Char-Broil SmartChef User Manual

Congratulations and welcome to ownership of your Simple
Smoker™ with SmartChef™. You now own the easiest to use
and most intelligent smoker on the market. With the Simple
Smoker’s intuitive design and the SmartChef monitoring and
control capabilities, you’ll be a BBQ hero in no time, no matter
what your skill level.

We suggest you take a few moments to read the Product
Guide to gain a basic understanding of the Char-Boil
SmartChef app and the components of the smoker to ensure
that you are familiar with both its construction and operation
before using.

Don’t forget to register your product at
support.charbroil.com/product-registgration to activate the
warranty. Y

ou can also mail the warranty card found on the

last page of your Product Manual, if you prefer.

HAPPY COOKING!

The Basics..........................................................................................................................1-2

Technical overview .....................................................................................................3-6

Char-Broil App.....................................................................................................................7

How to use your smoker .......................................................................................7-13

Cooking modes.............................................................................................9-10

Using the smoking basket...................................................................11-12

Using the smoker box............................................................................12-13

General Info.....................................................................................................................14

Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................15-17

Table of Contents:

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1

Basics on using your Simple Smoker...

Once your smoker is configured, using it is a snap.

1

2

3 4

1

2

3

4

Place the meat probe in the
center of your prepared meat.

Put the meat in the smoker,
add wood chips and connect
to the app.

With SmartChef, you know
exactly what’s happening in
your smoker, anytime from
anywhere, with updates on
your phone.

Focus on the party, the big
game or just relax worry-free ­SmartChef notifies you when
your meal is perfectly done
and ready to eat.

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2

How It Works

Because your smoker is Wi-Fi enabled, you can send and receive
information to or from it anywhere you have an internet connection.
Basically this is how it works:

1. Your smart device sends information through the cloud to your
smoker.

2. Your smoker sends info back through the cloud to your smart
device so you can see your cooking status/progress from
anywhere.

Char-Broil’s SmartChef products use the DADO™ platform to
connect your grill/smoker to the internet. The DADO™ button is
used to establish a connection to your home Wi-Fi.

And because your smoker is connected to the internet, it can
incorporate important real time information (such as outside temp
in your area) into your estimated cook time for more accurate
information.

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3

Smoker overview

Get familiar with the parts of your smoker.

Basket

Hook

Smoking

Basket

Half

Racks

Smoker

Box

Control

Panel

Meat

Probe

Grease

Tray

Power

Cord

Secondary

Basket

TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

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4

Control Panel

The Simple Smoker has a unique control panel designed
specifically to work with the Char-Broil app.

• Start/Stop button - initiates cook, once loaded from app

• Light ring - gives smoker status info to the user at a glance
(See light ring quick guide)

• Meat probe port - plug integrated probe into this port

• Presets - cycle through 3 pre-loaded, locally stored cook profiles
(see preset mode)

• DADO button - reset Wi-Fi broadcast/reset Wi-Fi credentials

Start/Stop

Light Ring

Meat Probe

DADO

Button

Presets

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5

Light Ring Guick Guide

The light ring on your smoker well give you a wealth of knowledge
about the status of your cook:

READY/ON

Once the appliance is

online and ready to

accept a profile, the

light should be
SOLID GREEN.

This lets you know the

appliance is on and

ready.

ERROR

RED FLASHING

START COOKING

After a profile has been

added to appliance the

green light should start

FLASHING.

This should catch your

eye, letting you know

that something needs

to be done.

COOKING

As food starts cooking,

the first quadrant

begins to FLASH

ORANGE. This should

continue through each

quadrant as the cook

progresses.

1 flash then solid,

2 flash then solid, etc.

You can see that your

food is cooking and

how far it is in the

process from a glance.

COOK IS DONE/WARMING

When cook is complete

it should change to a

FLASHING ORANGE

ring.

This will grab your

attention that an action

needs to be done.

READY/ON

Either after warming

expires (15 Min) or if

you remove food from

the bin the light should

go back to SOLID

GREEN.

Continued

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6

DADO Button/Light

The DADO light will inform you of the connection and functional
status of your smoker:

Here’s what the DADO button does:

OFF

Not connected to the

Internet.

ON/SOLID

Connected to the

Internet.

ON/BLINKING

(ONCE PER SECOND)

Either needs to be paired to the

home Wi-Fi network or (if that has

already happened) you need to

push the DADO button to try and

reconnect.

ON/BLINKING

(TWICE PER SECOND “RAPID”)

This should only happen when you

have initiated a firmware update

from the app. In this case the DADO

button needs to be pushed.

READY/ON

Either after warming expires (15

min) or if the user removes food
from the bin the light should go

back to solid green.

