# Char-Broil SmartChef Smoker > Remote control and monitoring for WiFi-enabled smokers. (iPhone/iPad app by Char-Broil, LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/char-broil-smartchef-smoker/id1238426470 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Char-Broil, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1237794347) - Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle - Price: Free - Rating: 1.40/5 from 199 App Store ratings · 83 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.0 · 74 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2017-07-10 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/char-broil-smartchef-smoker/id1238426470/reviews.md ## What is Char? Now you’re cookin’ with the Char-Broil SmartChef® Smoker App. Spend time with your family and friends while your Char-Broil WiFi-enabled SmartChef Smoker is controlled directly from your iPhone. SmartChef technology utilizes the Cloud to wirelessly exchange information between your SmartChef Smoker and your iPhone, allowing you to monitor and control your smoker in real time from anywhere with a data connection. SmartChef technology makes it easier than ever to create perfectly cooked meals in your smoker. The Char-Broil SmartChef Smoker app lets you pick the level of interaction you have with your connected smoker. Discover new recipes with The SmartChef Smoker app’s guided recipe sytem which will guide your meal every step of the way. Already know what you want to make? Use the manual cook mode to set your cook times and temps, and still benefit from real time notifications. Either way you choose to cook, you get perfect results every time. Now you’re cookin’! ## Key features - Remote smoker control - Real-time monitoring - Guided recipe system - Manual cook mode - Notifications ## What do users think of Char? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - ✅ Works flawlessly when properly configured - 🔧 Solid performance after initial setup - ⏱️ Convenient remote monitoring capability - 🎯 Dummy-proof cooking once connected - 📱 Easy app interface for experienced users **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent WiFi connectivity failures - 🔐 Password reset functionality broken - ❌ No manual override controls available - ⚠️ App-dependent operation only - 🔌 Server/DADO network frequently down - 📵 Inconsistent app performance across devices - 🔄 Requires constant app reinstallation - ⏳ Extremely difficult initial setup process - 🚫 Cannot operate without app connection - 💔 Poor customer support responsiveness - 🔀 App crashes mid-cooking session - ❌ Firmware updates frequently fail - 🌐 Incompatible with special characters in WiFi passwords - 📱 Only works on newer iPhone models - 🔧 Overly complex user interface - ⚙️ Rigid cooking parameters with no flexibility - 🎯 Inaccurate temperature readings - 🔄 Frequent disconnections during use - 📊 Cannot display real-time smoker temperature - 🚫 Requires WiFi even for basic operation **Commonly reported bugs** - App won't connect to smoker after login - Password reset doesn't work for app accounts - Cannot create new accounts due to email already exists error - DADO network disappears after initial connection - App freezes during cooking sessions - Firmware update fails repeatedly - App signs user out unexpectedly mid-cook - Partial UI elements not fully visible on screen - Dropdown menus fail to display options - App crashes when selecting probe temperatures - Incompatible with older iPhone models - App won't recognize smoker as online despite solid connection - Temperature readings not updating in real-time - App won't allow logout functionality - Smoker randomly heats up without command - Manual mode doesn't work despite being available - App requires full restart to reconnect - WiFi connection drops frequently during use - Notifications never work - App becomes unresponsive during cooking **Most requested features** - Manual override controls for smoker operation - Offline mode capability without WiFi - Adjustable temperature and time controls via arrow buttons - Custom smoking session builder - Support for 3-2-1 ribs method preset - Temperature change notifications/alerts - Mid-cook adjustable recipes - Simplified setup process - Real-time smoker temperature display - Simultaneous display of smoker and probe temperatures - More recipe options and customization - Ability to change settings without restarting from beginning - Support for higher temperature settings (above 250°F) - Waterproof controller board - Better app design and UX improvements - Backward compatibility with older app versions ## Recent user reviews (10 of 83) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/char-broil-smartchef-smoker/id1238426470/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Can’t reset password *2025-02-06* I forgot my password since I hadn’t ever used it since I bought it 7 years ago. It is my backup smoker. My master built