Anyone have this? I was thinking about getting a pellet smoker, I like the idea of being to smoke or grill so looking something that will run 200-500 degrees. But found out they struggle when it's cool out.
I've been watching YouTube videos on these and look awesome.
Your opinions and advice are welcome, especially seeing how expensive they are.

There was a thread about the big green egg[BGE] last year. Consensus was it is pretty awesome smoker. I have a traeger, no issues in the cold but you will get better smoke from a bge and be able to hit any temp you want where as the traeger type stuff stops around 475°. I opted for the traeger out of pure laziness. If i was going to truly smoke id prolly go for a BGE or similar type grill. There are a few other brands that were mentioned in the thread too that are similar to BGE

I've got a Weber stand up smoker (looks like a black R2D2)-the cold really affects it and my prior smoker...a side box smoker.

Buddy has a BGE and it is pretty much perfect....cold doesn't bother it at all

But sweet jeebus was it expensive

I love mine. I bought mine in Alaska, cooked year around with it there, moved it to Calgary, cooked year around with it there, moved it to Houston, and cook with it here.

Here is Thanksgiving dinner a few years back in Alaska:


It doesn't struggle when cold out and will use less charcoal than uninsulated smokers/grills. BTW, the OP's cooking temp range is off too - 160F to 750+F.

Dealer experience and support is important. Take a look at BGE, Primo, and Kamodo Joe. All have high quality ceramics and as a result have 20+ year warranties (Lots of knock-offs on the market with short warranties). In my case, the Primo vs big green egg vs Kamodo Joe decision was easy. The Primo dealer sucked (zero inventory, 12 week delivery, and had to look up the prices), there was no Kamodo Joe dealer, and the big green egg dealer was awesome (every model on display, had every model in stock, the salesman owned multiple, the salesman bought them for his adult children, and was a wealth of knowledge).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tatortodd,

Have had a BGE for 7 years or so. Very versitile and very easy to grill or smoke on after a short learning curve. Komado Joe makes a good looking product as well. I'd stick with one of the brands that has a lifetime warranty as the ceramic occasionally cracks.
I'd recommend spending some time over at egghead forum.com. Lots of good advice there. Have a peek at the table section as there are some beautiful examples there.

Very glad I bought mine. Use it alot.

I'd love to have one but am not rich enough to drop 1200 bucks on a smoker.

A coworker has one and raves about it.

I have the Kamodo Joe, which is like the BGE, but comes with all the necessary accessories included.

I am beyond pleased with it.

It was substantially less than the BGE and is available at ACE Hardware and Costco.

quote:

Originally posted by TBH:
Anyone have this? I was thinking about getting a pellet smoker, I like the idea of being to smoke or grill so looking something that will run 200-500 degrees. But found out they struggle when it's cool out.
I've been watching YouTube videos on these and look awesome.
Your opinions and advice are welcome, especially seeing how expensive they are.

I've done a ton of research on pellet smokers and I really like this one Rec Tec appears to well made and a great warranty. Sadly I just missed a scratch and dent sale in March !! I especially like the cold smoke add on box, a great way to smoke cheese or salmon.

Here's two 11lb Boston Butts on my Joe.

I bought my large BGE at an 'Egg-Fest'. Once a year, our local dealer has an outdoor cooking demonstration with about 25 BGEs. Most of these Eggs are brand new, store inventory. The purpose is to introduce potential buyers to the foods that can be cooked on an Egg. Experienced owners come and cook anything from beef to cakes to cookies and for a small eating fee, you can pass through and have a pretty good lunch. I think we paid $15 for each of our tickets.

These 'once baked eggs' are then sold for about 20% off with additional savings on eggcessories.

I reserved mine a couple of weeks before the big show and haven't regretted since. That was about 5 years ago.

Look for Egg-Fests in your area.

Mike

I have the chargriller acorn. Very happy with it. The smoking stone was 40$ and the cover was 25$ so add 65$ to the cost.

The food comes out amazing. The chargriller is steel not ceramic so a cover is needed, and i wouldn't take temps past 6-700 but i only use it for low and slow cooking. Clean up is easy and there is a ton of accessories you can buy for it. My next one is a temp control fan.

quote:

Originally posted by TBH:
But found out they struggle when it's cool out.

I've had no problems w/ mine in the winter. The ceramic is thick enough that it retains heat well for low and slow.
Your post is the first time I've ever heard that.

This topic has come up before on the forum and I will admit to being an unapologetic egghead, I even have more than one t-shirt! To me the BGE is the SIG of backyard cooking. I bought one about 8 years ago and I did not really know how to grill or smoke anything at the time. I have become a pretty good cook now thanks to attending a few eggfests and reading the eggheadforum.

Yes I spent a some money on it but it a combination grill and smoker that does not really compromise in any area, and it has a lifetime warranty. Sear a steak at 700* with ease, or smoke a brisket at 250* for 15 hours on one load of lump charcoal.

The second biggest recommendation I have is go to thermoworks.com and get a thermopop for $29, or the more expensive thermompen. So many recipes say cook till done, well I didn't know when done was before I got an instant read thermometer and would burn things up.

Thanks all for replying. I think I'm sold except for checking out Kamodo Joe.
I might get a smaller one to try for a couple of years, and upgrade if needed.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
I have the Kamodo Joe, which is like the BGE, but comes with all the necessary accessories included.

I am beyond pleased with it.

It was substantially less than the BGE and is available at ACE Hardware and Costco.

I think it is a better design too and I have TWO BGE's.

quote:

Originally posted by TBH:
I might get a smaller one to try for a couple of years, and upgrade if needed.

IMO, buying a kamodo is like buying a gun safe - buy more than you think you need.

Racks of ribs fit perfect on the large BGE (18.25" cooking grate), but if you buy smaller then you have to cut all of your racks in half. The only exception that I know about is the Primo Oval JR 200 since it is oval and the long dimension is 18.5"

I bought a small size BGE to start, knowing full well I was going to buy a bigger one later. I live by myself so it works for me and I can cook 1 chicken on it, steaks, even smoke an 8lb pork butt on it for 12 hours.

I bought the large size a year later and it's a better cooker for 5 to 6 people. I am confident enough in my cooking now to want to cook for people. Last summer I hosted a barbecue, double stacked the grates, put two 15lb briskets on and fed 30 people. I got rave reviews on the food.

quote:

Originally posted by dsiets:

quote:

Originally posted by TBH:
But found out they struggle when it's cool out.

I've had no problems w/ mine in the winter. The ceramic is thick enough that it retains heat well for low and slow.
Your post is the first time I've ever heard that.

I thought that was the whole point of their design? That it didn't really matter if it's 85 degrees or -10 degrees?

quote:

Originally posted by TBH:
Thanks all for replying. I think I'm sold except for checking out Kamodo Joe.
I might get a smaller one to try for a couple of years, and upgrade if needed.

I have two BGE's ~ one large and one med.
I hardly ever use the smaller one.
Heat control is much better in the bigger ones and that is a critical feature.
So buy once and cry once and get more than you think you might need.
Note: if I already didn't have the BGE's I'd do a Kamodo Joe in a heartbeat.
I got my eggs in payment for money owed but I still love it/them.

I went with the Broil King Keg version and couldn't be happier. Even comes with a truck hitch so you can take it to tailgates.
Broil King Keg