# Char-Broil SmartChef Grill

> Remote monitoring and control for Char-Broil SmartChef TRU-Infrared Gas Grills. (iPhone/iPad app by Char-Broil, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/char-broil-smartchef-grill/id1161465607 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Char-Broil, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1237794347)
- Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.20/5 from 35 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 30 MB
- Languages: American English, Canadian French, Mexican Spanish
- Released: 2017-01-03
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/char-broil-smartchef-grill/id1161465607/reviews.md

## What is Char?

Now you’re cookin’ with the Char-Broil SmartChef® Gas Grill app. Enjoy more time with your family and friends while your Char-Broil SmartChef TRU-Infrared Gas Grill delivers state-of-the-art monitoring and control capabilities directly to your iPhone.

Char-Broil SmartChef technology utilizes the cloud to wirelessly exchange information between your gas grill and your iPhone, allowing you to monitor your gas grill in real time from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. SmartChef technology combined with our TRU-Infrared cooking system makes it easier than ever to deliver great tasting food every time.

Discover new recipes and expert tricks for a perfect cook every time. The Char-Broil SmartChef Gas Grill app can guide your meal every step of the way, or step into the background and only notify you when your food is almost done.
 
The Char-Broil SmartChef Gas Grill app delivers ‘real-time’ alerts and monitors your grill while you spend more time with friends and family.  With the Char-Broil SmartChef Gas Grill app, you can: 
•	Control pre-heat settings and grill temperatures.
•	Choose between a step-by-step, guided cook that automatically sets up recipes and cooking cycles, or manually set the temps and timers to your own liking. 
•	Get updates on grill and food temperatures, fuel levels and burner status.  
•	Get alerts so you know when your grill is ready for grilling, cool enough to cover and even if your grill experiences any significant temperature changes. 

Now you’re cookin’!

## Key features

- Remote grill monitoring
- Real-time temperature alerts
- Guided recipe cooking
- Manual temperature and timer settings
- Fuel level and burner status updates
- Pre-heat setting control

## Recent user reviews (10 of 17)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/char-broil-smartchef-grill/id1161465607/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Read the name

*2023-04-29*

I was getting really upset with app at first then found out that I had the one for the grill and not the smoker

### 1/5 — App is worthless

*2021-02-07*

Trying to setup this app currently before the Super Bowl. Customer service is useless turned off wi-fi assist and all the other things and still useless.

### 5/5 — Finally, I got it connected! Follow these instructions if you need help.

*2020-07-20*

I’m pretty sure the firmware these grills shipped with had a bug. Some WiFi routers don’t work well for whatever reason. It could be the network name, password, something. I tried changing all types of settings on my WiFi, but I finally got it working using my personal hotspot. I used an iPhone 11 (iOS 13) and set my user name to all lowercase letters “matthew” and my password to my phone number “1234567890” (for example). After reading several reviews, I thought the grill might be rejecting some “special” characters, which could be capitals or symbols, who knows. To change the name of the hotspot, go to Settings > General > About > Name. The password can be modified in Settings > Personal Hotspot. I did use an Android phone to go through the setup of the app (since my iPhone was supplying the WiFi). I would suggest connecting the extra phone to your hotspot first before going through setup in the app. If you can’t see the grill network name pop up under WiFi and are getting a solid white dado button, then you need to turn off your existing WiFi. You could change the name of the your 2.4 GHz network if you want, but unplugging the router temporarily is probably easiest. Once the grill no longer sees your existing WiFi, the dado button should start blinking, and then you can connect to the CB_GRILL_DADO network. If you get an error, reboot the grill and then try to reconnect. Be patient. 

Once I completed the setup and the grill connected to my phone’s hotspot, the dado started flashing more rapidly, which means a firmware upgrade is ready. The app should also say something. I didn’t turn the grill off and back on, but pressed the dado button since it was already flashing. The circle of lights flashed for a while, 3 minutes or so. I think it did go green completely once and then started flashing green/yellow again. Might have took about 5 minutes total. Once it was back to normal, I turned off my hotspot and then went through the settings on the app to change networks again. The dado light should start slowly blinking again once the hotspot is off. It connected fine to the 2.4 GHz band of my 802.11ac router with WPA2 AES security just fine (make sure to plug your router back in if you unplugged it earlier). The WiFi module itself is 802.11g so you can’t run in n-only mode. I am pretty sure 5.8 GHz WiFi will not work as 802.11g never supported it. 