COOKING

As a food starts cooking, the first
quadrant begins to flash orange.

This should continue through each

quadrant as the cook progresses. 1

flash then solid, 2 flash then

solid...

User can see that their food is
cooking and how far it is in the

process from a glance.

START COOKING

After a profile has been added to

the appliance the green light

should start flashing.

This should catch the user’s eye,

letting them know that something

needs to be done.

COOK IS DONE/WARMING

When cook is complete it should
change to a flashing orange ring.

This will again, grab the users

attention that an action needs to

be done.

ERROR

Red flashing.

CLEANING

ORANGE FLASHING propeller.

Light up quadrants 2 & 4 (1 & 3 off),

then quadrants 1 & 3 (2 & 4 off),

repeat.

RUNNING CHIP BURN

ORANGE CHASING. Light up

quadrant 1 (2-4 off), then quadrant

2 (1, 3-4 off) and so on.

READY/ON

Either after warming expires (15
min) or if the user removes food

from the bin the light should go

back to solid green.

be done.

ERROR

Red flashing.

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7

Using the Char-Broil App

The Char-Broil SmartChef tech uses an app on your smart device to
control your cook.

1. Download Char-Broil App

The first step will be logging onto the App Store℠ (Apple® product)
or Google Play™ (Android™ product) and download the Char-Broil
app to your device.

2. Congure Char-Broil App

1. Open app and create a user login.

2. Once you are logged in, you will be able to configure your
device for use.

3. Use Char-Broil App

The app will guide you through the rest of the process.

Before Your First Cook...

You will find that most of the product assembly has been completed
for you at the factory. Complete any remaining steps and reference
all safety and usage information found in the Product Guide.
Make certain that the holes in the cooking chamber are positioned
towards the front of the unit. This will align the holes in the cooking
chamber with the holes in the smoker box so that smoke flows
properly during use.

Just like grandma’s cast iron skillet, the stainless steel Cooking
Chamber must be seasoned prior to use. This is most important
as it will allow the cooking chamber to work properly. In addition,
it will make cleaning easier and inhibit rusting. Coat all interior

CHAR-BROIL APP

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8

surfaces of the cooking chamber with vegetable oil. If you use a
vegetable spray, wipe down the cooking chamber after spraying to
ensure an even coat. Boot up the Char-Broil SmartChef app on your
smart device and run a cleaning cycle (found in the maintenance
section of the app), close the lid and allow it to heat until the
vegetable oil burns o and stops smoking. The shiny finish of the
stainless steel cooking chamber should now have a very dark brown
or bronze color.

You are now ready to cook. The more you use your Simple Smoker,
the better it will cook. The darker, more-seasoned, the cooking
chamber becomes the hotter and the more evenly it will cook. A
light coat of vegetable oil before each use will keep the surfaces
seasoned and help prevent any rusting – again, just like grandma’s
cast iron skillet.

On to the cooking!

This section will teach you how to cook with your new Simple
Smoker using SmartChef technology.

Cooking With SmartChef - The SmartChef system uses

changing meat temperature to attain real-time information about
your cook, which it then relays to you via the Char Broil app. The
app learns this temperature information through an integrated
meat probe that remains inside the meat throughout the cook. That
means it is important to properly place the meat probe to get as
accurate a reading as possible, which leads us to...

Good Meat Probe Etiquette:

• Insert the probe into the thickest part of the food - not touching
bone, fat or gristle before placing meat in the smoker. Once
the meat is in place you can connect the meat probe jack to the
smoker.

• After cooking, check the temperature in several places with the
probe and watch the reading on the status screen to make sure
the food is evenly heated.

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9

• Make sure to clean your food thermometer with hot, soapy,
water before and after each use. Do not immerse or wash in the
dishwasher.

• Use only the included meat probe.

COOKING MODES

There are three dierent modes to cook in when using your
SmartChef smoker:

1. Guided - Follow a guided path to choose, prepare and cook a meal

2. Manual - Select custom parameters to run your cook

3. Presets - Preset cooks are preloaded into your smoker’s memory.

For details on using wood chips for smoke, see “using the smoker
box”.

1. Guided Cook- Use this mode if you’re new to smoking, want

a little guidance, or just don’t know exactly what you want to make.
When you choose this mode, you will be taken through a guided
process in which you will indicate specifics of your cook such as
type of meat, how it will be prepared, and weight of meat. Once the
app knows the details it will give you preparation instructions and
estimated cook time. Simply add the recipe to the smoker and hit
the start button on your smoker to get started.

