Camp Chef SmokePro SG 24 and Sidekick Attachment
By: Cory McLaughlin
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Enhance your back patio cookout with our revolutionary new SmokePro SG pellet grill featuring Slide and Grill Technology. Switch seamlessly between Indirect and Direct Flame mode to achieve two delicious flavor profiles all on one capable grill. Slow cook your favorite cut of beef or slide the grill knob and toss a few burgers on for some direct wood-fired grilling. The new SmokePro SG features a taller cook chamber with additional rack space as well as a larger capacity hopper for increased cooking space and eliminating the need to top off your grill with pellets mid-cook. Stocked with the patented Ash Cleanout System, stable temperature regulation, and dual meat probes, the SmokePro SG is the only pellet grill you need to achieve wood-fired flavor.
FEATURES
- Includes 2 meat probes
- Includes warming rack
- Pellet Hopper Cleanout/Purge
- Slide and Grill Technology
- Ash Cleanout System
- Cord Management System
- Large capacity hopper
- Electronic auto-start ignition
- Dual LED temperature readout: internal cooking temps and internal food temps
- Simple temperature selection system
- 160º F up to 500º F temperature range for slow smoking to grilling
- Automatic auger dispenses pellets as needed for improved smoker efficiency
- Leg wire shelf not included
SPECIFICATIONS
Lower Rack Area: 429 sq. in.
Upper Rack Area: 382sq. in.
Total Rack Surface Area: 811 sq. in.
Side Shelf Dimensions: 16 in. x 12 in.
Chamber Capacity: 4,850 cubic in.
Hopper Capacity: 22 lbs. of pellets
Overall Height: 42 in.
Overall Weight: 150 lbs.
Warranty: 3 years
Sidekick:
The Sidekick is just that—your pellet grill’s powerful partner in cooking crime. The propane powered, single burner accessory easily attaches to most Camp Chef pellet grills. It’s designed to give you VersaGrillity™ as one of Camp Chef’s 14-inch cooking systems, meaning you can add a griddle, grill, artisan oven, stock pot, and more. The Sidekick has 30,000 BTU and is perfect for searing. Grilling now has more options and greater convenience with the Sidekick.
You’ll be cooking in no time with the included pre-seasoned steel griddle. Discover the endless menu possibility found in your Sidekick.
As seen on Popular Science’s 100 Greatest Innovations of 2018.
FEATURES
- Compatible with most Camp Chef 14 in. accessories
- Includes Professional Flat Top Griddle with ready to cook True Seasoned Surface (SG30)
- Includes propane tank holder
- Mounts to full-sized Camp Chef pellet grills, 2016 and newer
- 30,000 BTU cast-aluminum burner
- Grease Management System
- Matchless ignition
- Fully adjustable heat-control knob
- Wind Baffled Technology
- Has the ability to bake, sear, boil, sauté, braise, grill, etc. (accessories sold separately)
- Fits under patio cover
FITMENT
- SmokePro DLX 24 Pellet Grill, PG24
- SmokePro SE 24 Pellet Grill, PG24SE
- SmokePro XT 24 Pellet Grill, PG24XT
- SmokePro SG 24 Pellet Grill, PG24SG
- SmokePro STX 24 Pellet Grill, PG24STX
- SmokePro LUX 36 Pellet Grill, PG36LUX
- SmokePro SGX 36 Pellet Grill, PG36SGX
- Woodwind Classic Pellet Grill, PG24WWS
- Woodwind Classic Pellet Grill with Sear Box, PG24WWSS*
- Woodwind SG Pellet Grill with Sear Box, PG24SGWWSS1*
- *units with a Sear Box
SPECIFICATIONS
- Cooking Area Dimensions: 14 in. x 16.5 in.
- Total Surface Area: 231 sq. in.
- Total Output: 30,000 BTUs/Hr. Burner
- Overall Height: 6 in.
- Overall Weight: 32.5 lbs.
- Griddle Weight: 16 lbs.
- Sidekick Weight Capacity: 40 lbs.
- Overall Unit Dimensions: 18 in. x 20.5 in. x 6 in.
- Propane tank not included
My Story:
Is there anything better in the world than smoked meat? I honestly don’t even feel like I need to answer that. I LOVE smoking meats for BBQ’s and other events. It is a hobby and passion of mine and the rewards are worth every second of the preparation and the long wait.
I had the great pleasure of checking out the Camp Chef booth at last year’s Summer OR show in Denver and when I left I was in smoker dream land. I had worked out the details for testing a SmokePro SG 24 unit and I couldn’t wait for it to find its way into my castle. I was already having visions of feeding my people.
