Camp Chef High Smoke Vs. 225 Pellet Grill: In-depth Differences

If you’re in the market for a new pellet grill, two popular models you may be considering are the Camp Chef High Smoke and the Camp Chef 225. Both grills are made by the same company and have similarities, but there are some key differences between the two that are important to understand before making your purchase.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the Camp Chef High Smoke and 225 pellet grills across various factors like size, temperature range, features, build quality, and more.

We’ll also provide pros and cons for each grill to help you determine which model is the better fit for your needs and budget.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Camp Chef High Smoke	Camp Chef 225
Cooking Area	570 sq. in	673 sq. in
Dimensions	45.5” W x 27” D x 51” H	62.5” W x 33.5” D x 49.5” H
Weight	127 lbs	196 lbs
Pellet Hopper Capacity	18 lbs	22 lbs
Temperature Range	160°F – 500°F	160°F – 500°F
Construction	Powder coated steel	Powder coated and stainless steel
Grill Grates	Porcelain-coated steel	Porcelain-coated and stainless steel
Upper Rack	No	Yes
Side Shelf	No	Yes
Slide and Grill	No	Yes
Portability	Excellent	Good
Smoker Performance	Excellent	Very good
Warranty	3 years	3 years

Key Differences Between Camp Chef High Smoke And 225 Pellet Grills

• Overview and Specs

First, let’s take a high-level look at what each of these Camp Chef pellet grills has to offer:

Camp Chef High Smoke

• Cooking Area – 570 sq. in
• Temperature Range – 160°F to 500°F
• Weight – 127 lbs
• Pellet Hopper Capacity – 18 lbs
• Dimensions – 45.5″ W x 27″ D x 51″ H

Camp Chef 225

• Cooking Area – 673 sq. in
• Temperature Range – 160°F to 500°F
• Weight – 196 lbs
• Pellet Hopper Capacity – 22 lbs
• Dimensions – 62.5” W x 33.5” D x 49.5” H

As you can see, while the temperature range is the same, the 225 offers a larger total cooking area and pellet hopper capacity compared to the High Smoke model. The 225 is also heavier and larger in terms of dimensions.

Now let’s dive deeper into how these two popular Camp Chef grills compare across some of the most important factors for pellet grill shoppers.

• Grill Space

One of the first things to look at when comparing pellet grills is the amount of cooking area they provide. This refers to the total surface space you have available to cook your food on the main grill grates.

The Camp Chef 225 offers a more sizable 673 square inches of grill space compared to 570 square inches on the High Smoke. That’s over 100 more square inches that you have to work with on the 225, which can make a difference if you regularly cook for larger groups and need a grill with ample room.

Both grills give you enough space to cook around 20-25 burgers at once, but the 225 provides extra real estate for larger pieces of meat like briskets or rib racks. It also makes it easier to do combination cooks with different foods that require different temps.

If you mainly just plan to use your grill for smaller cooks for your family, the difference in size may not be a huge factor. But the 225 certainly provides more flexibility if you like to grill larger volumes.

• Temperature Range

When shopping for a pellet grill, you also want one that can reach and maintain temperatures suitable for different types of cooking techniques.

The Camp Chef High Smoke and 225 have an identical temperature range of 160°F to 500°F. This wide spectrum allows you to do low and slow smoking at the lower end, while still being able to sear or bake at higher temps.

Both grills utilize Camp Chef’s proprietary PID temperature control system. This automatically adjusts the pellet feed rate to maintain your set temp within +/- 10 degrees even in windy or cold conditions.

So in terms of temperature flexibility, it’s a tie between these two models. They both give you the full range to smoke, braise, barbecue, sear, bake, roast, or grill.

• Grill Features

Here’s a look at some of the notable features of each grill and how they compare:

• Dual Meat Probes – Both grills come with Camp Chef’s wireless temperature monitoring system and dual probes for monitoring internal meat temp without having to open the lid.
• Ash Cleanout System – They also both have Camp Chef’s easy ash cleanout system for quick and simple emptying of excess ash from the firepot.
• Upper Rack – The 225 includes an additional upper rack providing more cooking space. The High Smoke does not have an upper rack.
• Slide and Grill Technology – Only found on the 225. Lets you slide back a small portion of the grill grate to expose the flame for direct grilling when needed.
• Side Shelf – Both models have a folding front shelf, but only the 225 has an additional side shelf for extra workspace.
• Pellet Purge System – Allows you to quickly empty pellet hopper after cooks. Included on both grills.

So while they share core features like the dual probes and ash cleanout, the 225 has a few additional conveniences with the upper rack, side shelf, and slide and grill tech.

• Build Quality

Camp Chef has a reputation for making affordable pellet grills that still maintain a reasonable level of durability. Both of these grills feature powder coated steel construction and are designed to withstand outdoor use.

That said, when you compare them side-by-side, the 225 has a slight edge in build quality and materials used:

• Grill Lid – The 225 has a stainless steel lid while the High Smoke’s lid is powder coated steel. Stainless steel holds up better over time.
• ** Interior** – The 225 also has a stainless steel fire pot and heat deflector plate. Again, more durable than the plain steel used on the High Smoke.
• Grates – Both have porcelain coated steel grates, but the 225’s upper rack is stainless steel.