2. Manual Cook- Use this mode if you know exactly how

you want to cook. Manual mode works by cooking to custom
parameters that you set for the smoker. These parameters include
target meat probe temperature, chamber temperature, and cook
time. This allows you to cook how you want, while giving you all
the monitoring and control capabilities unique to our SmartChef
system. Next, add your parameters to the smoker and hit the start
button on control panel to get the cook started.

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10

3. Preset cooks- Use this mode if you want to quickly start a

cook or you don’t have access to a Wi-Fi network. Preset mode
works by using parameters that are preprogrammed into your
smoker. These cook profiles will cook to a specified internal meat
temp at a specified chamber temp. You will be able to monitor
progress via the light ring on your smoker’s control panel.

To use preset cooks:

1. Place meat probe into meat you want to cook

2. Put meat in smoking basket, then the basket into the easy
smoker, then plug the meat probe connector into the meat probe
port.

3. Push the preset button to cycle through your options. Stop
pushing when the number preset you want to run is lit up.

4. Push the start button to initiate the cooking process.

5. During the cook, pushing the preset button again will initiate
the wood chip smoke cycle. (See “using the smoke box”)

PRESET PARAMETERS:

Pulled Pork - Cook meat to 205 degrees @ 225 degrees

1

Beef Brisket - Cook meat to 200 degrees @ 225 degrees

2

Roasted Chicken/Turkey - Cook meat to 165 degrees @ 525 degrees

3

Monitor cook progress by
watching light ring

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11

Using The Smoking Basket

No matter how you choose to cook or what you are cooking, always
use the basket to hold your meat. Half shelves are included to allow
various setups. See the below images for some configurations:

Large cuts of meat

For large cuts such as boston butts or
briskets, use the two half shelves to
form a full shelf, in order to raise the
meat to about the halfway point of the
smoker.

Large poultry

For turkeys or large chickens, remove
the tie that binds the legs and place
in the basket vertically. Opening the
legs will allow the bird to cook evenly
and maintain its position. Always
position breast at the top.

Small meat or poultry

When cooking smaller items use the
half shelves to stagger the pieces of
meat on each side of the basket. This
will ensure even cooking.

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12

Tips on the basket...

• Allow a good 10-15 minutes for the basket to cool after it comes
out of the smoker. This will allow you to remove the meat from
the basket safely and easily.

• The secondary basket can be filled with side items such as
vegetables and stacked on the main smoking basket so that they
cook simultaneously.

• Always use the basket hook when removing basket from the
smoker.

Using The Smoker Box:

The smoker box is what enables you to add delicious smoke flavor
to your foods. Your SmartChef app allows you to add wood chips
during the cook with its “add chips” function. Tapping the “add
chips” button will initiate a high temp cycle which will fire up your
chips and get the smoke going. The app will notify you when its
time to add more chips as they burn through. Filling the smoker
box yields about 45 minutes to an hour of smoke.

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13

What Flavor Should I Use?

There are many wood chip types that result in dierent flavors.
Choosing a particular flavor may take some trial and error but the
chart below explains which woods will provide a more heavy, full
flavor and which will provide a more mild, light flavor. This is a
good starting point on your way to choosing your favorite flavors.

NOTE:

• You do not need to soak the wood chips in water before use.
Soaking the wood chips will not extend the smoking time; only
lengthen the time before they start to smoke.

• The smoker box is designed for wood chips or pellets only, do
not use wood chunks.

Wood Flavor

Hickory

Oak

Pecan

Mesquite

Alder

Maple

Apple

Cherry

Heavier

Lighter

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14

Remember, these are just estimates to help you plan by. Always
make sure you cook to the internal temperature listed in this chart:

GENERAL INFO

Lets get to the cooking! But first, here’s a quick guide to estimate
cooking times so you can better plan out your cooking:

Meat Meat Cut

Cooking

Temp

Estimated Cook

Time

Target

Temp

Pork

Beef

Poultry

Fish

Butt (Pulled)

Butt (Sliced)

Spare Ribs

Baby Back Ribs

Brisket (Pulled)

Brisket (Sliced)

Ribs

Chicken (Whole)

Turkey (Whole)

225 °F

225 °F

225 °F

225 °F

225 °F

225 °F

225 °F

250 °F

250 °F

225 °F

90-120 Mins Per Pound

90-120 Mins Per Pound

5-7 Hours (Total)

4-6 Hours (Total)

70-90 Mins Per Pound

70-90 Mins Per Pound

3-4 Hours (Total)

30-45 Mins Per Pound

30-45 Mins Per Pound

40-60 Mins Per Pound

205 °F

180 °F

190 °F

190 °F

200 °F

190 °F

175 °F

165 °F

165 °F

150 °F

Meat

USDA RECOMMENDED SAFE

MINIMUM

INTERNAL TEMPERATURES

Beef, Veal, Lamb

Steaks & Roast

(with a 3 minute rest)

145 °F

Fish

145 °F

Pork

(with a 3 minute rest)

145 °F

Beef, Veal, Lamb

Ground

160 °F

Turkey, Chicken & Duck

165 °F

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15

TROUBLESHOOTING

This guide will help with general setup and connection issues.

