Smoking and grilling season is slowly starting to rear its head and what is a better time to check out two of the top models on the market? The wood pellet grill and smoker will provide you with a large cooking space, an efficient smoking control system, and a relatively simple clean-up system. In this review, we’ll compare the PIT BOSS Pellet Grill vs Camp Chef SmokePro DLX.
By analyzing units’ constructions, the total cooking areas, price points, and the hoppers among other things, we’ve narrowed the market’s top models to the two aforementioned smokers. So, let’s get to it.
Camp Chef SmokePro DLX vs PIT BOSS 700FB Comparison:
1. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
We’ll kick off the comparison and pellet BBQ reviews with the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill. As is the case with many grills on the market, this Camp Chef unit has two side tables. These side tables measure roughly 16 by 18 inches and provide plenty of workable space during your grilling and smoking sessions.
The SmokePro DLX has a 19.5 by 22-inch grilling area and its smoking rack dimensions are six by 24 inches. The unit as a whole is constructed from strong stainless steel.
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX also has a one-pull ash cleanout, a grease management system, and a pellet purge system. This cleaning system makes the SmokePro DLX the easiest pellet grill to clean.
This auto-feed pellet smoker is capable of producing 25,000 BTU per hour and can reach up to about 500ºF.
The SmokePro DLX is also two-wheeled and can be moved around by slightly tipping the unit on these wheels.
In addition to its mobility, the grill offers a quite large, 570 square inch total cooking area and has an auto-ignite feature.
It also comes with a stainless steel meat temperature probe and is equipped with an EZ hopper release. The SmokePro DLX is noted as the pellet grill for the money and is even considered one of the wood pellet grills under $500.
The Camp Chef unit’s large, 570-square-inch grilling area can be separated into two parts. First, we have the main area (rack), which accounts for 429 square inches. Then there is the secondary rack (or warming rack), which accounts for roughly 144 square inches of additional cooking area.
The unit also sports the standard digital electric pellet smoker which makes the use of the smoker simple and more controlled.
It turns on with the flip of an on/off switch and it has a dial that allows you to specify the temperature or smoke level you wish to maintain.
The range of temperatures that the grill/smoker works between is 160 to over 400ºF.
Additionally, the included probe connects directly to the electric unit so that the automatic temperature control and pellet feeding work smoothly.
When it comes to the hopper itself, holds roughly 18 pounds of pellets. The pellets are loaded into the smoker from the hopper via an automatic auger that works for peak efficiency and to maintain temperatures throughout a smoking session.
The overall height of the SmokePro unit reaches roughly 45 inches and the first cooking grate occurs at about 32 inches of height.
The smoking chamber’s capacity boasts a large 3,778 cubic inches. The Camp Chef SmokePro also weighs just about 140 pounds so it’s sturdy yet not too heavy to maneuver.
So let’s jump into the uniqueness of the Camp Chef SmokePro and what makes it stand out from the competition:
- The Camp Chef SmokePro has two side tables for working on and prepping food while using the smoker, as opposed to one
- Wider smoke release stack atop the smoker
- One-pull ash clean-up sits below the smoker as opposed to releasing the ask to the side
Benefits of the Camp Chef SmokePro compared to the PIT BOSS Pellet Grill:
- The SmokePro DLX is slightly taller than the PIT BOSS by about two inches. It’s not an extraordinary difference but could be a deciding factor for taller/shorter folks
- Comes with a built-in “shutdown mode” that shuts down the smoker/grill in a proper cycle
- The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX is compatible with just about any brand of pellets
Reservations about the Camp Chef SmokePro compared to the PIT BOSS Pellet Grill:
- The Camp Chef SmokePro is roughly 20 pounds heavier than the PIT BOSS model
- The PIT BOSS Pellet Grill model has a built-in temperature gauge on the lid and the Camp Chef SmokePro doesn’t
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill stands out due to its reputable brand name, affordable price, and high consumer ratings.
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX is also compatible with accessories such as sear boxes, which makes the unit highly versatile and a bit more customizable than others.
The Camp Chef SmokePro also boasts the built-in “Shutdown mode,” which doesn’t seem to be the case with the PIT BOSS model.
However, being a grill/smoker, the SmokePro DLX also shares some similarities and features with the PIT BOSS that aren’t all that different, such as its height and overall design style. So having made these distinctions, let’s see what the PIT BOSS Pellet Grill brings to the conversation.
2. PIT BOSS 700FB Pellet Grill
While the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX offers incredible features at an incredible price, the PIT BOSS keeps a pretty good pace with it. Right off the bat, a noticeable difference between the two is that the PIT BOSS only has one side table.
