Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24
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The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24 is the pellet grill I recommend to first-time pellet buyers more than any other model. It's the grill that gets the fundamentals right — clean PID temperature control, a thoughtfully designed ash cleanout, and Camp Chef's well-earned reputation for build quality — without the premium price that scares off newcomers.
What We Love
- +Patented Ash Cleanout system empties the firepot in seconds
- +PID digital controller holds temps within ±20°F
- +573 sq in cooking area with secondary upper rack
- +Sidekick attachment port lets you add searing/griddle accessories later
- +Heavy 18-gauge steel construction at a sub-$500 price
- +Two meat probes included standard
Watch Out For
- −No WiFi or app connectivity (not surprising at this price)
- −Maximum temp tops out around 500°F — true searing requires accessories
- −Hopper holds 18 lbs (smaller than premium pellet grills)
- −Sidekick accessory is a separate purchase
Specifications
Cooking Area
429 sq in main + 144 sq in upper rack (573 sq in total)
Temp Range
160°F – 500°F
Hopper
18 lbs
Controller
PID digital with dual meat probes
Construction
18-gauge steel cabinet, porcelain grates
Weight
127 lbs
Warranty
3 years
The Full Review
Camp Chef built its reputation on the SmokePro line, and the DLX 24 remains the best entry into the brand. This is the grill that introduces new pellet cooks to the platform without overwhelming them with features they don't need yet.
The Ash Cleanout system alone justifies the brand premium. Every other pellet grill in this price range requires you to shop-vac the firepot every few cooks. The Camp Chef has a small lever under the firepot — pull it, and ash falls into a removable cup below. This is a 30-second job versus a 15-minute pellet grill cleaning ritual.
The PID controller is the other unexpected win. At $479, you typically get a basic thermostat that ramps temps in 20-25°F oscillations. The Camp Chef's PID holds ±20°F or better across long cooks. I ran a 12-hour pork shoulder cook in early Minnesota spring and the grill held 225°F within a 15°F window the entire time.
What you give up at this price is connectivity and peak temperature. There's no app. The grill maxes out around 500°F (genuinely useful for chicken skin but not for steakhouse searing). For that, Camp Chef sells the Sidekick — a propane sear box that bolts to the side port and hits 900°F+.
Build quality is genuinely Camp Chef. The cabinet is heavy 18-gauge steel. The grates are porcelain-coated steel that handles years of weather without rusting. After two winters outside under a cover, mine looks essentially new.
How Does It Compare?
At a glance against its closest pellet grill rivals.
| Grill | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24 (this) | 4.5 | $479 | The entry-level pellet grill that quietly punches above its price. |
| Z Grills 700D | 4.3 | $469 | The Amazon best-seller that punches above its weight — 694 sq in, PID controller, and a price that undercuts everyone. |
| Z Grills 7002B | 4.2 | $429 | The best-selling budget pellet grill on Amazon — 694 sq in, $429, and 4. |
Who Is It For?
First-time pellet grill buyers who want to learn the platform without overspending. Backyard cooks who already own a separate gas grill for searing. Anyone who appreciates that Camp Chef builds value into the parts that matter (controller, construction) rather than gimmicks.
Final Verdict
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24 is the smartest sub-$500 pellet grill purchase you can make. The ash cleanout, PID controller, and Camp Chef build quality combine into a grill that genuinely competes with $800 models. If you're new to pellet cooking, start here. Want to compare against Traeger's entry point? Read our [Traeger vs Pit Boss vs Camp Chef breakdown](/compare/pellet-grill-vs-gas-grill).
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