Camp Chef Apex 36
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The Camp Chef Apex is one of the only grills on the market that combines a true pellet smoker with a true gas grill in one unit. Smoke a brisket on the pellet side, sear steaks on the gas side, all on the same cart.
What We Love
- +Genuine dual-fuel: pellet smoker + gas grill side-by-side
- +Pellet section: 811 sq in, PID controller, WiFi
- +Gas section: 3 stainless burners with sear station
- +Solves the pellet grill's main weakness (poor searing)
- +Slide-out ash cleanup
- +5-year warranty on both fuel systems
Watch Out For
- −$1,499 is premium pricing
- −Takes up significant patio space (76 in wide)
- −Pellet side is good but not best-in-class
- −Gas side is good but not best-in-class
- −Assembly is a 4-hour project
Specifications
Pellet Area
811 sq in
Gas Area
513 sq in
Hopper
22 lbs
Gas BTUs
37,000
Material
Heavy-gauge steel
Warranty
5 years
The Full Review
The Apex is the answer to 'I want one grill that does everything.' Reverse-seared ribeyes are the killer use case — smoke the steaks on the pellet side at 225°F until 115°F internal, then move them to the screaming-hot gas side for a 45-second sear per side. The result is steakhouse-quality, and you never had to manage two grills.
The pellet section is solidly mid-tier. PID controller, WiFi, 811 sq in — comparable to a Pit Boss Sportsman 820 or Traeger Pro 780. Temperature holds ±10°F in mild weather. Smoke flavor is decent but not as pronounced as a Yoder or Lone Star.
The gas section is similarly mid-tier — 3 stainless burners, 37,000 BTUs, a dedicated sear station. It cooks well but won't compete with a $1,500 dedicated gas grill like a Napoleon Prestige.
The genius is the integration. You get 85% of a great pellet grill plus 85% of a great gas grill in one footprint for $1,499. Buying both separately at the same quality level would run $2,200+.
How Does It Compare?
At a glance against its closest pellet grill rivals.
| Grill | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Chef Apex 36 (this) | 4.5 | $1,499 | Pellet smoking plus gas searing in one grill — the dual-fuel hybrid that solves the pellet grill's biggest weakness. |
| Broil King Regal Pellet 500 | 4.5 | $1,199 | The Canadian-engineered pellet grill with a cast iron sear plate and dual-zone cooking that bridges the gap between pellet and gas. |
| Traeger Ironwood 885 | 4.7 | $1,799 | Traeger's premium pellet grill with WiFIRE, Super Smoke mode, and double-wall insulation. |
Who Is It For?
Backyard cooks who want one grill that handles everything. People with patio space for a 76-inch grill. Cooks who currently own a pellet grill and a gas grill and want to consolidate.
Final Verdict
The Camp Chef Apex 36 at $1,499 is the best hybrid grill on the market. If you've been agonizing over whether to buy a pellet or a gas grill, this is the answer. It does both, and the integration is genuinely well-executed.
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