SIGforum.com Main Page The Lounge Which Ceramic grill to buy? BGE? Kamado Joe? etc? Also questions on use.
Main Page The Lounge Which Ceramic grill to buy? BGE? Kamado Joe? etc? Also questions on use.Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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My Weber kettle charcoal grill is falling apart so I need to replace it. I also have a Weber S-330 gas grill and a Weber smokey joe that is a dedicated smoker with the water pan (which I do all of my smoking on). The Problem I'm having with BGE is their sizes. Am mostly leaning towards the large size, but it's smaller than my Weber, and the xlarge is way too big. Anyways, I generally grill steaks, burgers, veggies, bbq chicken on the charcoal grill and is what I'll be using it for. 1. Should I go with a Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, or others? Any advantages to one or the other? I know BGE is the first and has a lot of accessories. One thing I have NEVER liked about the BGE is the stand is flimsy or not wide so it would be easy to tip one over if the wheel gets caught while moving it. 2. Can you use charcoal briquettes in the BGE? I usually use a Weber starter can, can I still do that and dump the coals in there? The video showed getting them going in the BGE. 3. Is sweeping out the ashes a pain in the ass? The one thing I like about my weber is they go into a catch can and you just dump them out. 4. Do you guys cook everything with the lid closed? Or do you cook steaks and burgers and things of that nature with the lid open? 5. Regulating heat/temperature, do you leave the top vent fully open and regulate the bottom vent and incoming air to regulate temperature if you're cooking with the lid closed etc etc.? 6. Is there any maintenance to them? 7. Anything I'm missing? Any trips, tips, techniques? | ||
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quarter MOA visionary |
THERMOPEN | |||
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1. I went with Kamado Joe Classic II after reviewing the possibilities as I liked their grill grate setup better and it seemed to be a better value (unless you can get one of the used BGEs that they offer right after one of their public demo cookouts). 2. No. They recommend not using those. 3. No. The Joe has a removeable ash tray which works well. 4. So far, always closed except for the first 10 minutes when getting it going. Can't really regulate the temperature with the top open very well. 5. No, you regulate both the top and bottom. Takes a little practice, but it's not difficult. 6. Clean out the ashes and clean off the grates when necessary. Check the bolts to make sure they don't loosen over time. Have only had mine 2 years, but I'm told I'll eventually have to replace the padding strip between the top and bottom halves eventually. 7. Ton's of info on the net. Kamado Joe website has lots of helpful videos and I assume BGE does also. | |||
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| If you see me running try to keep up  |
Look for used, I see ceramic grills frequently for sale (on Facebook marketplace and other places) that look like new. Ive seen them half the cost of new. People buy those and never use them. | |||
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I like my kamado joe. I have ribs going on it right now. Regulating temp is fairly easy. Even easier if you get a blower and temp controller. Just set the temp, crack the top and the blower does the rest. Once it settles in the temp stays very consistent | |||
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| quarter MOA visionary |
One of the main reason I would rather have a Kamado Joe is for when I cook steaks. I almost always reverse sear my steaks (pork chops too). So after you get through the first slower, lower temp stage you have to take the steak off. Remove the grille and indirect heat unit (aka plate setter). THEN reinstall the grill and open everything up and crack up the heat. SEAR!! With a split place setter you could feasible do it much easier and by just moving it to the hot side. YMMV | |||
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I found this video comparing BGE and Kamado Joe. It seems the Kamado Joe, is a very updated BGE and features all of the short comings the BGE has? Is it pretty accurate? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4FvUqN16wU | |||
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| Be not wise in thine own eyes  |
