The Big Green Egg

[HarveyWildes]

Here is some Festool and BGE porn mixed togeather for what it's worth. [eek]

Best grills around
...

I love it!  Just seeing how you did the table makes me want to buy a BGE.  I never thought of tying food and woodworking together quite like that.

 

[Bob Marino]

Wow, thanks for all the replies and Matt for the phone call.
Nick - incredible job with the wooden base.

So, today I went and put down a deposit on LBGE in a nearby store, but after reading these posts and many online comparisons, I am seriously considering cancelling and getting the Kamado Joe. The BGE website is certainly better and has a huge following with all sorts of social events, magazines, etc.  Seems though that KJ has some nicer design elements than the BGE. Where are these grills made? Not made up my mind yet though. Decisions, decisions.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I would definitely go with a Kamado Joe over the BGE. The KJ is much more versatile, with the Divide & Conquer system and the new hinge system on the II series is fantastic, just look at the hinge on the BGEXL. KJ actually has a better warranty than BGE or Primp. With the BGE, if you use any non BGE items in your grill your warranty is void. That was a deal breaker for me with the BGE. With the Primo grill you have to pay return shipping for all warranty items. That could get very expensive if your top or bottom cracked.  I think the Kamado Joe is the best bang for the buck available. Now true Festool users should just skip all these companies and get a Kamodo Kamado. https://komodokamado.com/

 

[antss]

[member=5]Bob Marino[/member]

K Joe is made in China
BGE is made in Mexico
Primo is made in the USA
All are headquartered in Atlanta , GA

You may want to check out Costco. Next week KJ is having their roadshow up in Norwalk, CT. You should be able to see them and save a few bucks too. 

 

[egmiii]

I think a lot depends upon what you plan to use the cooker for. Kamado style cookers excel at smoking. While also excellent for grilling, their somewhat smaller diameter is probably the biggest complaint. BGE and Kamado Joe are two sides of the same coin. Whichever one has better dealer support/pricing in your region is likely the better candidate.

Personally, I use a Weber Q120 for weeknight grilling. It heats up insanely fast and burns very little propane. I get 40-50 hours from a 20# tank. I run a Komodo Kamado for smoking. It's a true insulated kamado made from refractory cement. It seems to be a popular misconception that the BGE is insulated. That is certainly not the case. It's just glazed ceramic. Nothing wrong with that, just want to get the facts straight. I have their large model at my vacation home and love it, but place your hand on the dome and you will be visiting the ER.

Check out the Komodo Kamado if your serious into smoking. It may not be within your budget, but the website is informative and the forum members are quite helpful.

 

[butzla]

Bob,  I have a large sized BGE and am a huge proponent.  It is a kamado type grill and there are other cheaper alternatives as the same there are for Festool tools.  I have zero regrets buying one.  The great thing about the BGE is that it is very easy to maintain a low-slow cook temperature by regulating the air intake/ outtake vents.  Once you get the temperature just right for a slow cook, say 250 degrees, it is very easy to maintain this temperature, just like a kitchen oven.  I haven't tried it, but you can actually bake cookies on it.  The second great part of the BGE, or any other kamado, is that is uses lump charcoal which is carbonized wood.  There is nothing like the taste of meat cooked on a wood fire.  As I mentioned before, I have the large size. (18" grill).  They make an XL and even an XXL grill but I've read the large size is easiest to regulate the temperature. 

Egghead Forum is a good source for ideas and answers.

Edit:  I believe those bashing the BGE are like guys in other WW forums saying don't waste your money on Festool, Dewalt is better.  I'd also recommend arranging delivery and setup, the large weighs nearly 200 lbs. ---worth the extra coin.

 

[PaulH99]

I'm going to provide an alternative idea: buy a pellet grill!

Last year around Father's Day I bought a Green Mountain Grills "Daniel Boone"/. This is the smallest of their mains-powered models. I buy really good pellet fuel from Amazon.

A pellet grill works like an oven: Set the temperature and walk away. Last weekend I smoked two pork shoulders (16 pounds total) for a cookout at a friend's house. I believe this took about 12 hours at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. I've been using a rub and instruction from Amazing Ribs for a while now and have not been disappointed in the least.

Last night I grilled split chicken breasts at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and they were perfectly moist when done.

