Bob Marino
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,263
Peter Halle did mention in my BGE post, that with all the choices and permutations with BBQ/grilling/smoking that I'd be screwed. And what an informative and fun thread that turned out to be. Doing the "research" was enjoyable and I learned lots of info I had no knowledge of prior. So, after spending more time and effort than I spent buying our house, I made a decision and ended up getting a slightly used Memphis Pro grill/smoker at a great price from my neighbor's friend - he's selling his to get the larger Memphis Elite.
I like the kamado cookers and really looked seriously at the BGE, BJ, Primo, Blaze. Out of curiousity checked out the Kamodo Kamado and even spoke with the company's owner - David Linkletter (grandson of TV's Art Linkletter). Those KK's are handmade over engineered (in a good way) functional works of art and priced accordingly. I was impressed to see something made with zero compromise and equally impressed with David's customer service and pride in his product.
I like the whole concept of kamado cooking and can see why it's loved by its adherents. There is also a nice mystique - for a lack of a better word about all those kamados and I'm sure would be a conversation starter at many backyard BBQ's. But at the end of the day - literally and figuratively, I did not want to deal with the stoking of the wood, maintaining temperatures with the vents, etc, not that these are tough learning curves and once mastered are second nature. I also realize that ritual is part of the fun for the real aficionados; but I just wanted a set and forget type of unit.
Even though I have a Weber gas grill, I did not want to get a smoker only. After tracking down some tips here, I started checking out different grill/smoker combos, reading reviews, visiting a couple of showrooms making a few calls. I liked what I saw in the Memphis Pro - and when one came up used I got it. Its an all in one type unt - grill, smoker and convection oven. Its also made right here in the USA - which is something I tend to look for and give points to. Looks to be extremely well made as one would expect at this level of grill.
It has a built in temp probe that once set for your type of food - meat, fish, chicken, guarantees a perfectly cooked meal. The pellet auger automatically drops the pellets into the firebox, so no worries about running low on fuel. Again, this set and forget style of cooking/grilling/smoking may be anathema to those backyard pitmasters who really enjoy the nuances and fine tuning of their grills, but it works well for me.
So a big thanks for the suggestions, pictures and PM's offered here from all you guys.
I like the kamado cookers and really looked seriously at the BGE, BJ, Primo, Blaze. Out of curiousity checked out the Kamodo Kamado and even spoke with the company's owner - David Linkletter (grandson of TV's Art Linkletter). Those KK's are handmade over engineered (in a good way) functional works of art and priced accordingly. I was impressed to see something made with zero compromise and equally impressed with David's customer service and pride in his product.
I like the whole concept of kamado cooking and can see why it's loved by its adherents. There is also a nice mystique - for a lack of a better word about all those kamados and I'm sure would be a conversation starter at many backyard BBQ's. But at the end of the day - literally and figuratively, I did not want to deal with the stoking of the wood, maintaining temperatures with the vents, etc, not that these are tough learning curves and once mastered are second nature. I also realize that ritual is part of the fun for the real aficionados; but I just wanted a set and forget type of unit.
Even though I have a Weber gas grill, I did not want to get a smoker only. After tracking down some tips here, I started checking out different grill/smoker combos, reading reviews, visiting a couple of showrooms making a few calls. I liked what I saw in the Memphis Pro - and when one came up used I got it. Its an all in one type unt - grill, smoker and convection oven. Its also made right here in the USA - which is something I tend to look for and give points to. Looks to be extremely well made as one would expect at this level of grill.
It has a built in temp probe that once set for your type of food - meat, fish, chicken, guarantees a perfectly cooked meal. The pellet auger automatically drops the pellets into the firebox, so no worries about running low on fuel. Again, this set and forget style of cooking/grilling/smoking may be anathema to those backyard pitmasters who really enjoy the nuances and fine tuning of their grills, but it works well for me.
So a big thanks for the suggestions, pictures and PM's offered here from all you guys.
