With this article, I wanted to do a comparison of two of the leading pellet grill brands, Traeger and Camp Chef and compare their premium offerings at a similar price point to see how they compare. Specifically, to compare the Traeger Timberline range against the Camp Chef Apex. I should note that we are talking about Timberline Gen 1 models, not Timberline Gen 2 models. The reason is that the Timberline Gen 1 models match the Camp Chef Apex grills more closely in price. Right, let’s get into this!
Table of Contents
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Introduction To Traeger Timberline vs Camp Chef Apex
You may be aware that I have previously written a Traeger vs Camp Chef comparison article. However, within that article, I’m comparing the lower-priced/more affordable products from each brand.
Furthermore, when I wrote that article, the Camp Chef Apex didn’t exist.
Therefore, this article is specifically to compare the premium offerings from both of these brands that come in a similar price point.
I’ve provided some outline details on each of the offerings below and then we’ll jump into the comparison.
I should note, I’m doing this comparison with the Camp Chef Apex models fitted with the optional gas kit as they come in at a similar price point to the Traeger Timberline models below.
However, it is also possible to purchase a Camp Chef Apex for a lower price without the gas kit.
Traeger Timberline Gen 1
There are two models of Gen 1 Timberline, the smaller 850 and the larger 1300.
The numbers relate to the total cooking areas of these pellet grills but not the size of the main cooking grates (an important point we’ll discuss). My Traeger Timberline article goes into detail on these grills.
These Gen 1 Timberline models were the first Traeger grills to feature a full stainless steel twin-wall insulated cooking chamber.
Hence, its winter cooking performance was the best of any Traeger to date without requiring a thermal blanket.
Traeger Timberline 850 & 1300 Specs
- Total Cooking Area = 850 sq.in or 1,300 sq.in
- Main Grate Cooking Area =363 sq.in (850) or 561 sq.in (1300)
- Stainless Steel? = Interior stainless cooking chamber
- Twin Wall Insulation? = Entire cooking chamber
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 24 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees
- Direct-Flame Access? = No
- PID Temperature Control? = Yes
- WiFi/App Control? = Yes
- Typical Price = $2,099 (850) or $2,299 (1300)
Camp Chef Apex 24″ & 36″ With Gas Kits
The Camp Chef Apex represents the latest generation of pellet/gas combination grills or ‘hybrid grills’ as Camp Chef likes to call them.
Available without the gas kit for a lower price point which can then be upgraded with the gas kit at a later date. Alternatively, they can be purchased with the gas kit from new.
My article on the Camp Chef Apex goes into all the details of these new grills. Such as, these are the first Camp Chef grills to feature any twin-wall insulation.
They also have a novel removable grease tray through a hatch on the front of the grills.
Camp Chef Apex 24″ & 36″ With Gas Kits Specs
- Total Cooking Area = 811 sq.in (24″) or 1,236 sq.in (36″)
- Main Grate Cooking Area = 429 sq.in (24″) or 663 sq.in (36″)
- Stainless Steel? = Lid, gas burners and heat deflectors
- Twin Wall Insulation? = Just the lid
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 30 lbs
- Temperature Range = 160 to 500 degrees
- Direct-Flame Access? = Yes, via gas only though
- PID Temperature Control? = Yes
- WiFi/App Control? = Yes
- Typical Price = $2,199 (24″) or $2,499 (36″)
Temperature Control & Cooking Performance
Both Traeger and Camp Chef have been integrating PID temperature control and WiFi/App connectivity into their pellet grills/smokers for several years now.
As I discuss in my Traeger WiFire vs Camp Chef Connect article, they are very closely matched when it comes to PID/WiFi/App integration.
As such, when it comes to temperature control, all of the Traeger Timberline and Camp Chef Apex models above can be adjusted in 5-degree increments.
They also all have a very similar temperature range on the pellet side of things as well, with the Camp Chef Apex models able to go a little lower, down to 160 degrees.
On the higher-temperature end of things, this is where the Camp Chef Apex easily leads the Traeger Timberline.
No Traeger to date, which includes the Gen 1 Timberline models above has featured direct-flame access. Therefore, direct heat grilling is where Traeger’s ‘grills’ have always struggled.