The Camp Chef name is nothing foreign to the circles I travel in. I have had many of fine cooked meals from Camp Chef products so I was not in the least bit concerned about performance. When the delivery driver left my house and I sat staring in glorious amazement at the pallet full of smoker boxes with a very large smile on my face. The only problem I had was my silly day job had bigger plans for me and I would have to put off my testing for far longer than I wanted.
When the day came that I was able to assemble the SmokePro SG 24 I found it to be extremely straight forward and easy to complete. I found no surprises with parts or anything of the sort. It took me about a half hour to assemble to grill and attach the Sidekick. It was nearly time to get meat on the grill and I was jazzed.
After my initial burn I thought I would first test the smoker with a turkey that I had kicking around in my freezer. The weather was cold and nasty but the Camp Chef SmokePro SG 24 never skipped a beat. I did notice a somewhat significant temperature fluctuation of up to 15 degrees at times and that was a bit concerning.
Ultimately, the turkey turned out amazing, and my wife still talks about it as it was “The best turkey I ever had!” I thought about the same. So, my first test with the Camp Chef SmokePro SG 24 was a win.
The next testing area was to use the Sidekick. This is really just a nice addition to an already awesome grill. The Camp Chef propane stove and griddle (same ideas as the Sidekick) is no stranger to my home and I was every bit as impressed with this little guy as I have been with other Camp Chef stove/griddle combos. I cooked a heaping load of bacon on the provided griddle and I found it to be perfect. The grill surface is a bit rough but past experience tells me after a good many uses this will not be an issue. Overall the sidekick is a great addition.
With such great success already it was time to put this smoker to the ultimate test. I decided that I would smoke the Christmas prime rib. This was a big undertaking as it was my first time using a smoker to cook prime rib. My family sat in awe as I announced that I was going to cook this years feast on my new smoker. They again found their mouths open when I pulled the perfectly cooked prime rib off the grill. It was a huge success!
The next smoking task I undertook was at great risk to some very precious meat. I was lucky enough to have been given a damage deer tag and harvested a nice mule deer doe. I decided to try my hand at curing and smoking some venison hams. So, after 10 days of curing the hams in a brine I was ready to smoke them. This was a serious undertaking as I had a very hard time convincing myself to experiment with both HQ’s form this deer. Luckily I had the right tool for the job.
The smoking began at 0500 and I decided to use a supplemental smoke tube to help add a heavy smoke flavor as I find it very delicious with smoked hams. I set the SmokePro SG 24 to “High Smoke” and let it roll. It was 13 hours later that I finally was able to pull the hams and allow them to cool. My first taste of the meat was like the first time a kid tastes candy. It was freaking delicious! I am now a believer in all that is Camp Chef and that was the day that sealed the deal.
A few other things that I would like to mention that I found to be amazing features. The first is the dual meat probes. This is very useful when smoking multiple roasts, birds, or hams. I absolutely love this feature! The second is the pellet window on the hopper. I love that I can simply look out the window and see where the pellets are at. When smoking meat in cold weather this is a great feature as it allows you to stay in the warm house but still know when you need to add pellets. I also love that you can adjust the sear pan to allow for a direct flame while grilling burgers or steaks. I am sure you will love the ash clean-out as it is by far the simplest cleaning method I have used.
The last thing I love about this grill is the additional top grills that can be added for a two tier grilling experience. This is very useful and not a standard feature on many of Camp Chef’s competitors. I also own a Green Mountain Daniel Boone Grill and I had to adapt the “Front Shelf” into an upper grill which was a pain in the butt. So this is a big win for Camp Chef.
Overall I find this whole system to be amazing. I have no complaints about the Sidekick and am only slightly concerned about the temperature fluctuation of the SmokePro SG 24. We are getting out of the cold season now so it will be interesting to see how it does in milder temperatures. I do have to say that I like the GMG’s ability to adjust temp by 5 degrees but after using both I believe you can achieve the same results with the CCSG with little to no worry.
Find It Here:
https://www.campchef.com/sidekick.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImYrUzJPn4QIVDsZkCh2qcwpGEAQYASABEgJKA_D_BwE
What can be done better?
I would like to see how this spring/summer treats the temperature fluctuation issues. If they continue I think that is an area that I would like to see improved. 15 degree’s is a pretty large fluctuation and I would like to see that get tightened up a bit. The Sidekick is a solid 5 star product in my eyes.
I give this system a 4.5 rating as I need further testing to determine if the temperature fluctuation is going to be an ongoing issue. I will update this review in the event that it stops or lessens to a more acceptable level.
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Functionality
(4.5)
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Value
(4.5)
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Ergonomics
(4.5)
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Durability
(4.5)
I LOVE MY CAMP CHEF SMOKER!
We love ours as well!