Inside the Apex
The Apex is one of the most ambitious grill/smoker combos to come out of Camp Chef, and it shows. Designed from scratch, this unit is built to be a true backyard workhorse. You can pick it up as a pellet smoker in its base form, or go for the full experience by adding the gas upgrade (an additional $500 at the time of writing), which also includes the versatile Sidekick attachment.
It features the same Wi-Fi enabled controller used in the popular Woodwind series, bringing smart control to your cooks. Core conveniences like the ash dump system and pellet clean-out also make a return here. One of the notable upgrades is the hopper—it’s been expanded to a generous 30 lb capacity and includes a low-level sensor that alerts you when it’s time to refill.
Build Quality & Design
The Apex is built like a tank. It features double-wall construction throughout nearly the entire cook chamber, offering excellent heat retention and durability. The design is clearly well thought out, from top to bottom.
The included Sidekick has been updated to match the Apex’s sleek, modern aesthetic, and the heavy-duty casters make moving this grill around your patio or yard effortless. A sturdy lower shelf ties it all together, providing extra storage and reinforcing the already beefy new leg design for added stability.
Camp Chef Apex Assembly
Assembling the Camp Chef Apex is a relatively straightforward process. However, given its weight, I recommend having a helping hand. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and Camp Chef has recently made things even easier by individually labeling the parts bags according to the step you’re on—super convenient!
It took Todd and me about an hour to put together the 36" Apex, including the extra shelf and gas kit, so the process isn’t overly time-consuming.
The Gas Kit & Sidekick
One of the standout features of the Apex is the add-on gas kit and the versatile Sidekick system. The Sidekick brings a powerful 30k BTU burner to the side of your grill, opening up a world of possibilities. It’s compatible with any of Camp Chef’s 14" camp stove accessories, allowing you to easily add a BBQ box, griddle, pizza oven, and more—without needing separate appliances for each task.
While the Sidekick is available separately with the Woodwind lineup, with the Apex, you get the added bonus of the gas burners bundled right in. It’s a fantastic way to expand your cooking capabilities with minimal extra equipment.
