Customer Reviews

Camp Chef SMV18 Smoke Vault 18 Inch

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Camp Chef Smoke Vault is a quality and easy to use smoker. I have used it several times since purchasing it. I have smoked chickens, pork butts, pork/beef ribs and sausage. I have been pleased with the results each time. The interior is large enough to hold 4 shelves of meat. I have not had any problems controlling the temperature. I am very happy with my choice of smoker.

Received my smoker and promptly opened the box. Found that the smoker was damaged in two of the corners near where the legs attached. A little disappointed in that fact. The supplier should add more corner protection for shipping. They only used ¼" high density cardboard to protect the corners. Nothing to really absorb the shock of being dropped during shipping, recommend that Camp Chef change their packing to like 2" low volume card board or a crushable Styrofoam padding to prevent this kind of damage.

I began my assembly anyway despite the damage. Hey it is a smoker not a beauty queen. Recommend if you buy this you also go out and buy a bottle of Loc Tight as there are a lot of screws and you don't want a rattle can for a smoker in a few months.

Once the smoker was together that is when I found the additional damage inside of the smoker. One of the welds for the internal rack for the water tray was broken. Not a major issue as it was a non-load bearing bar. There are two bars for the water tray rack and the tray slides between them. I would have had to return if the load bearing one was broken.

Temperature control of the smoker is great. I varied the temp from 140F (opened the door to get that low) to 500F and climbing (a little to much heat that time). I have smoked salmon, smoked lamb (that came out awsome) and made jerky all which have turned out great due to the easy temperature control.

I have also had issues with the starter as well but I have resided myself to keeping matches around to work through that issue.

Summary: Poor packaging may result in this arriving damaged and the starter may not always work. However, smokers are not beauty queens and I can still use a match.

This smoker arrived so quickly and in perfect condition. Wasn't too hard to assemble and the first weekend we smoked chicken, turkey, pork roast and ribs. All were great. We would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a smoker.

"Tip" Works great if you use "Large Chunks" of wood in the tray and cover in foil. Poke a few small holes in foil..Smoke will last 2+ Hrs. and keep temp.down. 250 deg.is a good smoking temp.