While the actual dimensions of this side table aren’t listed, the working space appears to be pretty similar to that of the Camp Chef, perhaps an inch or so smaller in terms of width. This side table doubles as the lid to the hopper section of the unit.
The PIT BOSS Pellet Grill has an ash-catching bucket on the right, the bottom side of the smoking chamber that makes cleaning a relatively simple process, despite not being quite as effective as the Camp Chef clean-up system.
This grill/smoker from PIT BOSS can be considered one of the beginner pellet grills for its ease of use and built-in temperature gauge on the lid.
And while the BTU output isn’t explicitly stated for this unit, it can still reach up to roughly 500ºF. Its working temperature range stretches from roughly 180 to 600ºF.
The PIT BOSS model is also two-wheeled like the Camp Chef SmokePro, with the wheels being attached to the right side legs.
Not only is the unit mobile and maneuverable, but it also has a humongous 700 square inches of total cooking space, which is dramatically larger than the competition in the discussion here.
When it comes to pellet-burning grills, this 700 square inches of cooking space is among the upper limits, that is unless you plan on paying double what you’d pay for the PIT BOSS 700FB.
The unit is comprised of steel throughout the smoker aside from the cooking grates, which are listed as porcelain-coated, cast iron grates. Its ignition is completely electrical, as is seemingly the standard in today’s market, and the smoker sports a satin finish.
Now the unit might not be the number one pellet grill on the market, but it isn’t exactly miles behind that nomination either.
The unit, as does the Camp Chef model, sports the standard digital electric control board, which makes the use of the smoker simple and more controlled.
It has an extremely simple on/off switch and it has a dial that allows you to specify the temperature or smoke level you’re going to be working with.
However, unlike the Camp Chef model, the PIT BOSS 700FB doesn’t come with a meat probe to help you understand where your food is at in its grilling/smoking process.
When it comes to the hopper, the PIT BOSS model only holds about five pounds. The pellets are loaded into the smoker from the hopper via an automatic auger, just as is the case with the Camp Chef model. The PIT BOSS model sits about 43 inches high and is at most, roughly 25 inches wide.
The unit weighs only 118 pounds, so the grill/smoker is extremely easy to move around on its wheels for just about anyone. Additionally, the PIT BOSS unit has a small storage rack between its legs, just above the ground.
So, what are the unique features of the PIT BOSS? Let’s take a look:
- The PIT BOSS 700FB has a built-in temperature gauge on the exterior of the lid, making reading the temperature simple
- The unit has a storage rack just above the ground that spans the area between all of the legs
- The PIT BOSS natural wood pellets are 100% natural with zero added products
Benefits of the PIT BOSS 700FB compared to the Camp Chef model:
- As has been mentioned, this unit has an external temperature gauge that the Camp Chef model doesn’t
- Has a storage rack below the smoking unit for holding tools, trays, etc.
- Immensely larger cooking area of 700 square inches as compared to the 570 of the Camp Chef model
- The PIT BOSS is roughly 20 pounds lighter than the Camp Chef model, which makes maneuverability a bit easier
Reservations about the PIT BOSS 700FB compared to the Camp Chef model:
- The PIT BOSS 700FB doesn’t come with a meat probe to help the unit operate efficiently
- The cleanup system is a bit less efficient than the Camp Chef model
Conclusion
So, what does this tell us? If you plan on needing tons of space for smoking larger meals and foods then this high-end pellet smoker grill is probably for you.
However, the consumer ratings fall just short of those of the Camp Chef model and for that reason, we suggest this unit for beginners rather than highly experienced smokers.
An important note from consumers is that other branded pellets can sometimes clog up in the PIT BOSS system, so beware of that. Aside from their clean-up system, storage rack, temperature gauge, and cooking area, the PIT BOSS and Camp Chef models share similarities.
Takeaways
So as has been mentioned, the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX is preferential to the more experienced grillers and smokers, and the PIT BOSS 700FB model is ideal for beginners.
However, the SmokePro DLX is slightly taller (again, only two inches) than the PIT BOSS model and could be easier to access and work with for taller folks despite the difference being minimal.
The meat probe that’s included with the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX does give the model an edge over the PIT BOSS thanks to its effectiveness in bolstering temperature maintenance.
So, essentially, the Camp Chef and PIT BOSS models are very similar, especially in price. What that means is that the model that’s best for you will be determined by your experience behind the smoker/grill and the workspace and storage space you might need on your smoker. Go check them out and get your new smoker today!
