Clermont grill and pellet smoker by Cuisinart

It was a Monday morning when the delivery truck unloaded this palette with a huge box, securely wrapped as if a belated Christmas present had arrived. That was the moment I said to myself, “What have I gotten myself into?” There’s about 3 feet of snow on the ground, so I need to find a way to get this beast inside to assemble and then move it to my backyard. Fortunately, Cuisinart made this task much easier than I thought it would be. Inside the box, all the parts and pieces were separated into smaller boxes that were well labeled with part numbers and illustrations. The only part that required extra hands was lifting the cooking chamber, which was quite heavy.

I’ve assembled a handful of Cuisinart BBQs before so I’m starting to know the “drill”. The thing is, the assembly is not my favorite part, probably just like many of you. I was relieved to find out that Cuisinart created an interactive 3D walkthrough for assembly on the BILT app. It really made this task much easier. The first part to build is the cart that the chamber will sit on. Then, the ash clean lock housing and door handles are installed, and the chamber needs to be lifted off and attached to the cart. The ash drawer and grease tray are then attached underneath. During these steps, you might need a flashlight to locate the screw holes. The next steps are to install the large wrap-around working surfaces. Finally, the sear shutter and grates are installed in the cooking chamber. What a satisfying feeling to see this nearly 233 lbs and 5 feet beast ready to get to work.

Cuisinart has really taken a step forward in the pellet smoker industry with the Clermont. Almost every detail has been thought through. The first things that stand out about the Clermont, are its size and appearance, so for me, it was love at first sight. I mean, I can’t remember ever seeing a such a tall pellet smoker before, and the design of this high-end unit is stunning as well. With its French doors that feature 2 large viewing windows, its stainless steel chamber frame and its large wrap-around working tables, it has everything to make your guests and neighbors envious.

And the smoking chamber, measuring 30 inches x 15 inches, has a 3 levels stainless steel racking system that you can adjust to 5 different levels so whether you are smoking briskets, pork shoulders, steaks, or ribs, you will never have trouble accommodating them and maximizing space. I was able to fit 10 racks of ribs and 4 pork shoulders.

I like to grill outside all year round, but where I’m from, winters are long, cold and rude. When It comes to low and slow smoking, indoor chamber temperature stability is critical and I can’t stand next to my smoker for 8-10 hours to monitor, otherwise I’ll end up in the hospital with frostbites and hypothermia. The Clermont really comes in handy here for many reasons.

1. Its hopper capacity of 40 lbs allows you to smoke for long periods of time without worrying about running out of pellets, especially when it’s cold outside and the pellet consumption rate is higher.
2. The commercial grade gasket surrounding the inside of the double French doors seals in the smoke, but also prevents wind and cold from entering and chilling the smoking chamber.
3. The Clermont is Wi-fi compatible so you can monitor and control temperatures from the comfort and warmth of your home. If you have a large home or a house configuration that limits Bluetooth range, you will be very pleased with this new feature. This is where Cuisinart really stands out on the competition for comparative pellet smokers.

The question is; does it really hold its temperature in the cold? I tested the Clermont with some massive beef shanks on a cold and windy day (-20°C / -4°F). In order to achieve a perfect fall-off-the-bone result, I had to keep the smoker temperature at 275°F for 10 consecutive hours, aiming an internal temperature of 203°F to 205°F. Throughout the cooking process, the Clermont maintained a temperature between 255°F and 285°F, which is much better than I expected in such poor weather conditions.

The other feature that I find very clever is the built-in searing shutter. Sliding from side to side opens the vents on top of the fire pot, allowing the flame to rise in the smoking chamber. Therefore, makes it possible to use the Clermont as a direct grill, and sear your meat over an open flame. It makes reverse searing so easy as you can do everything you need with just one grill.

Although they are not significant to me, I have noticed a few cons to the Clermont:

1. Cleaning takes more time and efforts, as the double glass windows get dirty faster from smoke and need to be cleaned after each use. It’s best to wipe them down immediately after use while the smoker is still hot. The sear trap also needs to be cleaned each time because when the accumulated grease cools down, it makes it hard to slide it out during subsequent usage.
2. The ash tray is located at the rear end of the Clermont, so you either need to leave the back easily accessible or move it around a bit each time you need to empty the tray. Fortunately, the Clermont is mounted on 4 pivotable wheels, so moving it around is a breeze.
3. The smoke level is not adjustable, so there’s no super smoke option. The Clermont provides an even amount of smoke throughout the cooking process.

When it comes to the joy of outdoor cooking, you obviously want a grill that perfectly suits your needs, but there is also a budget matter. Fortunately, the Clermont has one of the best price-to-performance ratios among comparable pellet smokers. It’s actually one of the most affordable pellet grill on the market, available at Walmart for just under $700. If you are looking for a versatile, reliable, and fun smoker, I highly recommend it, and if you are already convinced, I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.