Camp Chef build quality issues?

[poptix]

Greetings, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster here.

I recently purchased a Camp Chef DLX based on the recommendations here and I'm pretty disappointed at the build quality.

It started as soon as I pulled it out of the box, there were a lot of washers, lock washers, and a couple of nuts rolling around. None of them were the size or type that you're actually supposed to put the legs on with (the only real assembly required).

Fine, I put those aside and continued assembly. That's when I noticed some deep gouges and dents in the hopper lid. (This was replaced by customer service, so I won't post the pic).

So it's a couple weeks later now, I've smoked on it a few times, and I keep having flameout problems ("FLAME" on the display) and my meat isn't really coming out as expected. My ThermoWorks Smoke comes in the mail and lo and behold, the temperature displayed on the smoker is off by 20-30 degrees (broke the tie with a borrowed unit, it agrees with ThermoWorks).

I start looking closer at the whole system, trying to figure out why it would flame out and I see the auger is really rubbing against the top of the pellet tube. I take a closer look at the hopper, and it's not even remotely flush.

Now I'm really looking, and lo and behold, another loose locknut washer and 2 inches of temperature probe wire are wedged between the smoker and the hopper.

This means the auger is at the wrong angle and isn't pushing the pellets all the way through, they back up in the tube and kind of push themselves from there, explaining all the flameouts.

Customer supports response to the random washers was "You can discard the extra washers, sometimes they get dropped in in manufacturing and are just extra". They have not yet responded on the other issues and my return period ends July 13th.

Do I hold out and hope they're going to resolve all of these issues (and worry about what hasn't been fixed) or just give up and return the thing?

Is this the expected build quality? Did I get a dud?

 

[bones1]

I don't think you can get away from these issues with the foreign made grills. Maybe all the bugs are worked out of yours now. Run the heck out of it for the next week or so.

 

[poptix]

I don't think you can get away from these issues with the foreign made grills. Maybe all the bugs are worked out of yours now. Run the heck out of it for the next week or so.

They haven't actually fixed it yet =(

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Greetings, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster here.

I recently purchased a Camp Chef DLX based on the recommendations here and I'm pretty disappointed at the build quality.

It started as soon as I pulled it out of the box, there were a lot of washers, lock washers, and a couple of nuts rolling around. None of them were the size or type that you're actually supposed to put the legs on with (the only real assembly required).

Fine, I put those aside and continued assembly. That's when I noticed some deep gouges and dents in the hopper lid. (This was replaced by customer service, so I won't post the pic).

So it's a couple weeks later now, I've smoked on it a few times, and I keep having flameout problems ("FLAME" on the display) and my meat isn't really coming out as expected. My ThermoWorks Smoke comes in the mail and lo and behold, the temperature displayed on the smoker is off by 20-30 degrees (broke the tie with a borrowed unit, it agrees with ThermoWorks).

I start looking closer at the whole system, trying to figure out why it would flame out and I see the auger is really rubbing against the top of the pellet tube. I take a closer look at the hopper, and it's not even remotely flush.

Now I'm really looking, and lo and behold, another loose locknut washer and 2 inches of temperature probe wire are wedged between the smoker and the hopper.

This means the auger is at the wrong angle and isn't pushing the pellets all the way through, they back up in the tube and kind of push themselves from there, explaining all the flameouts.

Customer supports response to the random washers was "You can discard the extra washers, sometimes they get dropped in in manufacturing and are just extra". They have not yet responded on the other issues and my return period ends July 13th.

That’s bad enough.

Sheesh. Talk about shoddy construction.

That takes the cake and there’s no point in any other pellet grill manufacturers trying to compete with that for outright shoddiness.

Do I hold out and hope they're going to resolve all of these issues (and worry about what hasn't been fixed) or just give up and return the thing?

Is this the expected build quality? Did I get a dud?

As far as holding on to it, absolutely not.

I’d take them that piece of you know what, right back and demand my money back today.

Not tomorrow. Today.

And I’d buy myself a better quality pellet grill.

And never again even consider purchasing even a bag of wood chips with their names on it. For life.

 

[Little-m]

Did it look like a repack when you opened it? Not that it matters now, but I would talk to the reseller about getting a replacement or credit on something else.

 

[gmc2003]

I would have brought that smoker back when I unpacked it. If I saw nuts and washer rolling around in the box. Who knows what else wasn't put together properly.

Chris

 

[jac63]

Take it back. I've read far to many positive things about camp chef to believe yours is typical but no use dealing with a lemon. Return it, replace it, get refund, whatever you wish but don't keep it in hopes that it will ever be "right" JMO for whatever that may be worth.

