It looks to me on line the KJ is still about the same price or even more then the BGE's.  I chose BGE because of the dealer and price over the KJ and the BGE dealer is minutes from my house where the nearest KJ dealer was 45 minutes and were not easy to deal with on price.  If the KJ was available closer and I would have gotten the deal like I got on my XL I would have gotten one, but this forum also is a plus to me.  It seems to be better then KJ's IMO. 

I don't see comparing the BGE to the KJ is like RITC to YETI.  BGE and KJ are pretty closely priced for the most part.

VB_egger said:

Here are pictures of the new cap and hinge. they say the hinge counter balanced and makes opening the big joe easier. I like both ideas. It appears that the hinge works well enough that it even holds the dome open. 

I wonder if that would fit a BGE? I have a Smokeware on my egg that sits out in the elements and the main reason I like it is because it acts as a rain cap. Other then that I see no difference in performance over the DFMT. I like buying gadgets and would try that on my other egg just to try it.

Also, it allows me to keep my egg vented which cuts down on mold when I go through periods of not using it.

BUT IT'S RED!!!!

JohnInCarolina said:

BUT IT'S RED!!!!

That means it's Communist right? 

I figure what the heck, this thread can't live much longer anyway.

DaveRichardson said:

From KJ Big Cheese-  

Had a fun day at the office today showcasing our new product to the staff and Amber, our new employee.  They had seen pieces and parts but never the final final production models.  We had a few FedExed over for some big meetings we are having over the next few weeks.  We ended up comparing a Large BGE (purchased in July) to our new Classic.  You just can't compare the two grills.  There are 10 significant differences / upgrades

- New patented Top Vent

- Hinge.........you have to feel the difference.  

- Thicker, Stronger bands (No Alignment Issues)

- Stainless Steel hardware / Bigger heavier duty hardware

- Commercial Gaskets / Night and day difference 

- Flexible Cooking System as Standard.  This is huge

- New patented Fire Box

- Patented Pull out Ash Drawer

- Better Side Shelves and handle.  KJ is 5X heavier

- Bigger Thermometer

- Better Cart

There is a reason the BGE don't want KJ's sitting next to BGEs on a dealers floor.  They don't seem to have a problem with Primo.  This is 2017.  What other manufacturers try to bully their dealers into only selling their brand?  I have said it before.  Consumers will pick the winners and losers.  It is hard to sell inferior products in today's transparent world.

Well there you have it. KJ is the best, just ask them. Game over. 

Hungry Joe said:

pgprescott said:

Hungry Joe said:

stlcharcoal said:

That new cap sure does look like Smokeware's.  The racking system looks like an early CGS model.

I can't find a good picture of the KJ cap but from what I see they don't look to similar. Maybe just me.

As far as CGS racks, I have an 8 year old one and it looks nothing like the KJ one so CGS has nothing to worry about.

I could be wrong because I can't seem to find good pictures of the recent KJ upgrades.

Oh, they are different. They take the idea and designs and tweak them enough to pass as their own. 

What, a vented cap? Only so many ways to make one IMHO.

FWIW I own every rack TJV sells (and some he no longer sells) with doubles on most because I have two large BGE's. Silly me thought I'd save money buying another large because all my accessories would work LOL. 

You think it's coincidence the old one looked like the BGE cap and the new one resembles the SW cap? 

pgprescott said:

Hungry Joe said:

pgprescott said:

Hungry Joe said:

stlcharcoal said:

That new cap sure does look like Smokeware's.  The racking system looks like an early CGS model.

I can't find a good picture of the KJ cap but from what I see they don't look to similar. Maybe just me.

As far as CGS racks, I have an 8 year old one and it looks nothing like the KJ one so CGS has nothing to worry about.

I could be wrong because I can't seem to find good pictures of the recent KJ upgrades.

Oh, they are different. They take the idea and designs and tweak them enough to pass as their own. 

What, a vented cap? Only so many ways to make one IMHO.

FWIW I own every rack TJV sells (and some he no longer sells) with doubles on most because I have two large BGE's. Silly me thought I'd save money buying another large because all my accessories would work LOL. 

You think it's coincidence the old one looked like the BGE cap and the new one resembles the SW cap? 

I don't think they look all that similar. Not enough to see it as stealing.

Just my opinion.

pgprescott said:

Hungry Joe said:

pgprescott said:

Hungry Joe said:

stlcharcoal said:

That new cap sure does look like Smokeware's.  The racking system looks like an early CGS model.

I can't find a good picture of the KJ cap but from what I see they don't look to similar. Maybe just me.

As far as CGS racks, I have an 8 year old one and it looks nothing like the KJ one so CGS has nothing to worry about.

I could be wrong because I can't seem to find good pictures of the recent KJ upgrades.

Oh, they are different. They take the idea and designs and tweak them enough to pass as their own. 

What, a vented cap? Only so many ways to make one IMHO.

FWIW I own every rack TJV sells (and some he no longer sells) with doubles on most because I have two large BGE's. Silly me thought I'd save money buying another large because all my accessories would work LOL. 

You think it's coincidence the old one looked like the BGE cap and the new one resembles the SW cap? 

I mean really, can you show me something totally different? Even KomodoKamado which in my opinion is the top of the line used a similar cap to another POS kamodo that went out of business. There is not that much room to differentiate.

DoubleEgger said:

That stand looks pitiful. 

LOL I thought so too.  It's like something the inmates would make.

The kj dome looks kinda shallow or boxy 

I trust high quality Mexican ceramics over risky Chinese ceramics for a cooking vessel. I hope they don't find lead in them like the toy scandal. 

nolaegghead said:

Note to self:  Kamado Joe thread great way to stir hornet's nest.

Stirring up fanboys tho is like shooting fish in a barrel. Just way too easy.

Chinese manufacturing quality is way up, surpassed Mexico manufacturing quality years ago, back when Bill Clinton ran things.