Camp Chef has quietly become Traeger’s most credible competitor.
Utah-based since 1990, Camp Chef built its reputation on portable outdoor stoves. Their pellet grill lineup delivers direct-flame searing that Traeger charges premium tier for, at prices ~30% below the Traeger equivalent. This guide covers the Woodwind Pro line (their flagship pellet), Apex, Sherpa outdoor cooking stations, and the versatile Explorer camp stoves.
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The Camp Chef lineup in 2026
- Woodwind Pro (24 and 36) — flagship pellet grills with sear box, $800-1,200.
- Apex — dual-zone pellet + gas hybrid grill, $1,100-1,500.
- Sherpa Camp Table Oven — portable propane oven/stove, $400-500.
- Explorer 2X / 3X — propane camp stove stations, $180-350.
Best all-round: Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24
The Woodwind Pro 24 is the pellet grill most cooks should own if they can live without Traeger’s polished app. 811 square inches, 22 lb hopper, PID controller with 10F accuracy, and the sear box (a separate propane sear station attached to the side) that hits 700F for actual steakhouse sears. Slide-and-grill smoke boost lets you dial in smoke intensity manually.
What you give up vs Traeger Ironwood XL: the app is functional but not polished. What you get: sear capability Traeger cannot match plus ~$500 in your pocket.
- Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24
- Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 (larger)
- Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 (base model)
Best hybrid: Camp Chef Apex
Innovative dual-zone design: pellet smoker on the left, gas grill on the right. Cook brisket at 225F on the pellet side while searing steak on the gas side simultaneously. $1,100-1,500 depending on size. For anyone who wants BOTH true smoking AND high-heat gas grilling without buying two units.
Best portable cooking station: Camp Chef Explorer 2X
Camp Chef’s flagship 2-burner outdoor propane stove. 60,000 BTU total, adjustable legs, huge cook surface. Runs standard 20 lb propane tanks. Perfect for RV cooking, camping, and backyard overflow when the grill is full.
Best portable oven: Camp Chef Sherpa Camp Table Oven
Genuinely unique product — a fully-functional propane oven that folds into a suitcase for transport. Bake pizza, roast a chicken, or slow-cook a pork shoulder at a campsite. $400-500.
Comparison at a glance
| Model | Cook Area | Direct Sear? | App? | Approx Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2X | 448 sq in stove top | N/A (stove) | No | $180 |
| Sherpa Oven | Oven cavity | No | No | $450 |
| Woodwind Pro 24 | 811 sq in | Yes (sear box) | Yes | $900 |
| Apex 30 | 1,236 sq in combined | Yes (gas side) | Yes | $1,300 |
Bottom line
Best pellet grill from Camp Chef: Woodwind Pro 24 at $900. True sear + smoke in one unit.
Dual-fuel entertainer: Apex at $1,300. Portable outdoor cooking station: Explorer 2X at $180.
See our cross-brand pellet comparison: Best Pellet Smoker 2026.
About this guide
Our recommendations synthesize manufacturer specifications, published editorial reviews (AmazingRibs, Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Meathead), and community feedback from BBQ forums (r/smoking, r/BBQ, Smoking Meat Forums), cross-checked against real-world reports. We do not accept payment for recommendations.
Last reviewed: July 2026