Camp Chef Explorer 2x 14" Stove Cooking System- 2 Burner

I have a new office with private parking two blocks from the MSU football stadium and decided it might be fun to host "tail gate" parties for clients. Thus I was looking for a stove that could cook things quickly but also could be easily picked up and stored in a closet / file room when not in use. This unit has worked well for that purpose and is now hibernating for the winter. I also anticipate using it for my Rotary club events or other group outings.While I was at it I also ordered the windscreen, a BB30Lgrill box, a CGG16 cast iron grill / griddle, a Lodge Logic grill press with a spiral metal handle, spatula, flame diffuser, a pair of red side panels and a CB60 carry bag for the stove. All have worked well (though I've not yet had any need for the ... MoreI have a new office with private parking two blocks from the MSU football stadium and decided it might be fun to host "tail gate" parties for clients. Thus I was looking for a stove that could cook things quickly but also could be easily picked up and stored in a closet / file room when not in use. This unit has worked well for that purpose and is now hibernating for the winter. I also anticipate using it for my Rotary club events or other group outings.While I was at it I also ordered the windscreen, a BB30Lgrill box, a CGG16 cast iron grill / griddle, a Lodge Logic grill press with a spiral metal handle, spatula, flame diffuser, a pair of red side panels and a CB60 carry bag for the stove. All have worked well (though I've not yet had any need for the diffuser).The stove seems solid enough to last a century, yet it stores nicely in the carrying bag which has sleeves for the legs and a windscreen. The carrying bag is strong enough to carry the stove as if holding a gym bag. The manufacturer is not kidding when the directions say to open the propane valves slowly due to a blowout prevention system; open them slowly and it works fine. The individual legs lengths can be adjusted a couple inches,via thumbscrews, for uneven ground.The grill griddle combination works well; I actually am preferring the griddle side so that I can saute onions and peppers at the same time as a couple burgers or easily change from one food to the other. The cast iron press is kind of an antique (wire handle more durable than wood) that is functional for cooking burgers, etc. quickly. It only covers one burger or grilled sandwich; I should have ordered two.The grill box is not as heavy duty as other items, but it works. Come to think it, if it were made out of cast iron it might be too heavy to lift! I used it for satay (precooked frozen) shrimp on (metal) skewers, which can be made ahead of time and quickly cooked and the grill box did that fine.The main reason I'm taking time to write this review is the great customer service from the Camp Chef company. My stuff arrived missing one bolt assembly and one screw. The company quickly sent me the missing screw and a whole new handle package for the grill box. (The design is quite basic so I had substituted some larger bolts from my junk bin, but it's nice to have them all the same size.) Thus I'm glad to recommend the product.

Great stove, bad shipping

The camp stove itself is pretty awesome! The shipping, not so much. One of the short legs on the stove was bent extremely bad when it arrived. I did use a heavy pipe and, with a little eyeballing, get it back in line with the other legs without splitting the metal or breaking the weld to the burner frame. Shattered the powder coat all around it. Looks pretty rough but I'll try some epoxy paint on it. The stove is awesome but I would make the 2 hour drive to the store nearest to me, in hindsight. Shouldn't have to repair a brand new product.

Initial impressions

Debated this with the 32" wide griddle versus a blackstone. Primary use is tailgating. I thought this option would give me more flexibility. At this point in time, I've only gotten as far as seasoning the griddle but so far:1. I had concerns about the distance between the burners. That concern turned out to be valid. When I have the griddle surface 500 degrees over the burner, it's at least 100 degrees cooler in the middle. To the point that I can't season the middle of the griddle without lifting the griddle and offsetting it so that the middle is over one of the burners while the edge is overhanging. Since the griddle is so big, I'm hoping I have plenty of cooking surface.2. As noted, the gas control knobs get very hot. When running the grill on low with the ... MoreDebated this with the 32" wide griddle versus a blackstone. Primary use is tailgating. I thought this option would give me more flexibility. At this point in time, I've only gotten as far as seasoning the griddle but so far:1. I had concerns about the distance between the burners. That concern turned out to be valid. When I have the griddle surface 500 degrees over the burner, it's at least 100 degrees cooler in the middle. To the point that I can't season the middle of the griddle without lifting the griddle and offsetting it so that the middle is over one of the burners while the edge is overhanging. Since the griddle is so big, I'm hoping I have plenty of cooking surface.2. As noted, the gas control knobs get very hot. When running the grill on low with the griddle on, they measure 130 degrees.3. The stove puts out a ton of heat. Even on a very low setting, I can easily get the griddle over 500 degrees. It's almost too hot.4. The design isn't good - Why does the gas hose come out the front? Why are the control knobs set so far back under the stove? Why are the burners so far apart - the side of the griddle gets plenty hot, just moving them 1-2" close together would make a world of difference.At this price point, it's still the best portable option available in my opinion but a few simple changes could make it so much better.

It’s a Winner

I bought this as an alternative to buying a dedicated griddle. I wanted something I could do seafood boils, griddle foods like fajitas and burgers or bacon and use for outdoor cooking things like bacon which is not ideal for indoor splatter issues. It goes together easily. I did buy some cheaper leg leveler’s because my patio is paver bricks and slopes away for drainage. I fried up some thick cut bacon for its maiden voyage. It will take some experimentation to learn what is the right flame setting but I’m very happy with it. I’ll invest in the griddle soon. If you love cooking outdoors, it has a definite spot in your arsenal.

Perfect camp cooking and easy storage

I purchased this so it can be packed away easy and isn't to bulky, this fits the bill perfectly. I also purchased the Half Griddle for it and that is wonderful! We are Seniors and just my wife and I, plenty of cooking room with a big cast iron pan and the griddle on the other side. Camp Chef has proved themselves great again. I've had many Camp Chef products over the years and and we really love this set up. We had the older model of this for over 20 years and it finally just rusted out, it was time for new. I HIGHLY recommend this cooking platform, well worth the money you'll spend and you will get years of service.