Here comes the hate

I don't know about that. BGE's look like they were very closely modeled after the Imperial kamado #5.

Little Steven said:

I heard that person went through gender transofmation and is now properly referred to as she.

He/she still dresses like a he. But, then I don't know what goes on when the lights come on in the evening.

Now, I'll ask the question again, are you coming down for the NH fest?

plumbfir01 said:

So most of you know I just sold my LBGE all because i wanted a nest setup and got rid of table and ended up getting more then i asked for for the egg and table. I have since kicked around the KJ BIG Joe or Classic with the new cool designs and divide and conquer system they have it seems like lots of innovation for tonight at least, I can get the Classic (LBGE Size) for 854 out the door with cart and side tables. the BIG joe is 1350 for same stuff. I am lookinh at about the same for the LBGE at egg fest after driving to get it.. and about 300 cheaper for the XLBGE but it appears the divide and conquer system offsets the need for Adj rig (at least for some applications) 

So here is the question and dont be hateful guys. I really love the family we have here......regardless of how dysfunctional it is. 

I am looking at the steps kj is taking foward and the egg has not changed... ALSO##### the warranty issue is bothering me. I understand that if i crack my egg, i have to utilize dealer to get a replacement and its at their leisure because of shipping cost unless i want to pay them correct?  Well if you crack KJ, send a pic to warranty dept and they ship you one out directly no charge at all. This is a factor for me since my dealer is almost 2 hours away. 

help, ideas, pros/cons appriciated. 

I was in a similar boat..already own a Mini BGE (rocks!) and wanted something larger..

Looked long and hard at LBGE, Primo (loved the oval design/split grid but hated the no spark screen which wound up to be "the" deal killer) and KJ Classic - and went with the KJ.

It's a very good quality grill, and I do like how they TRY (more on that below) to keep coming up with new improvements , BUT..

When I got my grill, it did come with the new Divide & Conquer system - but not the half moon deflectors or the X-Rack.  (Instead, I got a pizza stone as a deflector - which arrived broken - and no X-Rack). I thought there must be some mistake in shipping, so I emailed and called them..to make a long story short - they were advertising shipping things they did not yet have in stock, and hacked together "something" just so they could ship grills.

A bunch of the guys on the "other" forum seem OK with this, but it didn't set well with me whatsoever..they advertise "you get X" (and have videos up on their site showing all of the nifty accessories you get), and that was a HUGE part of my decision to go KJ over BGE.  Now, 2 months later, I'm STILL waiting for the X-Rack to arrive as it apparently isn't off the boat from China yet.  Not happy.

I will say that they did really make an effort to get to the bottom of it, and their Customer Service rep pulled some half moon deflectors from another grill and sent them to me.  One of the two owners also called and we had a good conversation..but I do think it's somewhat unethical for a company to promote that you get certain things when you buy the grill, only for the grill to show and be told that those things are something they're changing at some point later, and are not available yet.  That's pretty hokey.

I'm also not sure if it's just user error on my part (still learning the grill or what), but this thing CHEWS lump like nobody's business.  Maybe my perception is just skewed coming from the Mini, but it seems to take piles and piles of lump, and burns through it quickly.  (Of course, I'm using RO but it sure seems to last a heck of a lot longer in the Mini BGE than the KJ, where I burn through most of what I've put in there in a single cook..)

I like the D&C grid system but also wound up buying an AR from Tom and an Ash Dragon firebox divider (haven't tried either yet) as a possible solution to using less lump.  (Needed the AR as the Ash Dragon does not fit with the D&C - it's too wide.  Since the AR just sits on the fire ring, the Dragon will work with that OK.  But no joy with the D&C, so there's a big chunk of additional cost for long term lump savings..)

Bottom line is that I don't have any way to compare the KJ Classic to the LBGE, but am always wondering.."hmmm...maybe if it was a LBGE I wouldn't be having all these problems.."