Just "food for thought" as they say  [big grin]

 

[DynaGlide]

Bob,  I have a large sized BGE and am a huge proponent.  It is a kamado type grill and there are other cheaper alternatives as the same there are for Festool tools.  I have zero regrets buying one.  The great thing about the BGE is that it is very easy to maintain a low-slow cook temperature by regulating the air intake/ outtake vents.  Once you get the temperature just right for a slow cook, say 250 degrees, it is very easy to maintain this temperature, just like a kitchen oven.  I haven't tried it, but you can actually bake cookies on it.  The second great part of the BGE, or any other kamado, is that is uses lump charcoal which is carbonized wood.  There is nothing like the taste of meat cooked on a wood fire.  As I mentioned before, I have the large size. (18" grill).  They make an XL and even an XXL grill but I've read the large size is easiest to regulate the temperature. 

Egghead Forum is a good source for ideas and answers.

Edit:  I believe those bashing the BGE are like guys in other WW forums saying don't waste your money on Festool, Dewalt is better.  I'd also recommend arranging delivery and setup, the large weighs nearly 200 lbs. ---worth the extra coin.

Just so you know i was able to get the large into my garage from my driveway by myself. It comes in two boxes. From there i unpacked and carried everything upstairs and put it together. I bought potlifters and a friend and i lifted it into the nest.

 

[Sparktrician]

Hey, Bob, do you have three of them yet???  [big grin]  Peter was right - you are SOOOOOO screwed!!!  BA-HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! 

 

[Paul G]

Dagnabit now I'm hungry!

Now I gotta put some meat in the Traeger  [drooling]

 

[BJM9818]

Moved into a new house 18 months ago. Ran a NG line to the yard figuring I would do a lynx or similar. Before we moved in I decided to expand and incorporate a green egg. Started to build a dual cooking station for the egg and gas grill. The built in grill budget got used up at first for furniture so I just bought a Large BGE.  Fast forward to now and Im Ripping out the entire thing and will be making a best with drawers for the egg.

Bob get one you will not be disappointed.

If anybody has plans for a egg nest that incorporates a ton of storage drawers in a 6' or less table let me know. City townhouse so storage space is tight.

 

[Tinker]

If nobody else managed to get to "Uncle" Bob to be sure he got hooked onto a slippery slope, I was certain that sooner or later Richard (RMW) would very definitely get him hooked. Once I got down to his post, ... well, I am now very hungry.  [member=8712]Richard/RMW[/member], whenever you get onto your Green Egg and cooking, I wish you would leave your camera out of the equasion.  [unsure] [wink]
Tinker

 

[DynaGlide]

Here's some more food porn to get you off the fence

Prime ribeye roast
Brisket
Wings and brats
Ribs

 

[PaulH99]

All right, since people are resorted to posting food porn, I'll show you why a pellet grill (and pork shoulder) is a thing of beauty...
[attachimg=1]

 

[antss]

All those grills are really too expensive.

This is just as good for only a few dollars :      [big grin]

 

[rmwarren]

If nobody else managed to get to "Uncle" Bob to be sure he got hooked onto a slippery slope, I was certain that sooner or later Richard (RMW) would very definitely get him hooked. Once I got down to his post, ... well, I am now very hungry.  [member=8712]Richard/RMW[/member], whenever you get onto your Green Egg and cooking, I wish you would leave your camera out of the equasion.  [unsure] [wink]
Tinker

[member=550]Tinker[/member] Too late Wayne...  [poke]

As mentioned Acme had eye round roast on sale, 6# was

 

[rmwarren]

Hey, Bob, do you have three of them yet???  [big grin]  Peter was right - you are SOOOOOO screwed!!!  BA-HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Sparky, you are a bad man. Giggle.

RMW

 

[Bob Marino]

Here is some Festool and BGE porn mixed togeather for what it's worth. [eek]

Best grills around

[attachimg=3][attachimg=4][attachimg=5][attachimg=6][attachimg=7][attachimg=2][attachimg=1]

Bob Marino is so screwed now  [big grin].

Peter

Nah, Pete. I've been screwed before, this ain't that.
Little confusing maybe, but all good fun.

 

[Bob Marino]

Hey, Bob, do you have three of them yet???  [big grin]  Peter was right - you are SOOOOOO screwed!!!  BA-HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Willy,

Nope, the problem is I want just one - the right one.

 

[Bob Marino]

If nobody else managed to get to "Uncle" Bob to be sure he got hooked onto a slippery slope, I was certain that sooner or later Richard (RMW) would very definitely get him hooked. Once I got down to his post, ... well, I am now very hungry.  [member=8712]Richard/RMW[/member], whenever you get onto your Green Egg and cooking, I wish you would leave your camera out of the equasion.  [unsure] [wink]
Tinker

[member=550]Tinker[/member] Too late Wayne...  [poke]

As mentioned Acme had eye round roast on sale, 6# was