New Camp Chef WoodWind

[Geebs]

I usually let it get good and black, if nothing else, it might add a little flavor right? I smoke everything in mine, burgers, shoulders, ribs, jerky, prime roast, pizza, chicken whole and parts, cheeses, steaks, etc. I don't mind eating a steak without searing, and I usually have a little bacon fat to pan sear burgers in. I've taken a torch to some new york strips before too. I just couldn't see the cost of the sear box for how little I'd actually use it. Also I don't have any propane, I've never owned a gas grill.

As for the tube (sorry I missed that quote) I use one almost every smoke except maybe for burgers. I have an amazn one and a cheap ebay spare, I think I still need a 6"er for shorter smokes. Ground meat takes on smoke flavor more heavily than whole cuts. I tried the Pit boss comp blend myself and I thought it was too mild also, but there are only a few things I personally want maple flavor on too. I used the rest of my bag up just on things that were foiled, as it was the cheapest fuel on hand. I personally like the B&B brand of hickory or apple from Walmart. I have yet to get my hands on some cheap lumberjack pellets. I was offered in a group buy, but they told me the delivery date might be flexible and I would have to be there that day to pick up. I didn't want that causing me to miss work. These grills run on cycles, at first allowing the pellets to burn very hot and efficiently to keep the chamber up to temp, then let them smolder to create more smoke, then hot, then smolder. I can get an overpowering smoke flavor on thin cuts like ribs and steaks with just the addition of one tube. I know everyone says they have a milder profile than something burning logs sticks or chunks, but mine does enough for me and then some. That's why I was curious of your and other's opinions in this thread who have already had other smokers.

If you don’t mind me asking. How do you do your steaks and burgers? First time I tried steaks I got the grill to 300 thinking that would be good enough and I was wrong, was left with a long cook and very dry steak.

 

[zerowin]

Geebs
The last smoke I did was ribs and part of a pork shoulder that had NY strips filling the middle of the grill, then replaced by burgers. I started at high smoke for the ribs and shoulder, upped to 250 when the strips went on and bumped up to 275 right at the end to finish up. My strips weren't dry but were in there for a while. Burgers always cook pretty quickly, but they were juicy too. I try to keep a close eye on things when I'm close to desired temp. I believe I've done just steaks before at 300 or 350 with good results.

 

[BandCollector]

I hate to admit the probe that comes with the grill are not the best and easily damaged if you get the wire shielding wet or over a smoke tube. They will replace them though.

Just out of curiosity John, why ask when you have both items in your signature?

Wasn't thinking clearly. For some reason I thought you were referring to some sort of built in smoke tube which didn't exist in a Woodwind as far as I knew. Didn't realize that you were referring to Todd's invention until you actually made it clear to me.

John

 

[wahoowad]

I was hoping to find some people that have used it to grill steaks and burgers, Im wondering if I am going to start regretting not getting the sear box.

New Woodwind owner here too. I have not done burgers but did do some chicken thighs last night. I ran it on HIGH which at one point go to just over 500. It did fine but I would not try anything lower unless I was going for something like a reverse sear. I think it needed the highest setting to help get the heat needed for grilling. My thighs did get some decent grill marks and char on edges of the meat.

I have the sear box, and will ordinarily use that for grilling going forward unless I have a large group.

 

[kruizer]

Just an FYI, if you wish to do a reverse sear piece of meat, put it in on high smoke until the internal temp is within 10 degrees of your desired finish and then onto the sear box til done. Don't forget to flip half way thru on the sear box for nice grill marks on both sides.

 

[kruizer]

Well, I got the new Camp Chef assembled and cleaned up the area around and prepared to initiate the burn in. Loaded the hopper and tried to run the feed cycle to fill the auger tube and nothing. So, a call to customer service is in the works for tomorrow. Disappointing.

 

[BandCollector]

Well, I got the new Camp Chef assembled and cleaned up the area around and prepared to initiate the burn in. Loaded the hopper and tried to run the feed cycle to fill the auger tube and nothing. So, a call to customer service is in the works for tomorrow. Disappointing.

Did you check the fuse?

John

 

[zerowin]

Exactly what I was going to ask ;p

 

[Geebs]

Well, I got the new Camp Chef assembled and cleaned up the area around and prepared to initiate the burn in. Loaded the hopper and tried to run the feed cycle to fill the auger tube and nothing. So, a call to customer service is in the works for tomorrow. Disappointing.

Also just checkin you held the bypass button until the display read feed right?

 

[kruizer]

Yes I did check the fuse but the fact that the controller lit up is proof the fuse is good. Also, the shut down cycle works and the fan runs. Yup, I did depress the bypass button but it did not go into the feed mode. Just sat there like a dummy.

 

[BandCollector]

Also just checkin you held the bypass button until the display read feed right?

I'm sure you read the instructions but we are all trying to pinpoint your issue.

As Geebs asked. Did you hold in the bypass button for at least three seconds until the display read feed?

 

[Geebs]

Yes I did check the fuse but the fact that the controller lit up is proof the fuse is good. Also, the shut down cycle works and the fan runs. Yup, I did depress the bypass button but it did not go into the feed mode. Just sat there like a dummy.

Sorry to hear that. I have heard their customer service is really good. Make sure they throw in an extra bag of pellets for your trouble!

 

[kruizer]

Called Camp chef this morning and related my problem. They are sending a whole new hopper with the control panel and auger and for my trouble, two bags of pellets.

 

[Geebs]

Glad they got it taken care of for you. Just have to wait a few more days to break her in, but nice of them to throw in 2 bags for your trouble.

 

[kruizer]

While not being able to smoke things, I have been thinking about you guys and the wild temp swings some of you have in your pellet smokers. It seems that most of the builders are trying to control what amounts to a small campfire in the confines of a tin box with a small computer. I have done some pondering on this and have come to the conclusion that it is really amazing that hey have been able to regulate that little campfire to hold a plus or minus 30 degrees inside that tin box. What say you all?

 

[BandCollector]

While not being able to smoke things, I have been thinking about you guys and the wild temp swings some of you have in your pellet smokers. It seems that most of the builders are trying to control what amounts to a small campfire in the confines of a tin box with a small computer. I have done some pondering on this and have come to the conclusion that it is really amazing that hey have been able to regulate that little campfire to hold a plus or minus 30 degrees inside that tin box. What say you all?

Research, Research, Research. . . . It' a wonderful thing!

John

 

[zerowin]

Called Camp chef this morning and related my problem. They are sending a whole new hopper with the control panel and auger and for my trouble, two bags of pellets.

Sorry Kruizer, I assume when you tried to feed it, it was a no power issue. I assume the fuse would be right on the main line in to prevent a power surge from doing any damage, but I can't say that with certainty because I never poked around in mine. I'll save that fun for the first part that needs replaced.

Are you shipping your old hopper unit back? If not free spare parts! Glad they got it solved for you though, they have very good CS.

 

[kruizer]

The new parts arrived but I have to cut a series of wires in the old unit and take photos of the damage done and send them to Camp Chef.

 

[zerowin]

Are they color coded? If so that's easy to fix. Mind posting a picture so some of us can see the guts?

 

[wahoowad]

I have a new Woodwind hopper arriving tomorrow myself. Seems odd to have to cut the harness as I thought the hopper contained all the electrical/electronic parts. I'm hoping it is just a matter of unbolting the hopper, sliding the old hopper (with auger inside) off the grill and sliding the new hopper in place.

I did have to disconnect/reconnect the wiring harness when I swapped just my controller but that was very easy and harness was well labeled and easy to reach. But the controller did not resolve my temp swing issues.