Phase

Setup

Setup

Setup

Setup

Setup

Discovery

Problem Possible Cause Prevention/Solution

Unable to configure
new appliance­DADO butt

on is

not flashing

User waited longer
than 5 min
to attempt
configuration and
wireless radio
powered down
due to security
restrictions.

1. Pr

ess DADO

button to initiat

e

c

onfigur

ation mode,

c

onfirm DADO butt

on is

flashing

User wait

ed longer
than 5 min
to attempt
configuration and
wireless radio
powered down
due to security
restrictions.

1. Res

tart applianc

e by

r

emoving power

Unable to configure
new appliance­DADO butt

on is

not flashing

1. Go t

o the app stor

e

and do

wnload/update

User may not have
the appropriate app
installed for the new
appliances

Unable to
communicate with
new appliance
during
configuration- DADO
Button is Flashing

1. Launch updated
application and initiate
c

onfigur

ation mode

by pr

essing the D

ADO

butt

on-

DADO button

should be flashing

User may not hav

e
the appropriate app
installed for the new
appliances

Unable to
communicate with
new appliance
during
configuration- DADO
Button is Flashing

1. Re- enter the c

orr

ect

pas

sword

2. User should verify
security settings
(WP

A/WPA2)

User entered the
incorrect router
password and
attempt to
re-enter the correct
password

User sees
appliance, attempts
configuration and
receives incorrect
password error

1. Ensure phone and
applianc

e ar

e on the

same Wi-Fi netw

ork

Phone is not on the
same network at the
appliance

First run, app does
not discover an
appliance that has
been previously
setup

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16

Phase

Discovery

Problem Possible Cause Prevention/Solution

App does not
discover an
appliance that has
been previously
setup

App not
communicating
properly with the
cloud and appliance

1. Cl

ose app and restart

Discovery

App does not
discover an
appliance that has
been previously
setup

App not
communicating
properly with the
cloud and appliance

1. P

ower cycl

e the

applianc

e and wait f

or it

t

o reboot and connect

Discovery

App does not
discover an
appliance that has
been previously
setup

Appliance is still
connecting to the
Wi-Fi router

1. W

ait for appliance

to complete c

onnecting

with the Wi- Fi rout

er.

2. Onc

e user receiv

es
a push notification that
applianc

e ready, the

y
may open the app and
s

tart using

Discovery

When restarting the
app, the phone does
not connect to the
appliance

Phone and
appliance are not
on the same Wi-Fi
network

1. Check t

o ensur

e
appliance and phone
ar

e on the same Wi-

Fi

network

Usage

Appliance looses
communication with
the Phone

During normal
usage, the user may
close the phone
or app. Once the
phone is open and
the app is running
it can take up to
30 seconds to
reconnect

1. Wait for phone
t

o reconnect t

o the

appliance

2. If aft

er 30 sec

onds
and the appliance is not
c

ommunicating, rest

art

the app

Usage

User stops receiving
push notification

Cache full or
connection not
being made

1. Restart phone and
app typic

ally fix

es this

is

sue.

Usage

Appliance message
in app alerts
user that it is
disconnected

Appliance rebooting
or not properly
powered

1. W

ait for applianc

e
to finish booting and
c

onnecting t

o the Wi-Fi

netw

ork

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17

For additional troubleshooting please refer to the Char-Broil
SmartChef app.

Phase Problem Possible Cause Prevention/Solution

Appliance message
in app alerts
user that it is
disconnected

Appliance rebooting
or not properly
powered

1. Check t

o ensur

e the
appliance is plugged in
and pr

operly working

Usage

Appliance message
in app alerts
user that it is
disconnected

Appliance rebooting
or not properly
powered

1. Power cycle the
applianc

e, rest

art app,
and ensure you are
on the same Wi-Fi
netw

ork.

Usage

App attempts
connection to
appliance and
does not complete
connection (spinner)

Out of range or
connection not
established

1. Res

tart applic

ation
and attempt to connect
t

o existing appliance.

Usage

No connection No response during

connection

Power cycle the
appliance

General

No connection Other internet

devices connecting
but not Simple
Smoker

Power cycle the
appliance

General

No connection No response, not

completing scan

Power cycle the router/
modem. Call internet
provider if issue
persists.

General

AN 15.124440

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