finally gave out after ten years of dependable service. I thought thank goodness I have a backup only to find I can’t even change my password. By looking at all the other comments I don’t think it would have worked anyway. So now I’m going to strip what I can from it and off it goes to the land fill. I’m definitely going to buy a different brand from now on! ### 1/5 — Horrible *2024-11-03, version 2.0.5* Forgot password and reset doesn’t work. Tried to create a new account, email already exists. Why the security? The only people who can use my smoker are the Chinese hackers. Waste an hour trying to turn on a smoker every time I try to use it. There is no manual override on my smoker, must use the app. Avoid at all costs ### 1/5 — Poor app bricks smoker *2024-09-11, version 2.0.5* Really wanted to make this work but couldn’t even get through setup. Since there are virtually no manual controls on the smoker it is rendered useless. I am relatively advanced on network tech and this this is just unusable. ### 1/5 — Char-Broil employees should quit *2024-09-01, version 2.0.5* Terrible app, no support. Company should be ashamed and everyone who works here should feel bad about their life choices. ### 1/5 — How is CharBroil still in business? *2024-07-06, version 2.0.5* Worst app experience of all time. Smoking meat requires timing, I spent an hour and a half getting it working. Going to be very late for the 4th celebration. Last CharBroil product I ever buy. ### 1/5 — WORST PRODUCT EVER!! *2024-01-12, version 2.0.5* IF I COULD GIVE THIS APP ZERO STARS, I WOULD! I did everything correct in order to set up my smoker and the app, and it does not work at all! I’m so shocked that CHAR-BROIL would make a product that is not user friendly. ### 1/5 — No need to Repeat *2023-05-21, version 2.0.5* Everyone else says it all… DO NOT BUY CHARBROIL PRODUCTS. Nuff said. ### 1/5 — App and resetting the password *2023-05-08, version 2.0.5* If I could give this app and customer service 0 stars I would. Apparently customer service thinks resetting the password for your website account is the same as the app. It’s not. Why? Don’t know. So I cannot reset my password for the app nor can I log in because when I set up a new account it says my email is already in use. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2022-10-02, version 2.0.5* I’ve gotten this app to work twice. This last time it was mid chip burn and it signed me out and deleted my account info, and now I can’t get the smoker to work at all… so so disappointed. I dont know if it’s the app or the smoker. But either way don’t get either! ### 1/5 — Terrible *2022-09-14, version 2.0.5* Every negative comment you read about this smoker and app is an understatement. This is the worst product I have ever purchased. The smoker will not operate without the app and the app never works. Customer support does not exist. I will never buy another Char-Broil product. ## Frequently asked questions about Char ### What does the Char-Broil SmartChef Smoker app do? This app allows you to wirelessly monitor and control your Char-Broil WiFi-enabled SmartChef Smoker directly from your iPhone. It uses cloud technology to exchange information, enabling real-time adjustments and notifications from anywhere with a data connection. ### What are the key features of the app? Key features include remote control of your smoker, real-time monitoring of cooking progress, a guided recipe system to help you create meals, and a manual cook mode for setting custom times and temperatures. You also receive notifications about your cooking. ### Is the Char-Broil SmartChef Smoker app free to use? Yes, the app is free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the provided description. ### What kind of results can I expect when using this app? The app is designed to make it easier than ever to create perfectly cooked meals in your smoker. Whether you use the guided recipes or manual cook mode, the goal is to achieve perfect results every time. ### Who is this app intended for? This app is intended for individuals who own a Char-Broil WiFi-enabled SmartChef Smoker. It allows them to spend more time with family and friends while their smoker is managed remotely. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.0.5 — 2020-08-08 Updated images ### 2.0.4 — 2020-02-11 Small Bug Fixes. ### 2.0.3 — 2019-09-30 Updates for changes in iOS 13 ### 2.0.2 — 2017-10-17 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 2.0.1 — 2017-07-12 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ## More apps by Char-Broil, LLC - [Char-Broil SmartChef Grill](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/char-broil-smartchef-grill/id1161465607) - [Oklahoma Joe's](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oklahoma-joes/id6446285765) All apps by Char-Broil, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1237794347 --- *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.*