I WILL say that the KJ wood handles, wood (vs plastic) side shelves and "nest" is a heck of a lot nicer than BGE's.  (PLASTIC..REALLY?!!)  And the new temp controller (wireless) they are coming out with (someday..they've also been promising that "soon" for quite a while now) looks pretty cool.  So, +1 to KJ for innovation/doing new things and -10 for not being entirely straight up in their marketing..

I researched all of the ceramics before I purchased my XL last year, My main reason for purchasing the BGE was the quality of the ceramics and the longer cook times. Other grills like the Primo offer features such as being able to add charcoal in the middle of a cook, but by question is why should you have to?

I think the winner on lump consumption is the Big Steel Keg

@SmokyBear,

Re: Holy Mother of God, how long does that KK take to come to temp - and how many BAGS of lump do you need to get it going for a single cook?

Surprisingly, it does not require as much lump as one would think it does. I must admit that this is a very fuel-efficient tool for all types of cooking.

It is relatively quick to get the KK up to desired temp. However, it can quickly get away from you if you are not paying attention. Once it gets above your desired temp, it takes a long time to get the temp back down. I normally let it get "heat soaked" before I start my low and slow cooks. This takes me on average 40 minutes since I am preparing the meat while the grill is getting soaked. It can probably soak quicker, but I always get distracted and forget to check it sooner. Once it is soaked, it is very easy to maintain low temps on it without the need for a DigiQ or similar device. However, every once in a while, I do use my DigiQ and Maverick 733 toys when I am doing overnight cooks just because I have them and I like using them from time to time. I do use the Maverick just about every cook because it is a handy toy that prevents the need for me to go outside to check the temps for grate and meat temps.

I have done multiple low and slow cooks for 18 hours ( at 200-250 degrees) and had ample fuel left over. Mind you that I did not use a lot to begin with.

If I remember, I will weigh the amount of lump that I use for my next low & slow, log the dome temp, grate temp, etc., the type & weight of meat that I am cooking as well as time it takes to reach the desired meat temp.

 

"This warranty does not apply to labor, freight, or any other cost associated with the service, repair or operation of the grill."

This is what is odd to me @Eggcelsior @SmokeyPitt

its showing different from what you sent... smh

Not to be a name dropper, but I had dinner with the owner if KJ on Sunday.  They now pay shipping on parts replaced under warranty.

Well, what can I say. The owner of the company told me face to face they have changed their policy.  Based on their growth rate, I can see why they might have missed updating the web page.  But I wouldn't say that improving their warranty and forgetting to update the web page is a reason to be less than enthused.  I realize this is not the place, so if any one wants to discuss them as a company, feel free to visit my FB page.

Eggcelsior said:

Well, what can I say. The owner of the company told me face to face they have changed their policy.  Based on their growth rate, I can see why they might have missed updating the web page.  But I wouldn't say that improving their warranty and forgetting to update the web page is a reason to be less than enthused.  I realize this is not the place, so if any one wants to discuss them as a company, feel free to visit my FB page.

The fact that they misrepresented themselves over the phone to me is the main reason I am less than enthused. That is also the reason they'll never get my money.

Was that in another thread?  I read back through this one and didn't see anything about them misrepresenting themselves.  Sorry.

Not to muddy the waters even more but doesn't BGE misrepresent themselves all the time too?

I own one of each (classic joe & XL egg). My father in law is an egg dealer, and before he was an egg dealer, he was a KJ dealer, so it's the product of a really lucky circumstance. I have had parts shipped from KJ. They did charge me for the shipping, but they also had a replacement fire box and fire ring on my doorstep the day after I spoke to their customer service rep for a grand total of like $20 (BTW, they are also lifetime on ceramics). FWIW, I probably do prefer the XL to the classic KJ, but in that case, we're not exactly comparing apples to apples. Also, I have purchased several eggcessories and egg brand replacement parts for my joe. This means that, despite the fact that some get there panties in a bunch over the mention of KJ on this forum, BGE has prospered as a result of me buying a KJ. As many have said, you will be very happy with either.