 

[dubob]

Replace it TODAY. I had some minor issues with mine last February when I got it. CC Support was great in helping me resolve the issues and I'm now producing excellent cooks - pork & beef ribs, pulled pork, smoked fish, & jerky. I wouldn't rule them out just yet. But again - get it replaced today.

 

[Fishonshawn]

I'd take that back. I was mad when mine came with a dent in the top of it. It was near where the lid hinges are. There is a seam up there and the dent was bad enough I could see light through the seam. I emailed camp chef and they responded within 2 hours and gave me some options. I don't want to say what they did for me but I pounded that dent out with a rubber mallet like they suggested and they more than made up for the inconvenience in my mind. Any product can come damaged or have issues. I say return that one ASAP but I wouldn't be afraid to buy from them again. Even today I used their online chat because I had a question about a flame out and they were super helpful and fast. So my experience is has been good with them.

 

[Little-m]

I'd take that back. I was mad when mine came with a dent in the top of it. It was near where the lid hinges are. There is a seam up there and the dent was bad enough I could see light through the seam. I emailed camp chef and they responded within 2 hours and gave me some options. I don't want to say what they did for me but I pounded that dent out with a rubber mallet like they suggested and they more than made up for the inconvenience in my mind. Any product can come damaged or have issues. I say return that one ASAP but I wouldn't be afraid to buy from them again. Even today I used their online chat because I had a question about a flame out and they were super helpful and fast. So my experience is has been good with them.

Forgive me friend, but I don't see any previous posts that you made in this thread. Are you the OP? If so, then if you are happy with your results, that is the most important thing, regardless of what others may say here.

 

[Fishonshawn]

Forgive me friend, but I don't see any previous posts that you made in this thread. Are you the OP? If so, then if you are happy with your results, that is the most important thing, regardless of what others may say here.

No I'm not the OP.. I actually just found this forum today and joined. Figured since this was a thread about camp chef I'd throw in my experience in dealing with them since the OP asked if he should return his grill.

 

[RACAT]

Ive had problems with my WoodWind. They replaced the controller, now the temp swings are terrible.( Set at high smoke 220 degrees, held 180, had to set at 300 to hold 220. they are sending me a new internal thermomitor. problems but they are trying.

 

[poptix]

Well, I gave them their last chance. I explained the problems to them again, sent detailed photos with circles drawn around the problem areas, etc.

They entirely ignored my concerns. They sent me a PDF with instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble the whole thing, and shipped a replacement air temp probe that won't arrive until well after the return window has closed.

I've initiated the return with Amazon. Thanks for your input everyone.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Well, I gave them their last chance. I explained the problems to them again, sent detailed photos with circles drawn around the problem areas, etc.

They entirely ignored my concerns. They sent me a PDF with instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble the whole thing, and shipped a replacement air temp probe that won't arrive until well after the return window has closed.

I've initiated the return with Amazon. Thanks for your input everyone.

Glad it’s going to work out for you by returning it to Amazon.

That way, fewer potential hassles.

Hopefully you can get your money back quickly. And if later you decide to do so, you’ll at least have the option of putting it together with a few dollars more and perhaps buying yourself a better option, if you should so choose.

Good luck. At least you won’t be stuck with a grill that you aren’t satisfied with.

... I emailed camp chef and they responded within 2 hours and gave me some options. I don't want to say what they did for me but I pounded that dent out with a rubber mallet like they suggested and they more than made up for the inconvenience in my mind. ...

Well, if you’re satisfied with the resolution, then that’s all that matters.

Hopefully, they’ll be as accommodating in the event that you should have any future issues with it, God forbid.

 

[Little-m]

Well, I gave them their last chance. I explained the problems to them again, sent detailed photos with circles drawn around the problem areas, etc.

They entirely ignored my concerns. They sent me a PDF with instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble the whole thing, and shipped a replacement air temp probe that won't arrive until well after the return window has closed.

I've initiated the return with Amazon. Thanks for your input everyone.

Amazon is good for some stuff, but something as large and complex as this, it might be better to deal with a local reseller.

Hope things work out for you bro.

 

[poptix]

Amazon is good for some stuff, but something as large and complex as this, it might be better to deal with a local reseller.

Hope things work out for you bro.

I was communicating with Camp Chef directly, Amazon was only the seller.

 

[Little-m]

I was communicating with Camp Chef directly, Amazon was only the seller.

Understood, but that's my point. You could have received a direct exchange or a store credit on another brand/model if you had purchased one local to you.