I should note, unlike the Camp Chef Woodwind models these Apex models do not actually feature direct-flame access from the pellet fire.
However, due to the full-width array of propane burners across the entire cooking grate these Camp Chef Apex grills are some of the most capable BBQs to date.
Hence, these Camp Chef Apex grills can quickly go from ‘low and slow’ pellet smoking to high heat grilling via the propane burners, even both at the same time.
Therefore, when it comes to cooking performance and functionality, it has to be a win for the Camp Chef Apex.
Cooking Area & Hopper Capacities
If you check out the specs above, you will notice that when it comes to the overall cooking areas, the Traeger Timberline models have the edge.
Though, not by much, we are talking 40 to 60 sq.in more on the Timberline models over the Apex grills.
However, if you look at the sizes of the main cooking grates for grilling, then you will see its actually the Camp Chef Apex grills which have the edge.
When it comes to grilling area, the Camp Chef Apex grills offer 60 to 100 sq.in more than the respective Traeger Timberline grills.
Then factor in the additional cooking functionality of the Apex grills when it actually comes to grilling (the propane burners).
You would have to agree that when it comes to grilling the Apex grills are more capable, though the Timberline models do offer a little more when it comes to a cooking area for smoking.
The Camp Chef Apex grills have a slight advantage when it comes to hopper capacities holding 30lbs compared to 24 lbs on the Traeger’s.
But to be honest, either of these hopper capacities is easily sufficient to complete an overnight cook, even in colder climates.
Materials & Construction
Both the Traeger Timberline and Camp Chef Apex models above feature some stainless steel construction.
However, the Traeger Timberline models definitely have the edge on this front with a full stainless steel lined cooking chamber and stainless steel racks.
While the Camp Chef Apex grills feature some exterior stainless steel on the lid and front facia along with some stainless steel internal components, the racks are not stainless steel.
Therefore, the Traeger Timberline grills do feature more extensive use of stainless steel.
When it comes to the rest of the construction, the Traeger Timberline grills are powered-coated carbon steel, whereas the Camp Chef Apex grills are made from enamel-coated carbon steel.
When it comes to a more durable finish that will resist corrosion/rust for longer. Generally, a powered-coated finish is more durable.
Pricing & Value
Going off the current prices directly from the brand’s websites, the Traeger Timberline 850 is priced at $2,099, with the larger Timberline 1300 priced at $2,299.
The Camp Chef Apex 24″ with the gas kit is $2,199, and the Apex 36″ with the gas kit is $2,499. Hence, you have to pay $100 to $200 more for the Camp Chef Apex with a gas kit.
Then again, as discussed above, when it comes to the grilling area and grilling performance, the Camp Chef Apex grills have a significant advantage over the Traeger Timberline models.
The Camp Chef Apex 24″ without the gas kit is $1,799, and the Apex 36″ without the gas kit is $1,999. Without the gas kits, the Apex grills will have a similar grilling/searing performance to the Traeger Timberline models.
However, unlike the Traeger Timberline grills, the Camp Chef Apex grills can be updated at a later date if required with their respective gas kits.
Hence, I feel that the Camp Chef Apex grills are providing better value overall compared to the respective Traeger Timberline grills.
My Final Thoughts On Timberline vs Apex Pellet Grills
There are indeed a few features on the Traeger Timberline grills which I think are superior to the Camp Chef Apex.
Namely, the Timberline grills feature more twin-wall insulation and more stainless steel construction. Furthermore, the powder-coated steel is likely going to be more durable.
However, when reviewing both grills’ features overall, I do think the Camp Chef Apex is offering better value for money.
In terms of cooking functionality, due to the flexibility of being able to use either pellet heat or gas heat over the entire cooking chamber, the Apex has a big advantage.
Furthermore, the Camp Chef Apex can be purchased for a notably lower price point without the gas kit but still upgraded at a later date with gas functionality as and when required.
That’s it! I hope you found the Traeger Timberline vs Camp Chef Apex comparison above interesting/useful.
If you would like to learn more in general, please check out my Wood Pellet Grill/Smoker Guide. 🙂
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