Is BGE really falling behind?

odie91

Most dealers by me are switching from BGe to KJ.   Maybe margins are higher, who knows.

HeavyG

distanceman said:

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bweekes said:

I've owned and cooked on eggs and KJs. Both are good cookers. My sense is that KJ listens to the market and is quicker to bring products to their users. Joetisserie is a decent example. Also, the Joe jr. was out for about a year before the mini-max came out. Call it innovation, or just being in tune, but I think KJ has done a good job in that regard. 

I think that's probably the best description I've heard--in tune and meeting their customer's desires vs leading the pack in innovation (as seen by the laundry list of things I listed that weren't necessarily "firsts" in the kamado market, albeit good additions).

Do you have a preference between KJ and BGE? 

I'm definitely leaning towards the XL--mostly because the additional dome clearance and coupled with the Adjustable Rig, being able to go 3 levels if needed...or putting a pork butt/brisket up top in the dome. It is also noticeably smaller than the Big Joe.

I agree that the XL has the better dome/clearance. KJ should copy that.

FearlessTheEggNoob

There are pictures available online that show the two side by side. If there is significantly more dome clearance, then it is mostly due to a lower grate height on the BGE.

Hub

I think BGE is definitely falling behind.  It's the classic example of a stubborn company trying to rest upon its laurels while hungry competitors do the opposite.  As soon as I read that BGE management made it so that any thread on this board regarding the Joetisserie would not rise to the top after so many posts .. while at the same time insisting any form of rotisserie was a waste ... I knew everything was shifting at that point.

I'm a business owner and in all honesty, I would fire the people that made this decision.

DMW

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innovator's_Dilemma

SGH

DMW said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innovator's_Dilemma

That book reminds me of Amy's dilemma. 

DMW

SGH said:

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DMW said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innovator's_Dilemma

That book reminds me of Amy's dilemma. 

@SGH - Thanks, I just spit bourbon on my computer..

SGH

DMW said:

@SGH - Thanks, I just spit bourbon on my computer..

My pleasure brother D. Always glad to put a smile on a friends face. 

Canugghead

bweekes said:

... I will say that the XL is the best cooker i've ever owned (i've had a large egg, weber bullet, and a KJ jr), and still own my medium. Hands down, the xl is my go-to cooker. Start up time, temp stability, versatility (i have an AR), cook time, etc. -

Couldn't agree more, for my bacon smoke today the XL held temp rock solid around 180-185F the whole time until I cranked it up to 200F near the finish line (total 7 hours), the weather was a mixed bag of sun, wind, rain, ice pellets and snow. No temp controller needed. 

clifkincaid

I've been making jerky lately on my large. I can hold 160 and lower if needed. No controller also. It really is pretty easy. Just hit a golf ball size and let it burn for a few minutes so it gets going good enough where it will maintain. Close up and set it. Let it slowly come up. And lock in your temp.

Jameson19

Is this turning into the everlasting debate between Mustang vs Camaro? 

Ill admit it, I'm a brand slut, and once I like a certain brand, I'll stick with it until I get screwed. Can KJ cook an outstanding brisket, burger or couple of dogs? Sure. Personal preference...

It's all another reason I love my stage 3 Roush mustang... Are there faster cars, sure. Can those drivers out drive me? Probably not. 

Time me for another bourbon to wash down the double tri-tips I just smoked on my large BIG GREEN EGG!!! 

distanceman

Jameson19 said:

Is this turning into the everlasting debate between Mustang vs Camaro? 

Ill admit it, I'm a brand slut, and once I like a certain brand, I'll stick with it until I get screwed. Can KJ cook an outstanding brisket, burger or couple of dogs? Sure. Personal preference...

It's all another reason I love my stage 3 Roush mustang... Are there faster cars, sure. Can those drivers out drive me? Probably not. 

Time me for another bourbon to wash down the double tri-tips I just smoked on my large BIG GREEN EGG!!! 

That's fair--and to be honest, I'm pretty brand loyal as well. Because of that, I drive myself insane trying to determine the "best" brand to become loyal to. 

I guess when I'm looking at almost $2K for an XL and all the accessories--I want to get it right. My biggest fear is buyers remorse/grass is greener. I assume once I pull the trigger, I just need to not look back. 

Thx...

clifkincaid

Jameson19 said:

Is this turning into the everlasting debate between Mustang vs Camaro? 

Ill admit it, I'm a brand slut, and once I like a certain brand, I'll stick with it until I get screwed. Can KJ cook an outstanding brisket, burger or couple of dogs? Sure. Personal preference...

It's all another reason I love my stage 3 Roush mustang... Are there faster cars, sure. Can those drivers out drive me? Probably not. 

Time me for another bourbon to wash down the double tri-tips I just smoked on my large BIG GREEN EGG!!! 

Pic of the Mustang? 

