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Kamado/Ceramic grill recommendations
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:26 pm
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:26 pm
Looking for recommendations on which kamado/ceramic style grills I should consider buying.
I currently have a 22" Weber Kettle Performer that works for smoking but it doesn't have the capacity or thickness to maximize fuel efficiency during a cook like a ceramic grill does. I have also thought about just getting a Weber Smokey Mountain to pair with my Kettle because both would offer the same features as a ceramic grill for about 2/3 the price.
My top 3 choices are:
1. Big Green Egg
2. Weber Summit Kamado (not the Summit pellet)
3. Kong by Grilla Grills
Other choices I've researched but didn't make the top 3:
1. Kamado Joe
2. Pit Boss
3. Primo
4. Char-griller
The concerns I have about purchasing a ceramic grill are:
1. Price - meaning what exactly am I getting by spending more on a BGE versus an alternative like Kong from Grilla Grills.
2. Refueling - there doesn't seem to be an easy way to add fuel to a ceramic grill during a cook, but maybe this isn't an issue if one load of fuel will last 12+ hours.
3. Durability/Value over time - I have been browsing FB Marketplace to find a deal on a new/used ceramic grill and noticed there are far more BGE for resell than there are any other brand. Some of those for resell also mention items that needed to be replaced like gaskets, hinges, top domes, top vents, etc. Is this observation a result of BGE being around longer or are there real concerns with the durability of BGE and other alternatives?
All opinions are welcome, so feel free to make a recommendation or change my mind. If this has already been covered in another thread then feel free to link that here. Thanks!
I currently have a 22" Weber Kettle Performer that works for smoking but it doesn't have the capacity or thickness to maximize fuel efficiency during a cook like a ceramic grill does. I have also thought about just getting a Weber Smokey Mountain to pair with my Kettle because both would offer the same features as a ceramic grill for about 2/3 the price.
My top 3 choices are:
1. Big Green Egg
2. Weber Summit Kamado (not the Summit pellet)
3. Kong by Grilla Grills
Other choices I've researched but didn't make the top 3:
1. Kamado Joe
2. Pit Boss
3. Primo
4. Char-griller
The concerns I have about purchasing a ceramic grill are:
1. Price - meaning what exactly am I getting by spending more on a BGE versus an alternative like Kong from Grilla Grills.
2. Refueling - there doesn't seem to be an easy way to add fuel to a ceramic grill during a cook, but maybe this isn't an issue if one load of fuel will last 12+ hours.
3. Durability/Value over time - I have been browsing FB Marketplace to find a deal on a new/used ceramic grill and noticed there are far more BGE for resell than there are any other brand. Some of those for resell also mention items that needed to be replaced like gaskets, hinges, top domes, top vents, etc. Is this observation a result of BGE being around longer or are there real concerns with the durability of BGE and other alternatives?
All opinions are welcome, so feel free to make a recommendation or change my mind. If this has already been covered in another thread then feel free to link that here. Thanks!
This post was edited on 5/21/21 at 11:22 am
23
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:28 pm to Soda City Spur
quote:
Primo
quote:
Kamado Joe
Those would be my two picks.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:45 pm to Soda City Spur
I love my BGE.
However, I have read that the Kamado Joe comes with more accessories at purchase which should be taken into account. I’m not sure on Kamado Joe or Primo, but BGE also has a lifetime warranty.
However, I have read that the Kamado Joe comes with more accessories at purchase which should be taken into account. I’m not sure on Kamado Joe or Primo, but BGE also has a lifetime warranty.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:46 pm to Soda City Spur
I should preface by saying that I'm not an expert. I've had a Green Egg for a few years and it's worked very well.
Price - I don't know if it's worth spending more because I've never used the other ones.
Refueling - You don't have to add more fuel during a cook.
Durability - I haven't had to replace anything yet. I could see having to replace the gasket at some point, but it seems like it would not be very expensive.
Price - I don't know if it's worth spending more because I've never used the other ones.
Refueling - You don't have to add more fuel during a cook.
Durability - I haven't had to replace anything yet. I could see having to replace the gasket at some point, but it seems like it would not be very expensive.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:47 pm to Soda City Spur
quote:
Soda City Spur
I've been having my Kamado Joe for about 6 years or more years now. I was deciding between KJ, BGE, and Primo. KJ and Primo were top tier. BGE is nice, but they are not innovative. They have settled on the same design, which is high quality, but they have not upgraded the system at all. KJ is on it's 3rd iteration, and even have several offshoots to its core brand. I have the KJ classic 2. In the end, for the money, it was slightly cheaper than BGE but came with way more accessories that i'd have to pay extra for with BGE. My only complaint, which would be the same for the BGE, is grill space. I can fit a whole packer brisket, but i have to trim a little to get it on there. This is where the PRIMO would be superior, IMO. But in terms of cooking, they are all fantastic.
quote:
. Refueling - there doesn't seem to be an easy way to add fuel to a ceramic grill during a cook, but maybe this isn't an issue if one load of fuel will last 12+ hours.
You don't need to refill. A ceramic is basically an outdoor oven. It will maintain temps for many hours. I've done 12-14 hour cooks on mine.
quote:
I have been browsing FB Marketplace to find a deal on a new/used ceramic grill and noticed there are far more BGE for resell than there are any other brand.
