Massive New Big Joe

hogsfan

hogsfan

I will do my best to make sure those words are on your tombstone but lets hope that is no time soon.  By the way I was pulling for the Hogs big time last year when they played the Crimson Terd.

I appreciate it. Sorry we let you down. Turns out, Alabama was pretty good this year.

The Naked Whiz

Bakeman, check out my 'Fest Map:  Ceramic Events Calendar and Map

Charcoal_Addict

KJ invocations are good for everyone. Compettion creates innovation. Plenty of US made products have caused harm and deaths and have been sued for it.

KJ has very strict quality control on par with BGE and both companies make a product of similar quality.

For me the decision comes down to BGE Canada and price. The KJ is equal in qaulity and 40% cheaper in Canada. The XL Egg is nearly double the pice in Canada vs the US even though most Canadain cites are with 75 - 300 miles of US cities and the CAD dollar is trading nearly on Par. Add slow customer service from BGE Canada and there's not a lot of good news for BGE north of the boader.

danv23

The ProJoe looks pretty dam awesome.

asfish

In the UK at least there is now a good channel for BGE support and extras. If the Joe was a lot cheaper I might consider it, I will get a lot of push back from my wife when I try for the 2nd XL next year!

 

As they are more or less the same price I may as well go for what I know, the BGE

Duganboy

I dont know how to quote hogsfans question, but according to the link that Tweev_tip shared, it says that they will have a ash screen.

@EasyE Just click on the quote button by the post, and it will bring that post into the window where you will then post.

Z_Eggineer

How much is the ProJoe?  I am excited to see ceramics take off.  I can't stand grill with really thin metal.

SandBilly

How much is the ProJoe?  I am excited to see ceramics take off.  I can't stand grill with really thin metal.

Try 8k...I'll have to pass this time.

Sgt93

Wow, very Ford vs Chevy in this thread ) That thing is a monster! I'm very happy with my XL and the BGE community though.  It's damn hard to beat for sure.

Sgt93

I'm digging the bamboo shelves. Wouldn't mind doing that with mine. 

Ellis

The ceramic walls on the egg are thicker then the KJ. The reason I know, I bought there thermometor because it was 2 1/2 inch around, easer on the old eyes. Anyway a nut threads from the back side and I could not get one turn on it. So there for BGE got to thicker.  

Canuck_Smoker

Its not the size of your egg that matters it how you use it :-)

Sgt93

Its not the size of your egg that matters it how you use it :-)

)

Rich_ie

Its not the size of your egg that matters it how you use it :-)

+1

Charcoal_Addict

Ellis said:

The ceramic walls on the egg are thicker then the KJ. The reason I know, I bought there thermometor because it was 2 1/2 inch around, easer on the old eyes. Anyway a nut threads from the back side and I could not get one turn on it. So there for BGE got to thicker.  

The walls on the Joe are thicker. The Naked Whiz did a review for the Kamado Joe. Regardless, it doesn't really matter. They are both really good ceramic cookers.

I chose to buy the big joe because of the Gaskets and customer support in Canada. The cookers are 90% the same. It's pretty apples and oranages.

KJ doesn't fixed the gasket issues Primo and BGE have not addressed. I also like the design of heat deflector better on the Joe with the split level metal frame half moon pieces. A ceramic firebox divider is also included.

Most of the differences are minor. Anyone should be happy with either cooker. Hopefully KJ's innovations puts pressure on BGE to address issues. That would include customer service issues in Canada.

Baysidebob

My BGE has a protective layer of gook.  Please don't tell me its's made with bad stuff.  What I AM worried about is what's in the food I'm eating.  I had to make a few trips last spring and every day I saw crop dusters.  Check out what's allowed in "ground beef".  I grind my own now.  We all make our choices, but they should be INFORMED choices.

SmoothSmoke

Wow, a behemoth!

newegg13

I wish Gary would post his little popcorn eating guy. This is fun to watch.

Agreed.  

BGE4Life

In 25 years of sales I have never disparaged another product.  I am of the camp that no matter what you buy, do your own research and make the decision that fits yourself or your family.  I understand that the two products look alike and really function virtually the same.  Competition is good and the better company usually wins out in the long run. In a free market system like we have, competition drives prices down and highers the standard of living for average people.  Without competition, only the elite can usually have the elite styled product.  BGE will ultimately benefit with the number of people learning about the ceramic cooker and the benefits of using it.  I have referred several to buy an egg and will continue to do so.  I bought my second this year and will buy another unless something happens and I can't afford it.  BGE will grow the dealer base to combat the proliferation of lesser expensive cookers and will usually get the customer that sees through the design similarities and appreciates the original.  The people that can't afford the BGE will buy the lesser expensive cooker and they would never have bought the egg so in my opinion it's a mute point.  One thing to remember is that BGE knows how long its ceramic will last in all weather conditions as it is sold worldwide.  I keep mine outside all winter in Wisconsin and in 3 years it still looks like new.  Other ceramic may over time crumble and then the manufacturer may be on the line for many replacements.  Who knows how this plays out.

nolaegghead

Why, why, why doesn't BGE improve their product by upgrading the gasket?  Because they save $5 on the felt? 

Sgt93

nolaegghead said:

Why, why, why doesn't BGE improve their product by upgrading the gasket?  Because they save $5 on the felt? 

BGE probably ordered a ton of the gaskets and are using them up first, even though they are sub par.

Mattlock

That giant KJ is pretty sweet, I have to admit it!

Charcoal_Addict

I never chose Kamado Joe because it was cheaper. The price is relative to the Egg. I chose it cause of the issue they fixed. Stainless hardware, superior stainless grate, lid ground down to better fit the base, counterbalanced hinge, higher done height, firebox diver included, ect... I chose it for the innovations and not the price.

bbqlearner

I keep hearing that the firebox divider is included. However, I have talked to multiple dealers in the area and all have claimed that the firebox divider is not included (it's an accessory). Some didn't even know what a firebox divider is. Just wondering why there's a disconnect.

SmoothSmoke

How long has Kamado Joe been around? 

Charcoal_Addict

bbqlearner said:

I keep hearing that the firebox divider is included. However, I have talked to multiple dealers in the area and all have claimed that the firebox divider is not included (it's an accessory). Some didn't even know what a firebox divider is. Just wondering why there's a disconnect.

It is supposed to be standard. It would listed on the site as an Big Joe accessory if it wasn't.

SmoothSmoke said:

How long has Kamado Joe been around? 

Since 2005 with sales doubling every year. It's sold internationally.

SmoothSmoke

Thanks!

Charcoal_Addict

Here's a pic of the firebox divider that comes with the Big Joe if anyone is curious.