I’m so glad it’s finally connected. My WiFi network does include a dash in the name with an uppercase letter and the password is all lowercase letters. I’m hoping the new firmware can support all types of network names/passwords. If you don’t want to change your network name/password to get it working, a simple guest network setup might do it. Check your router’s manual for how to enable that feature. I have two of these grills and this worked fine on both so hope it helps someone else!

### 1/5 — Keep your gift receipts this Christmas

*2019-11-29*

Received this grill last Christmas and have yet to get the WiFi connection to work. I’m pretty good with technology and it will not connect. Disabling WiFi assist did not work. Return and get a better non-charbroil brand smoker if you can. Save yourself time and money.

### 1/5 — Don’t waste your money

*2019-11-28*

Received as a gift, never got it to work.

### 4/5 — Finally got it to work

*2019-06-18*

I added a WiFi booster near the grill and it solved the”opps” error. It also took a bit to figure out the Control cooking feature. Once we figured it out I really like it. Not too crazy about having to plug-in the grill when using the manual mode.

### 1/5 — Just horrible

*2019-06-04*

I received this grill as a Christmas gift. I opened it to find that it was broken out of the box. I called Customer Support and they promptly shipped me a new part - that was also broken. I was sent the same part (after being on back order) and finally able to fire up the grill. The app is worthless and does not connect. I turned off WiFi Assist as indicated in other posts. After 3 hours of working and trying to get the grill to connect - it never did. Wasted almost 5 months and 15+ hours on this grill. End the end - absolute garbage!!!!!

### 1/5 — Junk

*2019-04-01*

This app blows, can’t connect to WiFi. Keeps giving the error “oops, something went wrong”.  Support is a joke.  I’ve reset the router, moved the grill, reset power... nothing works.

### 5/5 — Wifi works great.

*2019-03-23*

I like everything about the grill and app.

### 1/5 — Unbelievably worthless app and grill WiFi

*2019-02-07*

I literally invested hours trying to get this thing to work including quality time with their “support team” (clueless). Sometimes the app connects but most of the time it doesn’t. Connecting to Wi-Fi is not rocket science and I can’t believe the developers and charbroil haven’t come up with a solution to this issue that has been over a year now. The grill works well once you figure out how to use it without the app but not a good investment overall. Extremely disappointing!

## Frequently asked questions about Char

### What is the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app's rating?

The Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app has a rating of 2.2 stars based on 35 user ratings.

### What devices does the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app support?

The Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app is compatible with iPhone and iPod devices.

### How often is the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app updated?

The Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app was last updated on February 11, 2020, with version 2.0.2.

### What is the age rating for the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app?

The Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app has an age rating of 4+.

### Can I control my grill temperature with the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app?

Yes, you can control pre-heat settings and grill temperatures remotely using the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app.

### Does the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app offer guided cooking instructions?

Yes, the app provides a step-by-step guided cook option that automatically sets up recipes and cooking cycles.

### What kind of alerts can I expect from the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app?

You will receive alerts for when your grill is ready, cool enough to cover, and if there are any significant temperature changes.

### Is the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app free to download?

Yes, the Char-Broil SmartChef Grill app is available for free download.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.2 — 2020-02-11

Small Bug Fixes.

### 2.0.1 — 2019-09-24

Updates for iOS 13 changes.

### 2.0.0 — 2017-07-12

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 1.1.0 — 2017-05-02

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 1.0.0 — 2017-01-03

No release notes.

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## More apps by Char-Broil, LLC

- [Char-Broil SmartChef Smoker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/char-broil-smartchef-smoker/id1238426470)
- [Oklahoma Joe's](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oklahoma-joes/id6446285765)

All apps by Char-Broil, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1237794347

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*