]
6. Best Premium Camp Chef Grill: Camp Chef 36 in. WiFi Woodwind Pellet Grill with Sear Box
The Camp Chef WiFi Woodwind is an amazing pellet grill that lets you monitor your cooking from a smartphone app, control the temperature and smoke from your phone and even turn on the grill lights. It’s got a huge drip pan with side drain access to make cleanup easy.
This grill also features three meat probes, which allow you to track the temperature of multiple portions of meat at once. You can use it as a smoker or griddle, or use it for slow cooking by adding your favorite wood pellets. The Camp Chef 36″ WiFi Woodwind is a great addition to any outdoor kitchen.
This pellet grill even has an extra-large cooking area and comes with an additional side burner which makes it perfect for entertaining or tailgating. The grill features WiFi capability, allowing you to monitor your meat temperature, control the smoker and access online recipes from anywhere.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”What We Like” cons_title=”What We Don’t Like” ][i2pros]3 meat probes included
Extra-large cooking area
Additional side burner[/i2pros][i2cons]Some assembly required
WiFi cuts out in some areas[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Which Grill Is The Best Choice For You?
Choosing the best grill herein depends on your needs! Traeger is the better option if you’re looking for a small, portable pellet grill with a high heat output and consistent temperature. Additionally, Traeger grills have more features than Camp Chef grills, including Wi-Fi connectivity and meat probes.
So if you’re in the pellet grill market and want lots of bells and whistles, then a Traeger grill is the best choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a large grill that can cook various types of food, Camp Chef is the better option.