No that is not something you would want to do. Rockwood Lump Coal is what I use in my Primo. It lasts a long time and burns to very little ash. “We’re in a situation where we have put together, and you guys did it for our administration…President Obama’s administration before this. We have put together, I think, the most extensive and inclusive voter fraud organization in the history of American politics,” Pres. Select, Joe Biden “Let’s go, Brandon” Kelli Stavast, 2 Oct. 2021 | |||
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| Only dead fish go with the flow  |
It doesn't seem like you'll be using it as intended so it's going to be an expensive option. If you can hold on till the end of the season, you should be able to get a brand new Kamado for half price or better. I paid $250 for mine and it typically goes for around $600. | |||
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Yep, seems accurate. I’d recommend getting one of those charcoal baskets for whichever unit you get. Makes cleaning easier. I’ve got the kick ash basket (google it), but Kamado Joe now sells their own version as well. Their biggest grill might include it as standard, but that was bigger than I needed in a grill. | |||
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1)I have the BGE in a "nest" (thing w/ wheels). I move it out from under an overhang when the weather is nice and never have a problem w/ it tipping. I think you'll be happy w/ either cooker. 2)You can use charcoal brickets in a pinch but I would not for long cooks. The amount of ash they make can plug the air movement required where fire/burning is concerned. 3)In the "nest", a 5 gal. bucket fits right under the opening in the BGE and ashes "sweep" out pretty easily. 4)I've done everything w/ the lid closed but you can cook w/ it open if you want, for short cooks. 5)The main regulating of temp. is done w/ the top vent. 6)A few times per year, w/ the egg, I take the internals out and clean the ash out that the tool included does not get to. Over time, the seal wears out (faster if you do lots of high temp. cooking, like pizza). It's a pain to replace and I think many just ignore it if it's not having a negative effect. I've had my BGE for going on 15 yrs. and everything is original except for the cast iron fire grate in the bottom and the lid seal. The fire grate developed a crack but still worked. $20 dollars to replace. The seal took an afternoon of elbow grease. I think I changed it around the 8-10 yr. mark. I do have some rust on one of the lid springs but it will probably make it to the 20 yr. mark. I keep thinking of upgrading the main cooking grate but it's still in good condition. 7) As Smschulz mentioned. Get a Thermopen. Or at least it's baby brother, the Thermopop. | |||
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Had my BGE for 8 years or so. If I were to buy today I'd go with the KJ from Costco. BGE is excellent but the KJ has improved the design. I've run briquettes in my BGE. I know it's sacrilege,but I've done it. Not going to hurt anything the lump is just a better product. A lot more waste and inferior flavor. | |||
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| Victim of Life's Circumstances  |
Father's Day sales will start soon. Menards has a nice Kamado that will probaly go for under $300 otd. https://www.menards.com/main/o...13746963823&ipos=110 ________________________ God spelled backwards is dog | |||
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I know, even though I can afford one, I'm having a hard time justifying the expense. After looking at BGE's and a Kamado classic I, I'm Leaning towards a Kamadao Joe II 18" versus a Weber $1200 versus under $200. I considered the BGE 4 years ago when I went the Weber route and here I am again 4 years later. Just got off the phone with a buddy who has had a BGE for 18 years and uses it almost every night. So longevity is a factor. I haven't found anywhere, where the price on the 18" classic II is less than $1199, however Ace offers points, and free delivery and might be able to use on of their 10% off anything in the store coupons if/when one comes in the mail. Lowes also offers free delivery. On another note. I already have a thermal pen. I do, do some longer cooks with like Beer Can Chicken, ribs, and things of that nature. Just not as often as I used to......and if I smoke, I already have a weber smokey joe, which is a dedicated smoker. Although there's nothing to say I wouldn't just smoke with the Kamado if it's as easy as the weber smokey joe (cleanup is a pain with the smokey joe). | |||
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| Flow first, power later. |
That’s a dual walled insulated metal grill - really a Chargriller Akron. I have one (the one with the table to the right of the egg) and I love it. | |||
