If you’re looking for a verticle smoker that is able to smoke and cook a variety of foods, then the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch is a top choice.

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DESIGN + VERSATILITY | Vault Locks in the Flavor

Camp Chef was started in the 1990’s and designed to provide cooking options for hunters, campers, and outdoorsmen. They’ve grown since then, and offer tons of different outdoor cooking options, from smokers, grills, pizza ovens, and more. Camp Chef, however, is known for their affordable and well-designed smokers. They’ve designed the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch. This smoker is the bigger brother of the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18 Inch and has more capacity for more cooking.

There is a ton of room for any kind of meat or food you can think of.

The design of the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch is built just like its name implies…a vault. This vertical smoking vault is built to lock in the smokey flavor that everyone is after. It hooks up to propane but has trays for wood chips and water to help infuse your food with delicious flavor. There is a ton of room for any kind of meat or food you can think of. Adjustable racks help with spacing the food out and creating more or less room as needed depending on what you’re cooking up that day.

Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch Review

Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch

The trays are made of heavy-gauge steel so that they’ll last for many years. This bad boy weighs about 75 pounds, so it’s not out-of-this-world heavy. However, it’s probably a good idea to find a spot for it that’s out of the wind and cold, as lower outdoor temperatures can cause fluctuations in this smoker because it’s not insulated. What’s unique about this smoker compared to other smokers we’ve reviewed, and other gas smokers on the market are its ability to switch between LP and natural gas, allowing for a much longer burning time without running out of gas.

SAFETY + DURABILITY | Vault of Steel and Smoke

The Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch is covered with powder-coated steel, very common with other smokers and charcoal grills we’ve reviewed, and has a low-grade stainless steel door. It comes with removable trays the wood chips and water. These removable trays aren’t reinforced or coated, so they will most likely rust and burn through after a few years. However, these trays are a huge convenience factor and are easily replaceable when the time comes.

It comes with removable trays the wood chips and water.

Other than being very durable, which it is, the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch doesn’t have any insulation, so it might not be the best smoker in freezing weather. This will cause fluctuations in temperature, something that can be watched with an accurate grilling thermometer. The grates are stainless steel and made to last, and the entire structure of this smoker is sturdy and sound. The water tray acts as a grease collection system to that flare-ups don’t occur.

Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch Review Temperature Gauge

Built-in thermometer

PERFORMANCE | Unique Features for Gas Smoker

Ease-of-Use

The Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch is definitely an easier smoker to use, and perfect for those just wanting to start out with smoking. This unit has a push button electric ignition so you don’t need lighters or matches. The LP hookup makes controlling the heat super easy, but there’s also the option to hook up to natural gas as well. Natural gas is a great option for smoking overnight or for a very extended period of time.

This unit has a push button electric ignition so you don’t need lighters or matches.

On the inside, you are free to arrange the smoker and adjustable racks to your liking. Whether you plan to smoke large cuts of meat or entire birds, you can remove racks for more verticle space, or adjust all the racks for smaller smoking possibilities like jerky and fish. The floor of the smoker is equipped with a removable porcelain bottom tray for easy cleanup. It also comes with a removable wood chip tray for adding flavor to your feast and a removable water pan for added moisture and temperature control.

Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch Review Damper

Three adjustable damper valves, one on the top and one on each side, help you gain control of temperature and smoke levels inside the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch. There’s also a built-in thermometer gauge on the front door of the Vault, helping you keep a tighter grip on the inside temperature, although we always recommend a separate grilling thermometer for more precise cooking.

Best Features

Although the Camp Check Smoke Vault 24 Inch isn’t the fanciest smoker on the market, it sure is reliable and has a couple of unique performance features. Many gas-controlled smokers have a limited temperature range and don’t have the ability to hold low temperatures that are best for smoking (usually lower than 225 degrees Fahrenheit). However, the Smoke Vault can be dialed down as low as 160 degrees and brought up to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows for a great range of versatility, giving you the option to smoke, dehydrate, braise, roast, or bake pizzas or pies, perfect for entertaining large crowds! Check out some other great outdoor ideas for entertaining such as the best hot tubs for adults and playsets for children!

Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch Review Good for Baking

Great for baking pies, bread, or pizza!

The Smoke Vault can be dialed down as low as 160 degrees and brought up to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

To adjust the temperature, there is a fully adjustable heat-control dial near the bottom of the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch. This allows you to set the temperature where you want it. The temp can be monitored or adjusted with the three damper valves and a door thermometer. Check out temperature monitoring options with the best grilling thermometers.

Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch Review Removable Grates for Larger Cuts

Adjustable racks for large cuts of meat

One challenge with vertical smokers is that they’re often narrow, making it hard to do long pieces like ribs. However, with two 21.5″ by 14″ smoking racks, the Smoke Vault accommodates nice slabs of meat laid flat with enough vertical room to use rib racks on both shelves. Another feature is that it comes with a nickel-plated fine mesh grate for smoking jerky or seafood so that small pieces don’t fall through. Also, don’t forget that the Smoke Vault has the ability to convert between LP and natural gas, something you won’t find very often with other smokers. This is a great option for smoking for extended periods of time where LP might run out.

Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch Review Size and How to Use

Fine mesh grates for jerky or seafood

PRICE + LONGEVITY | Durable and Affordable

Longevity

Due to the sturdy steel design with powder-coated exterior and a stainless steel door, the exterior of the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch is built to resist wear and tear. The steel grates are also built to stand the test of time and smoke, but the wood chip tray might not last as long. However, this can be easily replaced and still makes this a great option for the price.

Price

Many manufacturers try to get away with making cheap-o smoke boxes that leak smoke and heat and don’t last. Camp Chef, however, doesn’t skimp on quality and almost always gives you a great value for the price. This is a well-built gas smoker that is actually worth the buy. It has a large capacity for smoking and is less expensive than competitors for the same number of features. The temperature range isn’t limited like other smokers, making it unique and priceless.

This is a well-built gas smoker that is actually worth the buy.

Also, Camp Chef is a very reliable company that has great customer service available Mon-Thurs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and also live chat on their website. The warranty for their pellet grills lasts up to 3 years past the purchase date (if purchased after 2017).

 

PROS

  • Wide temperature range, great for low and slow
  • Adjustable grates for cooking variety
  • Push button electric ignition
  • Temperature dial and three dampers for heat control

CONS

  • Not reliable in cold outdoor temperatures
  • Door mounted thermometer isn’t as accurate as separate grilling thermometers

THE BOTTOM LINE | Great First Smoker

If you’re looking for a verticle smoker that is able to smoke and cook a variety of meats, veggies, and baked goods, then the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch is a top choice. Thanks to the wide range of cooking temperature ranging from 140 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, this smoker is the ultimate example of a “low and slow” smoker, something that’s hard to find with other smokers on the market.

Thoughtful design features make the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 Inch extremely easy to use. It has a push-button start, heat control dial, three heat dampers, and adjustable grates. The water tray and wood chip tray help to keep your Vault moist and full of a nice smokey flavor. The exterior is made of a hardy powder coated steel finish and the door is made of stainless steel. The Smoke Vault is a perfect option for those looking to dive into the art of smoking and will last for many many years.