Why go Green?

Rad5

Hello. I am upgrading my old propane smoker and I was thinking of getting a Kamado style grill. I like the idea of having a smoker, grill, and oven. Besides making BBQ, love making pizzas, roasts, grilling meats and vegetables. Getting a Kamado seems like a great fit. I have done some research on line and I see there are 2 very popular brands. I’m trying to decide…a Big Green Egg or a Kamado Joe? Please tell me why the BGE is a better choice. I have never owned a ceramic grill so any advice would be appreciated.

feef706

I cannot speak to a KJ, but they both a similar in quality. BGE has been around a long time and has dealers all over, which helps with warranty issues. If you can find/purchase a demo egg from one of the many egg fests going on this time of year you'll save yourself $300ish easy and still have the warranty. Where do you live?

stompbox

They are both great honestly. I don't buy stock in bashing other products that for all intents and purposes perform similarly.

But BGE warranty is great and so is the community.  Eggfests are fun and the people are even better.

Rad5

I live in Orlando, FL. One of the local dealers is offering pre buy demos form the Central FL Eggfest, however that isn't until November. The price isn't much better than new at my local Ace Hardware

Ozzie_Isaac

Check out your BGE dealer and your Kamado Joe dealer.  Go with the one you like better.

They are comparable grills.  The BGE community, however, is heads and tails better.

Dave in Florida

I'm in Central Fl also.  Check with Wassi Meats in Melbourne.  I got my XL from them at an Egg Fest. They sponsor Egg Fest and may be able to do you a better deal then Ace.  As far as BGE, the warranty is what sold me. And this community is so helpful.

theyolksonyou

KJ forum will not have a recipe for bourbon slushies

RRP

Your dollars - your decision - but since you asked you might want to check the KJ forum for the support, cooking fests, warranty in detail, dealer network, and then for kicks and giggles look at which company has been around longer. That MAY swing you to green, but if not I wish you happy cooking on whatever ceramic you end up with. One last thought - saving $100 up front isn't always a savings in the long run. Color me green for 16 years now with 4 BGEs, so yes I drank the Kool-Aide because I believe in the product.

1move

I personally went for one that has been around longer. The BGE intrigued me more and for me personally and my mindset the KJ was a knockoff of the BGE. I went with what I liked and I loved the Green color more, and this community came leaps and bounds compare to my questions about a KJ.

Either way you will learn eventually whichever way you go and you will still love it. Just go with your gut and not your wallet.  

Theophan

I'm an old guy, and this is probably just silly, but I feel a certain loyalty to the "original."  Sure, people have been cooking in kamados for a very long time, but I think it's true that the Big Green Egg guy was the first to take what had been an ancient rice cooker and reinvent it with modern ceramics that are very much better adapted to what people now use kamado cookers for than the old terra cotta style, and came up with some things that led to what has become sort of a revolution in home charcoal cooking.  Other people have gotten into the act, now, but unless there's a really huge reason to prefer one over another, I like sticking with the one that seems to me, anyway, to have reinvented the kamado, brought it into the modern age.  I love my Big Green Eggs (I have a Medium and a Large), and if I add any more, they'll be green!  

bhedges1987

Community of BGE is better. Dealer right by me. That's why I went with them. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Guys who own KJ's wear Jorts with Crocs. 

I kid. Both very similar. Lots of guys on here are switch hitters...and own both brands. You can't go wrong but you may feel a little on the outside if you get in to all the eggfest etc. I wouldn't make a decision based on that but they are a riot and I highly recommend you get involved in the greater BGE community no matter which you choose.

I think in this case your local dealer might be the deal breaker. Since these have a lifetime warranty, having a good dealer is a relationship that matters and will matter for years to come. 

billt01

Its all about price point as well.....I bought my BGE from my fathers neighbor a few days ago and LOVE IT for small cooks (easy to start and shutdown)....the ONLY issue i have found with the BGE cooker is cook area....you don't get that much...same with the Komodo Joe...I guess it really boils down to what you need.....

Chubbs

Warranty and support

Rad5

Thanks everyone. I do feel there is a bigger green community and I like that. I was on the KJ forum and there was a lot less activity. There is a local dealer that carries both grills and I will check them out, however I feel my mind is already made up.