BGE is a great grill, but like i said above they are no longer innovative. KJ redesigned their gaskets, top vent, added a spring assist for opening and keeping the lid open, and even has a new parabolic smoker insert that does weird things with smoke. Just go to the KJ website, it has a bunch of videos and tutorials.
Then there are all the accessories after the fact you can buy. I have the Joetisserie and it has elevated my wing game tremendously.
This post was edited on 5/19/21 at 12:49 pm
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:50 pm to Soda City Spur
quote:
Kamado Joe
quote:
Primo
quote:
Big Green Egg
Posted on 5/19/21 at 12:51 pm to BugAC
Also, OP should note that the lifetime warranty does not transfer over if a BGE is bought used.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 1:55 pm to Soda City Spur
I went with Primo a while back due to it's unique shape. It has been great for me. However, I think ceramics have evolved to where there isn't much difference anymore.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 1:57 pm to Soda City Spur
Not sure why you’ve not included Kamado in your top three when it’s probably the best overall product in the group.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 2:03 pm to Soda City Spur
If you’re going with BGE, purchase soon. A friend of mine that owns a hardware store that sells them told me prices are about to go from $899 for the large to $1099.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:02 pm to Soda City Spur
I've had a Kamado Joe for almost 12 years now. Only thing I've done to it is replaced the gaskets. When I purchased it was cheaper than BGE and came with more accessories. The temp gauge was bigger, the "belly" or bottom half is fatter so it holds more charcoal, and the pull out ash tray were all reasons I choose the KJ. I'm sure things have changed and updated since, but I feel like you get more for what you pay for with a Kamado Joe than a BGE.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:26 pm to Soda City Spur
I've had 2 of the Char Griller ones. They are a good entry level kamado style smoker. I've had many 12 hour cooks on one chimney of charcoal. It was never really airtight, but I could basically get it up to temp, shut down all the dampers and it would be just drafty enough that I hardly ever had to tinker with it.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:34 pm to Soda City Spur
team primo here, due to size.
it will hold temp for longer than u want to smoke if you use enough lump.
had mine 10 years and its still rollin strong
it will hold temp for longer than u want to smoke if you use enough lump.
had mine 10 years and its still rollin strong
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:43 pm to Soda City Spur
quote:
Pit Boss
While it didn't make your list and is probably the absolute cheapest out of all the options listed I have a Pit Boss from Costco, they now sell the same grill under the Louisiana Grills name, that I've used for over 3 years with zero complaints or issues. And while I've never cooked on any of the higher end ceramics I doubt where I'd see double/triple the value from one to the other. We use it about once a week, smoked on it, grilled on it, done pizzas on it, etc. No complaints from me.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:53 pm to Soda City Spur
I had a medium BGE which we just outgrew. I loved it and planed to get an XL, but with BGE you are buying the cooker. Everything else is extra, and expensive.
So my first thought was to get the KJ, because it came with the divider, the deflector plates, and some other gadgets. But I wasn't a fan of the shape.
I tried the Primo, and loved the oval shape. It was cheaper than the BGE, and I found it easier to cook on with the wider surface. So I went with the Primo.
When I went to purchase I thought I was going to have to buy the deflector plates separately, but found out the new model year came with them, so I ended up with the most appealing thing of the KJ, the extras, anyway.
So my first thought was to get the KJ, because it came with the divider, the deflector plates, and some other gadgets. But I wasn't a fan of the shape.
I tried the Primo, and loved the oval shape. It was cheaper than the BGE, and I found it easier to cook on with the wider surface. So I went with the Primo.
When I went to purchase I thought I was going to have to buy the deflector plates separately, but found out the new model year came with them, so I ended up with the most appealing thing of the KJ, the extras, anyway.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:13 pm to BugAC
quote:BGE in the past few years has redesigned their top vent and opening mechanism. They also ramped up their accessory department.
BGE is a great grill, but like i said above they are no longer innovative. KJ redesigned their gaskets, top vent, added a spring assist for opening and keeping the lid open, and even has a new parabolic smoker insert that does weird things with smoke. Just go to the KJ website, it has a bunch of videos and tutorials.
quote:OP, don't buy an used ceramic grill unless you know the owner. There's no telling how the previous owner used/abused the grill
I have been browsing FB Marketplace to find a deal on a new/used ceramic grill and noticed there are far more BGE for resell than there are any other brand.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:16 pm to Soda City Spur
quote:
Weber Summit Kamado
This would be my choice. Give me metal everyday over ceramic. Lighter and don't have to worry about it cracking. It also has a much better ash system and you can use briquettes if you choose.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:25 pm to Soda City Spur
I went with Primo XL mainly because of the larger cooking area and it’s made in Tucker GA. Kamado Joe and Kong/Grilla are made in China. Weber Summits are assembled in US but use parts sourced from China. BGE is made at the DalTile plant in Mexico.
This post was edited on 5/19/21 at 5:07 pm
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:41 pm to Soda City Spur
I have a BGE and love it. Accessories are crazy arse expensive though.
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:50 pm to Soda City Spur
If you have a Costco, go buy their 24" Kamado by Louisiana Grills. Get all the same tools and cover as KJ and they've improved their gasket to the wire mesh and easy lifting hinge. All for $599 in-store. I got my big blue 2 years ago when they dropped it to $499.
Costco
Costco
This post was edited on 5/19/21 at 4:55 pm
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