While both are reasonably well-built for their price points, the 225 edges out the High Smoke when it comes to construction quality and use of higher grade materials in key areas.

• Ease of Use

Camp Chef designed both the High Smoke and 225 with beginner grillers in mind. They both have streamlined controls and straightforward operation perfect for backyard cooks.

Each grill has an intuitive digital temperature control panel.

You simply turn the knob to your desired temp and the system automatically ignites the pellets and regulates heat for consistent cooking.

Pellet hopper cleanout and grease management are also easy on both models thanks to the included dump bucket, drip tray, and built-in grease management system.

The one difference is that the 225 offers Camp Chef’s Slide and Grill feature.

This gives you a small section of grill grate you can slide back to expose direct flame. It adds quick convenience when you want to char or sear.

Aside from that small distinction, the High Smoke and 225 are similarly easy-to-use pellet grills perfect for home pitmasters. Novices should feel right at home cooking on either one.

• Portability

One benefit of pellet grills is that most are reasonably portable when compared to traditional offset smokers. However, there are some differences in maneuverability between the High Smoke and 225.

With a lighter weight of just 127 pounds, the High Smoke is considerably more portable and easier to move around your patio or wheel into storage between uses.

The 225 tips the scales at almost 200 pounds without food or pellets. So it’s quite a bit bulkier and may require two people to reposition.

Both grills have two front locking caster wheels for rolling. But the High Smoke’s lighter body and smaller footprint make it the more portable choice between these two options.

If you plan to frequently wheel your grill in and out of storage, the High Smoke will likely be less of a chore to move.

• Smoker Function

As pellet grills, the High Smoke and 225 are both capable smoking devices that impart delicious wood-fired flavor using 100% natural hardwood pellets.

They have the same wide temperature range needed for true low and slow smoking down to 160°F. Both models also include a removable heat deflector to help spread heat and smoke evenly when smoking low and slow.

That said, there are a couple small differences that give the High Smoke a slight edge in terms of pure smoking performance:

• It has an upright barrel-shaped design that naturally promotes heat and smoke circulation.
• The name “High Smoke” comes from the fact that it’s engineered to produce more smoke flavor at low temps than typical pellet grills.

So while you can smoke exceptionally on either grill, the High Smoke may have a barely noticeable edge for die-hard smoking purists. But the 225 is no slouch when it comes to infusing serious wood-fired flavor into brisket, pork shoulders, jerky, or anything you smoke.

• Warranty

Camp Chef covers both the High Smoke and 225 with a respectable 3-year warranty. This protects against defects in materials and workmanship.

So if any components like the fire pot, grates, or electronic components malfunction or fail prematurely, both grills are backed by the same level of manufacturer support.

Three years of coverage is pretty standard for grills in this price range. Provided you perform basic maintenance and cleaning, both the High Smoke and 225 should deliver years of use before needing repairs.

• Cost Comparison

MSRP pricing is as follows:

• Camp Chef High Smoke: $599
• Camp Chef 225: $999

The High Smoke carries a significantly lower retail price point. You’re getting a smaller, more portable pellet grill but still one that is very capable for most home pitmasters.

The larger 225 model with enhanced features and construction jumps up considerably in price. It’s arguably the better long-term investment if you grill frequently and can utilize the extra space. But it may be overkill if you only plan to use your grill for small gatherings.

Depending on where you shop, you can often find both models discounted below MSRP. But generally expect to pay around $200-$300 more for the 225 grill.

Both offer excellent value at their respective price points. But your budget considerations may be the deciding factor between these two grills.

Camp Chef High Smoke Pros and Cons

Pros

• More affordable price
• Portable and easier to maneuver
• Excellent for smaller cooks
• Great smoker performance
• Quality construction for the price

Cons

• Less overall grill space
• No upper rack or side shelf
• Lower grade materials than 225
• Can’t directly sear over flame

Camp Chef 225 Pros and Cons

Pros

• Huge cooking surface
• Stainless steel lid and firepot
• Upper rack and side shelf
• Slide and Grill feature for direct searing
• Still reasonably portable for size

Cons

• Much more expensive
• Very heavy and bulky
• More grill space than some need
• Doesn’t smoke quite as well as High Smoke

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Verdict

At the end of the day, both the Camp Chef High Smoke and 225 represent two excellent options in mid-range pellet grills. They have similar core functionality but differ in terms of size, special features, and pricing.

If you’re mainly grilling for smaller groups of 2-4 people and want serious smoking performance in a more affordable package, the High Smoke is probably the better choice. It delivers smoker-centric features tailored for true barbecue fanatics on a budget.

On the other hand, those who often cook large volumes, need maximum grill space, and appreciate premium extras like a stainless lid, additional racks, and side shelf will get more value from the Camp Chef 225. It’s the better grill for large get-togethers.

As long as you choose the model that best fits your budget, needs, and preferences, you’re sure to end up with a high-quality, reliable pellet grill that will make you proud to be the backyard pitmaster of your neighborhood.

Whichever you choose, happy grilling!