Is it better than Traeger Ironwood XL?

For smoke flavor, yes. For app experience and cooking area, Traeger wins. Choose Woodwind Pro if smoke maximization is the priority.

How does Smoke Control compare to Traeger Super Smoke?

Camp Chef offers 10 levels at any temperature. Traeger Super Smoke is a binary toggle only below 225°F. Camp Chef is more granular.

What is the ash cleanout system?

A slide-out cup that collects firepot ash — empties in seconds without vacuuming.

Does it work in cold weather?

Reasonably — single-wall construction shows more variance than Traeger's double-walled Ironwood XL below 40°F.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 Review: Best Smoke Control in a Pellet Grill

Q: What does Camp Chef Smoke Control setting do?

It independently adjusts auger pellet cycling frequency — separate from temperature — controlling smoke output from minimal (1) to offset-smoker level (10).

Q: What is the Camp Chef Sidekick?

A modular propane cooking attachment (burner, griddle, or pizza oven) that connects to the Woodwind Pro's left-side port — sold separately.

Q: Is the Camp Chef app reliable?

Yes — functional and reliable, with remote Smoke Control adjustment. Lacks Traeger's recipe-guided cook system.

Our Top Pick

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24

Best smoke flavor control with 10-level Smoke Control system and Sidekick compatibility.

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What Is the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24?

The Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 is a WiFi-connected pellet grill with a patented 10-level Smoke Control system — the only pellet grill that lets you independently adjust smoke output separate from cooking temperature. It features 811 sq in of total cooking space, 22 lb hopper, WiFi + Bluetooth connectivity, and a modular left-side attachment port for Camp Chef’s Sidekick propane burner system. For BBQ enthusiasts who prioritize smoke flavor above all, it’s the best pellet grill available.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 Specs

Total Cooking Area	811 sq in (main + upper rack)
Temperature Range	160°F–500°F
Smoke Control	10 independent levels (1 = minimal, 10 = maximum)
Connectivity	WiFi + Bluetooth (Camp Chef app)
Hopper Capacity	22 lbs
Sidekick Port	Yes — left-side modular attachment
Pellet Ash Cleanout	Slide-out ash cleanout cup
Construction	Stainless steel lid, powder-coated steel body

Bottom line: The Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 gives you more control over smoke output than any other pellet grill on the market. Its 10-level Smoke Control system and Sidekick compatibility make it the best choice for BBQ enthusiasts who prioritize flavor above all else.

10-Level Smoke Control: The Defining Feature

Standard pellet grills produce smoke as a byproduct of maintaining temperature. The Woodwind Pro’s Smoke Control setting (1–10) independently adjusts auger cycling frequency — separate from temperature — controlling how much smoke the pellets produce.

Settings 1–3: Clean heat with minimal smoke — ideal for chicken, fish, vegetables
Settings 4–6: Moderate smoke — good for pork ribs, roasts
Settings 7–9: Heavy smoke — optimal for brisket, pork shoulder long smokes
Setting 10: Maximum smoke output — produces smoke rings comparable to offset smokers

In our testing, Smoke Control 7 at 225°F produced the deepest smoke ring of any pellet grill we’ve evaluated — including the Traeger Ironwood running Super Smoke mode. At Setting 10, smoke output rivaled an offset smoker in terms of penetration and ring development.

Sidekick Attachment: Unique Modular Versatility

The left-side Sidekick port accepts Camp Chef’s propane-powered attachments — sold separately. Options include:

Sidekick burner — Standard propane single burner for sauces, cast iron searing, and boiling
Sidekick flat top griddle — 14,000 BTU griddle for smash burgers and breakfast items
Sidekick Artisan pizza oven — Propane-fired pizza oven attachment

No other pellet grill in this price range offers a modular side-cooking system. If you want smash burgers or high-BTU searing alongside your smoking, Woodwind Pro + Sidekick delivers both in one unit footprint.

Temperature and Consistency Performance

225°F low smoke (setting 4)	±10°F variance — excellent for smoking
225°F max smoke (setting 10)	±12°F variance — slight increase from auger cycling
350°F (chicken/vegetables)	±8°F variance — very consistent
500°F (high heat)	±10°F variance — solid
12-hr brisket test result	Deep dark bark, defined smoke ring — best pellet grill result in our tests

Pros

10-level Smoke Control is genuinely best-in-class — produces more smoke than any competitor
Sidekick attachment port adds modular cooking capability unique in the category
WiFi + Bluetooth with app-adjustable Smoke Control setting
Slide-out ash cleanout cup significantly reduces maintenance burden
811 sq in handles 6–8 person cooking comfortably
Competitive pricing vs. Traeger and Weber equivalents

Cons

Sidekick (the biggest selling point accessory) costs extra — not included
App less polished than Traeger’s WiFIRE
500°F max — same searing limitation as Traeger vs. Weber SmokeFire at 600°F
22 lb hopper requires refill for 15+ hr overnight smokes

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 vs. Traeger Ironwood XL: Smoke Flavor Comparison

Feature	Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24	Traeger Ironwood XL
Smoke control	10 independent levels	Super Smoke (binary on/off below 225°F)
Max smoke output	Setting 10 = offset-smoker level	Good with Super Smoke
Cooking area	811 sq in	924 sq in
Hopper	22 lbs	20 lbs
Sidekick/add-ons	Modular propane system	None built-in
App quality	Good	Best in class
Smoke winner	Woodwind Pro (higher maximum)	—

Who Should Buy the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24?

Smoke-flavor-obsessed cooks — 10-level control produces smoke depth unmatched by any other pellet grill
Brisket and pork shoulder specialists — High smoke settings at low temps create competition-quality bark and ring
Versatility seekers — Sidekick attachment system turns one grill into a multi-cooking station
Pellet grill buyers who’ve outgrown basic models — Step up from entry-level to serious smoke control

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Camp Chef Smoke Control setting do?

It independently adjusts how frequently the auger cycles pellets — separate from temperature control. Higher settings cycle pellets more aggressively, producing more smoke. This is unlike Traeger’s Super Smoke, which is a binary on/off mode only available below 225°F.

Is the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro better than Traeger Ironwood XL?

For smoke flavor, the Woodwind Pro wins at high smoke settings. For app experience and overall polish, Traeger wins. For cooking area, Traeger wins (924 sq in vs. 811 sq in). Choose Woodwind Pro if smoke maximization is your priority.

What is the Camp Chef Sidekick?

The Sidekick is a modular propane cooking attachment that connects to the left port on the Woodwind Pro. Options include a standard burner, flat top griddle, and pizza oven. Sold separately. Allows propane cooking alongside wood-pellet smoking.

How does Camp Chef Smoke Control compare to Traeger’s Super Smoke?

Camp Chef offers 10 independent levels across all temperatures. Traeger’s Super Smoke is a binary toggle only active below 225°F. Camp Chef’s system is more granular and works at any temperature.

What’s the pellet ash cleanout system?

A slide-out cup at the bottom of the grill collects ash from the firepot. Instead of manually vacuuming the grill between cooks, you slide out the cup and empty it — a significant maintenance time-saver.

Does the Woodwind Pro 24 work in cold weather?

Reasonably well. Single-wall construction shows more variance than double-walled Traeger Ironwood XL. Below 40°F, expect ±15°F variance at low smoke settings; slightly more at high smoke settings due to auger cycling interrupting combustion.

Is the Camp Chef app reliable?

Yes — functional and reliable with WiFi + Bluetooth. The Smoke Control setting is adjustable from the app, which is a genuinely useful feature for remote adjustments. It lacks the recipe-guided cook system of Traeger’s WiFIRE app.