Camp Chef 18-Inch Smoke Vault Propane Gas Smoker

I have had nothing but great results with my Smoke Vault 24". Great temp control. Sturdy burner, built to last. I would like to see a deeper/sturdier water pan but this one works (I line it with foil each time for easy clean-up). My first propane box smoker (a different brand) had a nice cast iron smoke box with slotted lid which would be a nice upgrade for the Camp Chef; however even that other brand has now gone to a lighter, thin steel type smoker tray. Great smoker, worth the money and will last a long time with proper care. Propane .vs charcoal or pellets? Not sure that even an "expert" would notice the difference. Smoke is smoke, regardless of the fuel. The convenience and temperature consistency of propane surely beats tending and re-stoking charcoal/wood fires.

I converted a 24" unit to NG and could not be happier with is unit. I was a rookie but after 3 seasons and 100's of pounds of ribs, chicken, prime rib, rib eye, sausage and the best ever brisket I'm getting the hang of this. Our fav is bacon wrapped scallops. Smoked salmon to rival any store brand. Bacon wrapped lobster anyone? When hickory smoke fills the air it's a sure sign good stuff is about to happen. Love this unit. I've use Camp Chef equipment at Elk camp for over a decade and that my friends is the true test of durability. Thanks.

3 users found this review helpful

I received this as a corporate gift (great company!) and have used it several times with fantastic results - pork butts, brisket, oysters, pork belly. I never used a smoker until I got the Smoke Vault 18" and found it really easy to set up and use.

3 users found this review helpful

After years of consideration, reading reviews and getting totally confused as people do have their own opinions on fuel (stick burner, charcoal, gas, both NG and Propane, or pellet) I finally made up my mind, fuel is fuel, wood is smoke. Propane is steady and reliable, although I did convert the 24 to NG. I never run out of fuel. The 24 is simple to use, water, wood, set temp, however as mentioned above, the door therm can be off so I do suggest a dual probe thermometer to know what the ambient temperature is in the box and what the product temperature is. I am a bbq seasoning blender by trade and have my own line of products which get tested on my grills, in this smoker and of course in my kitchen. The 24 gives me repeatable results and I must say, I can produce Q of the highest quality in my 24. Yes, even better than most BBQ joints, and I have been to plenty of them. PS, soaking your smoking wood does not give any advantage.

So, as I tell my wife, each grill or smoker has it's own job to do. There is no such thing as a do it all from my years of experience. I truly enjoy using this smoker for its ease of use, size and consistency. Plenty of area for the wood chips or small chunks. Plenty of volume in the water pan. Plenty of rack slots and width for cooking your meat of choice. I especially like the slide out bottom tray so it can be cleaned or just wrap it in foil for even easier clean up. Is there a negative? No exactly but any one who grills or smokes alot knows the stock thermometer may not be the best. I have a remote digital thermometer I use. Don't let the hard core " I only use wood or charcoal." cooks deter you, I have three of them in various sizes and I like this smoker tremendously!! Enjoy the purchase!

I have owned this for almost 2 years now. I have never had a bad meal while using it. I have smoked just about every kind of meat on it and it comes out tasting better than my favorite barbecue restaurant. I converted mine to natural gas so the convenience of not getting propane tanks. You can literally set this smoker and forget about it. You will only need to add water to the water pan in about 3-4 hours.

3 users found this review helpful

First, I love this smoker and Camp Chef products. I rate this at 4 stars because while assembling mine, I had parts that did not line up. The problem items were the lining up of the burner, knob and bezel. As a result, the knob does not quite turn as freely as it is designed to. Other than that, I have had good results cooking!

I've always went to friends and resturants for smoked food and decided or was time to try it and so far so good.

I received this unit ( 24" Smoke Vault) and overall the assembly was easy and the unit is very sturdy. I have smoked over 50 meals in this unit to include all kinds of meat, pork, poulty, fish, vegetables and even used it as a warming oven as well as a baking oven for large pans of Mac and Cheese etc. I would like to see the handles on the sides of the unit change to stay cool handles, the drip tray on the bottom is very very thin and flimsy, it easily warmed the first few smokes. I am concerned that isoon the smoking trap and the water pan will erode to the point it will need replacing. I wish they pans would have remained cast iron as in previous models. Over all though it is a great unit to smoke a bunch of meat. I can do 100 lbs of brisket, or 100 lbs of chicken or 100 lbs of pork butt and 18 racks of ribs.

3 of 4 found this review helpful

After looking at more smokers then I can count I found this beauty. I love it, since getting it I don't even use the BBQ anymore! Once you get the hang of the vents you can dial it in and keep the temperature exactly where you want it. It's small enough and with a propane tank you can take it camping. I couldn't be happier with this product!

1 user found this review helpful