I couldn’t contain my excitement when I discovered that the newest Camp Chef Woodwind Pro had finally made its way to Canada. After an arduous search, I managed to get my hands on one, and it was an unboxing experience like no other. Although the grill came pre-assembled, I watched the official assembly video beforehand (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS4VP7QupQ8&ab_channel=CampChef), just in case I needed to disassemble it for transportation. As luck would have it, I had to take it apart and put it back together at home. Reassembling the 24-inch beast was surprisingly easy, even as a solo endeavor. The only challenge was finding a tall enough chair to place the hopper on, allowing me to smoothly slide the firebox from the hopper side into the main grill.
This review reflects my initial impressions, and I will provide a more detailed review after conducting several more cooks.
Unboxing and Assembly
Once the assembly was complete, I found myself hesitant to fire it up for the initial burn, knowing that it would never look this pristine again. I couldn’t resist capturing the moment and ended up taking an entire album of photos to commemorate the occasion.
Impressive Features
The Woodwind Pro boasts several new features that truly won me over:
- High-Quality Build: From its stainless steel construction to the double-walled door and additional gasket around it, this grill is built to last.
- Versatile Smoke Box: The new smoke box allows for a variety of smoking options. Whether it’s adding charcoal, wood chunks, wood chips, or pellets, you can easily customize your smoke flavors.
- Cold Smoking Capability: As someone who frequently smokes Gouda and Cheddar, the ability to cold smoke is a game-changer. The fan-only mode opens up possibilities, and I’m excited to experiment with the smoke tube, smoke box, or both!
- Upgraded Vents: Instead of the traditional chimney, the Woodwind Pro features two vents at the back, providing better control over airflow and temperature.
- Convenient Ash Clean Out: With the inclusion of an ash cleanout cup, maintaining cleanliness is a breeze, eliminating the need for constant ash vacuuming.
Room for Improvement
While the Woodwind Pro exceeded my expectations in many areas, there were a couple of minor drawbacks:
- Wi-Fi Functionality Limitation: The grill’s app allows you to make temperature adjustments, control smoke levels, and turn off the grill, but disappointingly, it lacks the ability to turn on the grill remotely.
- Pellet Cone of Death: Although the hopper’s window was a nice addition, my first cook encountered a common issue known as the “cone of death,” where the pellets feed down the auger in the center but get stuck around the sides.
- Split Upper Level Racks: The upper-level racks had a tendency to shift, which posed a slight challenge when maneuvering heavy briskets.
Conclusion
This review is based on my initial experiences with the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro. I plan to conduct several more cooks and delve deeper into its capabilities before providing a comprehensive review. However, based on my initial impressions, the Woodwind Pro has proven to be an exceptional addition to my smoking arsenal. Its exceptional build quality, versatile smoking options, and convenient features make it a top contender in the world of pellet grills.
Stay tuned for my in-depth review where I will share detailed insights, tips, and recipes to make the most of this remarkable grill. In the meantime, remember to share your experiences and tips in the comments below! Happy grilling!