Hans61

DMW said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innovator's_Dilemma

Click the link. Scroll down read subject matter. 

distanceman

Hans61 said:

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DMW said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innovator's_Dilemma

Click the link. Scroll down read subject matter. 

I read it and it's definitely interesting. I know I'm way over thinking the whole KJ vs BGE vs Primo vs Other...I think this is where I'm stuck:

On one hand, BGE could be at the end of the S curve, and will get out maneuvered by KJ. Even if they did, not sure BGE would ever got belly up...but who knows.

On the other hand, I often wonder if KJ over-extends (the CEO said they invested $1M in the new hinge design) and under delivers...they could find themselves in a bad place financially. I am very curious to see how sales go now that their flagship grills will price above a BGE. And/or as they grow, the "tight knit feel" where the CEO regularly hands out his phone number, email and is on FB will quickly come to an end...which is one of the draws to the company currently.

Anyways, all this just gives me something to think about while I make my decision. I'm half tempted to just buy an Akorn -- cheap, quick, dirty, done! ha.

lousubcap

@distanceman said: I assume once I pull the trigger, I just need to not look back. 

Wherever you land you do need to embrace your thought above.  Just go forward and above all, have fun.  

pgprescott

distanceman said:

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Hans61 said:

DMW said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innovator's_Dilemma

Click the link. Scroll down read subject matter. 

I read it and it's definitely interesting. I know I'm way over thinking the whole KJ vs BGE vs Primo vs Other...I think this is where I'm stuck:

On one hand, BGE could be at the end of the S curve, and will get out maneuvered by KJ. Even if they did, not sure BGE would ever got belly up...but who knows.

On the other hand, I often wonder if KJ over-extends (the CEO said they invested $1M in the new hinge design) and under delivers...they could find themselves in a bad place financially. I am very curious to see how sales go now that their flagship grills will price above a BGE. And/or as they grow, the "tight knit feel" where the CEO regularly hands out his phone number, email and is on FB will quickly come to an end...which is one of the draws to the company currently.

Anyways, all this just gives me something to think about while I make my decision. I'm half tempted to just buy an Akorn -- cheap, quick, dirty, done! ha.

How many extra units must they sell to recoupe the investment? What is the end value of the investment to the customer? The answer to the second question is almost zero. 

onedbguru

I see these a gimmick rather than innovations.  The "technology" and success of ceramic cookers is rather simple. Ceramics to hold the heat, vents to let air in and to let smoke escape and the draft that naturally occurs when fire is involved. With my XL, so far, I have never needed to have anything like the multi-tier rigs.  

My guess is that there is a perceive $$$ savings with going with the knock-offs vs anything really "innovated".  Just my observation. 

texaswig

Really? Upgrading big green egg owners. These guys add a smokeware top and then act like they're changing the game. Ridiculous. 

JohnInCarolina

So did we answer this question yet?  I need to know if BGE is doomed.  I need to cash in my forum points before it's too friggin late.

Legume

Coattails.  Always funny to me - shouldn't the market be people that don't own kamado cookers?

stlcharcoal

texaswig said:

Really? Upgrading big green egg owners. These guys add a smokeware top and then act like they're changing the game. Ridiculous. 

That's not even the new one......that's the current design.  New one will be $200 more from what I heard.

HeavyG

Legume said:

Coattails.  Always funny to me - shouldn't the market be people that don't own kamado cookers?

How many brands of cars have you ever owned?

Are you one of those folks that has always driven say..Ford's and will NEVER own another brand?

Hans61

I've only bought 2 cars. Both Camrys they last forever. I drove a parent gifted vehicle till I was out of school 

pgprescott

stlcharcoal said:

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texaswig said:

Really? Upgrading big green egg owners. These guys add a smokeware top and then act like they're changing the game. Ridiculous. 

That's not even the new one......that's the current design.  New one will be $200 more from what I heard.

I wonder how shiny they will be at equal or higher price? I can see it now. 

Legume

HeavyG said:

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Legume said:

Coattails.  Always funny to me - shouldn't the market be people that don't own kamado cookers?

How many brands of cars have you ever owned?

Are you one of those folks that has always driven say..Ford's and will NEVER own another brand?

I wish this comparison made sense.

SGH

Legume said:

I wish this comparison made sense.

A better comparison would have been anus vs sphincter

alynd

for what it's worth, BGE outsells KJ closer to 2:1 than 4:1 as previously stated.  

blasting

alynd said:

for what it's worth, BGE outsells KJ closer to 2:1 than 4:1 as previously stated.  

I recently discovered that not all statements of fact on the internet are true.  

This one is highly suspect - private companies don't usually release sales figures to the public

alynd

blasting said:

show previous quotes

alynd said:

for what it's worth, BGE outsells KJ closer to 2:1 than 4:1 as previously stated.  

I recently discovered that not all statements of fact on the internet are true.  

This one is highly suspect - private companies don't usually release sales figures to the public

i used to work for one of said private companies so it's a pretty educated estimate.