OneNole03

Wassis just had their eggfest this past Saturday. I would call to see if they had any specials they could honor.

Who is hosting the one in November?

Rad5

I saw it advertised on Travel Country's site. It's Nov 5, 2016

http://centralfloridafalleggfest.com/

Ladeback69

@Rad5, If you are coming from a large grill you will probably want the XL.  I went from a gas grill and Weber Smokey Mountain to an XL and love it.  I still have the WMS for when I need more space and  am doing shorter cooks like ribs sometimes.  I look at the Kamado Joe, the Primo and the BGE and got the best deal from my dealer who is about 4 miles away and treats you like family when you come in.  They all are good, but as others have said I feel the BGE community is better, helps you out and is a lot more fun.  Good luck and either way you can still ask for advice here.

Jupiter Jim

Rad5 said:

I live in Orlando, FL. One of the local dealers is offering pre buy demos form the Central FL Eggfest, however that isn't until November. The price isn't much better than new at my local Ace Hardware

I went from a Weber gas to BGE 9 years ago and have never looked back..... 100% satisfied with BGE. You can get a great deal on a new one at the Georgia Mountain Eggfest next month. It's an awesome fest and worth the drive.

http://mountainegg.com/

northGAcock

theyolksonyou said:

KJ forum will not have a recipe for bourbon slushies

That cracked me up.

badinfluence

As everyone will tell you it's a personal choice. Is it the best out there? NO! You want the Cadillac then you should be looking at the kamado kamodo. Is the egg the best at everything? NO again. It is a wonderful ALL Around cooker that most will be thrilled with. Does it smoke better then my meat monster? Not even close. Does it do better at pizza then a brick oven. Nope again. But unless you want to spen the money I still think for value it is the best cooker someone can buy for a all around cooker all in one.

tonyled

i own both and believe you will be happy with either.  buy whichever one tickles your fancy and not your wallet

Miked125

I have both a komado joe and big green egg, I really like both and you can't really go wrong. I find the Joe comes with a lot of great accessories,

NonaScott

Rad5 said:

I live in Orlando, FL. One of the local dealers is offering pre buy demos form the Central FL Eggfest, however that isn't until November. The price isn't much better than new at my local Ace Hardware

Try millers hardware in winter park.

chrisc133

I cook on KJs and have no regrets with my decision.  

NonaScott

A little more on Miller's hardware and no, my last name isn't Miller. They have been there for 71 years. They are a very large BGE dealer and stand behind everything they sell. They have lots of accessories and a full line of lodge cast iron. They normally offer a large package which includes LBGE, nest, plate setter, and a large bag of bge lump for $949. They have been running a $50 dollar off coupon for a while which means $899. They also sell 4Rivers rubs and sauces along with others. Check them out.

BizGreenEgg

I have both and they are equally good.  KJ does come with more accessories to start.  Ultimately, I would go with the dealer you like the best.  You can still be part of this community if your cooker is a different color.  People won't shun you...too much.

Rad5

NonaScott said:

A little more on Miller's hardware and no, my last name isn't Miller. They have been there for 71 years. They are a very large BGE dealer and stand behind everything they sell. They have lots of accessories and a full line of lodge cast iron. They normally offer a large package which includes LBGE, nest, plate setter, and a large bag of bge lump for $949. They have been running a $50 dollar off coupon for a while which means $899. They also sell 4Rivers rubs and sauces along with others. Check them out.

I visit Millers quite often. They would be my dealer of choice. I love supporting local small family owned businesses.

Rad5

Today I checked out a KJ at an area Ace Hardware and those grills aren't for me. I feel as if they are a knock off of the BGE. I am sure they are great, but they weren't calling my name like the BGE does. Also, I wasn't very fond of the color, they looked more orange than red. I have a nice patio and I think that thing would stick out like a traffic cone. This forum has been great and I really enjoy the following the BGE has compared to the KJ site. My mind is made up. Green is for me!

Fred19Flintstone

And you won't get "pants" at a BGE event.

theyolksonyou

If you do, it's because someone had too many bourbon slushies and fell and grabbed onto you for help.