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I have neither, but another ceramic grill - the Vision Classic B series - purchased from Costco many years ago - they sell Kamado Joe now. I love mine, but would not buy it currently due to aftermarket support - Vision does not have the support that KJ/BGE has. Think Sig 556 vs AR15 support. You can get a high quality grill but the accessories to match which make it so much more versatile are a bit lacking. Of the two, I think the KJ will do everything BGE will do, with excellent company and aftermarket support, at a significant cost savings. KJ has reached the critical mass of market penetration for makers of accessories to design for it as well as BGE. (Kick Ash Basket, Adjustable height rig, replacement grates, indirect cooking stones, electronic grill controllers like the BBQ Guru) I love my kamado grill, there is a learning curve to figuring it out, and an abundance of accessories that make it even more usable, but it makes amazing food. I can only think of one thing I’ve taken off of it that was bad (an likely not the fault of the cooking apparatus). I can make low and slow pork butt at 225 for 12+ hours, pizza at 750 degrees (indirect even), and just about anything in between. With the right setup, it is the most versatile cooking apparatus I’ve ever seen. | |||
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I sold my large BGE a couple of years ago for $500 to buy a Green Mountain Pellet Grill. I loved the food that came off the Egg but hated the rest. Lump is dirty and takes time to light and heat up. With my GMG, I plug it in and manage my grill and food temp on my iPhone. Yep, I’m a lazy cook and the ease of the GMG overrides the superb cooking ability of the BGE. I cooked a couple of 1+” NY Steaks earlier this week. They were wonderful and had nearly the flavor of the Egg. If you buy the Egg, check out the Ceramic Grill Store for needed goodies. Mike the lazy cook I'm sorry if I hurt you feelings when I called you stupid - I thought you already knew - Unknown ................................... When you have no future, you live in the past. " Sycamore Row" by John Grisham | |||
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"Member" |
Mine's starting to rust out.  I'm happy with the purchase I suppose, I didn't want to drop the coin on a ceramic one and not use it. I dod... so now I wish I had.  _____________________________________________________ Sliced bread, the greatest thing since the 1911. | |||
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| Throwin sparks makin knives  |
This could be like caliber wars! There are people that treat grilling/smoking like a religion. Green Egg, Pellet, Gas, Charcoal, Lump, Wood, you get the idea. For years I was one to say I would never spend the kind of money for a ceramic type grill till 2017. A friend who is a MASSIVE carnivore, started educating me on alternatives to my failing Weber. I am 100% happy with my Kamado Joe from the Costco Road Show. https://imgur.com/a/QkQudZY After getting over sticker shock, and the heavy beast of a crate filled with ceramic parts, the unit is VERY impressive. I do not, never have, and MANY happy grillers own a BGE. My summation is the Kamado Joe took a great product like the BGE and improved on lots of features. The hinge on the Joe is FAR superior and adjustable, base is wonderfully stable, cooks like nothing else I have ever used. I can obtain and maintain 170 for (longest was 15 hours) without much attention, or 750-800 degrees o problem. I will never use Charcoal Briquettes again, to me it is trash, lump charcoal for me buddy. Get the Joe through Costco for an added level of Warranty, (never had to use it yet), and the cheapest price on the unit and accessories. Not to mention that Costco meats are fantastic. I would rate my Kamado Joe with 5 star⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://imgur.com/a/vxwO0zo | |||
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I looked on Costcos website and am a member, but don't see the Kamado Joe for sale or any Kamado Joe product. Just some Louisiana grills kamado grill. I did see they have an even at a Costco 30 minutes from my house with kamado joe in a month, but for the life of me, cannot find where they sell the kamado joe, is it only at the event? I am strongly leaning towards the Kamado joe II 18" as the classic Kamado joe has the crappy hinge the BGE has and a cheap gasket. | |||
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SIGforum.com Main Page The Lounge Which Ceramic grill to buy? BGE? Kamado Joe? etc? Also questions on use.
Main Page The Lounge Which Ceramic grill to buy? BGE? Kamado Joe? etc? Also questions on use.© SIGforum 2024