Ive got a BGE and need a second one for another location. Don’t really want to pay $800-$1000 if anybody know of a good cheap copy. Or is there another style entirely that I should be looking at? I’ve got a traeger pellet grill already.

There's a couple that I've been looking at.

The London Sunshine Ceramic, Amazon has it for under $250.00.
Amazon.com: London Sunshine Ceramic Charcoal BBQ Kamado Grill Smoker - Portable Tabletop Cadet Series -Orange : Patio, Lawn & Garden https://www.amazon.com/London-...09479T5FK-&hvexpln=0

It's on the small size, don't know how big you need.


ARman

I know a few people who scored sweet deals on FB Marketplace on the big 3 (BGE, Primo, and Kamado Joe). They're too much work for some people so they switch to pellet smokers.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I know a few people who scored sweet deals on FB Marketplace on the big 3 (BGE, Primo, and Kamado Joe). They're too much work for some people so they switch to pellet smokers.

I've had BGEs for 10 years. I would also look a used deal on any of the big 3 before getting a cheap knockoff. I still have my Dad's 1974 japan import Imperial Kamado (BGE later copied it). I like good stuff and the ceramics in the big 3 should last a long time.

Many years ago, my wife bought me a Vision Grills Classic, on close out from Costco (they had them like 2 seasons), it has been great. I’ve basically adapted accessories from other manufacturers, but has been very flexible and sturdy. Price is about 2/3 of a comparable BGE. Some day, I might pull the trigger on a Big Joe for some more space, but I’ve managed to cook an 18# spatchcock turkey and 13# briskets on it. For our family, it’s been excellent and a great value.

Honestly, a $150 22 inch Weber kettle grill using the charcoal snake method is all you need.

I’ve made pretty damn good ribs, brisket and pork butt on a Weber using that method.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Honestly, a $150 22 inch Weber kettle grill using the charcoal snake method is all you need.

I’ve made pretty damn good ribs, brisket and pork butt on a Weber using that method.

I put a chunk of wood every few inches too, keeps the smoke going

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Honestly, a $150 22 inch Weber kettle grill using the charcoal snake method is all you need.

I’ve made pretty damn good ribs, brisket and pork butt on a Weber using that method.

I put a chunk of wood every few inches too, keeps the smoke going

You can also buy the ceramic inserts to make it a kamado style for like $90.

quote:

Originally posted by barndg00:
Many years ago, my wife bought me a Vision Grills Classic, on close out from Costco (they had them like 2 seasons), it has been great. I’ve basically adapted accessories from other manufacturers, but has been very flexible and sturdy. Price is about 2/3 of a comparable BGE. Some day, I might pull the trigger on a Big Joe for some more space, but I’ve managed to cook an 18# spatchcock turkey and 13# briskets on it. For our family, it’s been excellent and a great value.

Another vote for Visions. Got mine from Sams Club about 6 years ago. Still going strong.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Honestly, a $150 22 inch Weber kettle grill using the charcoal snake method is all you need.

I’ve made pretty damn good ribs, brisket and pork butt on a Weber using that method.

I put a chunk of wood every few inches too, keeps the smoke going

You can also buy the ceramic inserts to make it a kamado style for like $90.

I'm a BGE'gger and don't have a Weber Kettle but I looked up that setup and that's pretty cool. Why didn't I think of that and market it?
It doesn't seem to be a perfect setup because I think the webber doesn't have the air flow control but still.

I can control the airflow pretty well on my 22.5" kettle (performer). I've had good results doing the old "smoke snake." I mix reliable hardwood briquets, with lump coal, and wet wood chunks. Usually sprinkle more wood chips. Snake all around the perimeter, in a thin line, adjust air to get the temp you want. I can get a decent 12 hour 225F smoke going.

I'd love a BGE. I've considered the komodo, I've seen them at Fred Meyer. They looked, "cheap" but were still several hundred $.

How do the ceramics hold up to -20F outside? I'm concerned about cracking an expensive BGE.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
How do the ceramics hold up to -20F outside? I'm concerned about cracking an expensive BGE.

Don't we have another Alaska member who has a BGE?
I recall him doing what I do in the winter and it's a slow warm up to the ceramic before going hot.
Mine, I take 6 or so minutes to start w/ an electric element, then close the lid and I check in another 6-10 min. It's usually warming up pretty good. Never had a problem.
In the winter I've done 3 x 8lb pork shoulders over night (freezing temps) for around 20 hrs. before fuel is spent. I've removed the pork and added more fuel but now prefer, at that point, I wrap in foil and toss them in the oven to finish as most smoke flavor is done in the first part of the cook.

Even spraying them w/ water has not been an issue that I've read about. Particularly if you're just doing low and slow.

quote:

Originally posted by dsiets:

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
How do the ceramics hold up to -20F outside? I'm concerned about cracking an expensive BGE.

Don't we have another Alaska member who has a BGE?
I recall him doing what I do in the winter and it's a slow warm up to the ceramic before going hot.

Probably remembering me. I'm a former Alaska resident and Anchorage is where I bought my BGE which I'm still using. I used it year around in Anchorage, and yes I did a slow warm up in the winter using the starter squares instead of a heat gun. Over the years, I have posted this Thanksgiving turkey smoking pic numerous times:

^^^
Yep, that's the egg I remember.

What I found interesting sometimes is even though I had mine under an overhang, it would get snow on it sometimes w/ the wind and that snow would take a bit before melting off as the BGE heated up. A result of the thick ceramic's thermal mass.

FWIW, I had a Kamado Joe at my Winter place in Florida. Never liked it quite as much as my BGE as it was more difficult to control grid temp on slow cooks. Having said that the KJ is still a very nice unit with well thought out details.
I've used my BGE in Winter temps in my new Utah location and it has performed flawlessly.

quote:

Originally posted by dwp10mm:

quote:

Originally posted by barndg00:
Many years ago, my wife bought me a Vision Grills Classic, on close out from Costco (they had them like 2 seasons), it has been great. For our family, it’s been excellent and a great value.

Another vote for Visions. Got mine from Sams Club about 6 years ago. Still going strong.

I have the Vision Grill. My only problem is with the top part where you adjust the venting for the smoke out the top. It's stuck in one very narrow, almost closed position and I can't move it.

Costcos also had the Louisiana Grills Ceramic grills on sale. Bought one and it was less than half the cost of BGE, it's between their medium and large size.

Works really well, solid built.

https://louisiana-grills.com/c...ions/charcoal-grills

The top vent assy pops off, it has spring fingers holding it on. take out the center bolt, IRRC the hex is 10 mm under all the grease. The new spray Dawn and a wire brush works well to clean it, or the larger parts can go in the dishwasher. When you get it clean, use a liberal coat of anti-seize on the sliding surfaces. I did mine about a year ago, and you can still move it with one finger.
Home Depot used to sell Vision, not sure they still do. Still the best deal I ever found. Wish I had gotten a second one for the lake place.

I once bought a “Char-Griller” AKORN at Walmart. This was several years ago. It’s a Kamado style grill. I didn’t keep it long as it wasn’t the style I ended up wanting.

Walmart online has a 20” one for $300 still.