Non-EGG Kamados

noveggske

Please skip the "just get an egg" or "#BGE4LIFE" comments.    I was looking through other Kamado options, I have a large and MM looking for friends, and I really like the Grilla Kong, price seems right, features seem right.   But is it just a rebranded pitmaster kamado?  

Photo Egg

Not sure if it's related to Pitmaster but the 4 year warranty would stop me from buying.

YukonRon

noveggske said:

Please skip the "just get an egg" or "#BGE4LIFE" comments.    I was looking through other Kamado options, I have a large and MM looking for friends, and I really like the Grilla Kong, price seems right, features seem right.   But is it just a rebranded pitmaster kamado?  

How about going to their forum and website and ask the people that own them instead of BGE folks? I think the information you get would be better than those of us that have 0 experience with them.
Just guessing.

WeberWho

I'm not sure what your buddy is willing to drop but this is only 8k+

pgprescott

Most of the other companies won't be around for the long haul like BGE. Very important point to consider when purchasing a lifetime product. Cheers! I'm gonna break the rules and say buy a BGE. 

noveggske

pgprescott said:

Most of the other companies won't be around for the long haul like BGE. Very important point to consider when purchasing a lifetime product. Cheers! I'm gonna break the rules and say buy a BGE. 

I did... twice, would do it again, I'm just looking for a sub $1,100 option to point people to if they are just in willing to drop the coin. 

WeberWho

noveggske said:

pgprescott said:

Most of the other companies won't be around for the long haul like BGE. Very important point to consider when purchasing a lifetime product. Cheers! I'm gonna break the rules and say buy a BGE. 

I did... twice, would do it again, I'm just looking for a sub $1,100 option to point people to if they are just in willing to drop the coin. 

Where are you located? It might help for what's available in your area and price

noveggske

Photo Egg said:

Not sure if it's related to Pitmaster but the 4 year warranty would stop me from buying.

I'm a guy who has no issues buying used eggs, I actually prefer it, but I'm cheap.   The egg warranty is good, but is limited to say the least.  Just ceramic issues due to manufacturer error which if we look at it honestly would probably come out in the first year or so with heavy use.  

Lit

noveggske said:

Photo Egg said:

Not sure if it's related to Pitmaster but the 4 year warranty would stop me from buying.

I'm a guy who has no issues buying used eggs, I actually prefer it, but I'm cheap.   The egg warranty is good, but is limited to say the least.  Just ceramic issues due to manufacturer error which if we look at it honestly would probably come out in the first year or so with heavy use.  

Yeah they only cover like 95% of it for life that's very limited. Oh and buying used eggs is about the worst idea I have heard people should not be asking your opinion.

theyolksonyou

noveggske said:

Photo Egg said:

Not sure if it's related to Pitmaster but the 4 year warranty would stop me from buying.

I'm a guy who has no issues buying used eggs, I actually prefer it, but I'm cheap.   The egg warranty is good, but is limited to say the least.  Just ceramic issues due to manufacturer error which if we look at it honestly would probably come out in the first year or so with heavy use.  

Not manufacturing issues. Lifetime if you don't do something stupid like dump it over on the landscape wall. Big difference. They're ceramic, they're going to crack eventually. 

noveggske

Lit said:

noveggske said:

Photo Egg said:

Not sure if it's related to Pitmaster but the 4 year warranty would stop me from buying.

I'm a guy who has no issues buying used eggs, I actually prefer it, but I'm cheap.   The egg warranty is good, but is limited to say the least.  Just ceramic issues due to manufacturer error which if we look at it honestly would probably come out in the first year or so with heavy use.  

Yeah they only cover like 95% of it for life that's very limited. Oh and buying used eggs is about the worst idea I have heard people should not be asking your opinion.

Near new large with all the accessories for $400.  I interrogated the previous owner, it was a gold tournament prize, he liked his offset more for big stuff and wanted a treager.  Checked it out thoroughly.  Sometimes people get eggs and it's just not for them and they look to off old quick to get a treager.  I did buy my minimax new though.    

Lit

noveggske said:

Lit said:

noveggske said:

Photo Egg said:

Not sure if it's related to Pitmaster but the 4 year warranty would stop me from buying.

I'm a guy who has no issues buying used eggs, I actually prefer it, but I'm cheap.   The egg warranty is good, but is limited to say the least.  Just ceramic issues due to manufacturer error which if we look at it honestly would probably come out in the first year or so with heavy use.  

Yeah they only cover like 95% of it for life that's very limited. Oh and buying used eggs is about the worst idea I have heard people should not be asking your opinion.

Near new large with all the accessories for $400.  I interrogated the previous owner, it was a gold tournament prize, he liked his offset more for big stuff and wanted a treager.  Checked it out thoroughly.  Sometimes people get eggs and it's just not for them and they look to off old quick to get a treager.  I did buy my minimax new though.    

I bought several larges between $350 and $450 over the years. Got sick of replacing parts. One cracked base at $350 and your not ahead much anymore. In the last 10 years I have had 4 bases crack. I wouldn't buy a used egg anymore. 

SmokeyPitt

I don't know anything about this one but it looks like a Vision or a "Pit boss" that they sell at Sam's and Costco. Just my $.02 but I would rather get it at one of the big box stores so if there is an issue you can return it.  Also I am pretty sure Vision grills now have a lifetime warranty.  

This one at Costco is also 24 inches and looks very similar. 

https://www.costco.com/Pit-Boss-Ceramic-BBQ-Grill-.product.100295951.html

I am pretty sure the in store price is $600. The stand doesn't look as nice but I would definitely prefer to buy from Costco for $200 less. 

ryantt

I know that the  vision grills B series is like $550.  

noveggske

Lit said:

noveggske said:

Lit said:

noveggske said:

Photo Egg said:

Not sure if it's related to Pitmaster but the 4 year warranty would stop me from buying.

I'm a guy who has no issues buying used eggs, I actually prefer it, but I'm cheap.   The egg warranty is good, but is limited to say the least.  Just ceramic issues due to manufacturer error which if we look at it honestly would probably come out in the first year or so with heavy use.  

Yeah they only cover like 95% of it for life that's very limited. Oh and buying used eggs is about the worst idea I have heard people should not be asking your opinion.

Near new large with all the accessories for $400.  I interrogated the previous owner, it was a gold tournament prize, he liked his offset more for big stuff and wanted a treager.  Checked it out thoroughly.  Sometimes people get eggs and it's just not for them and they look to off old quick to get a treager.  I did buy my minimax new though.    

I bought several larges between $350 and $450 over the years. Got sick of replacing parts. One cracked base at $350 and your not ahead much anymore. In the last 10 years I have had 4 bases crack. I wouldn't buy a used egg anymore. 

So you say worst idea after buying 4? Fair enough.  Some people are in your mind set and don't want to buy used but don't want to spend over $1k all in so I was looking for an option to direct them to. 

GregW

There are two types of BGE
(1) A cracked egg
(2) An egg that is not currently cracked, but will crack in the future.

An egg that has no warranty is a financial liability.

I don't know anything about other cooker's, but I wouldn't want any egg style cooker that didn't have a lifetime warranty on the main ceramics.

lousubcap

@WeberWho - asked a good question about general location as you can get an eggfest demo BGE (cooked on once tops) with full warranty at a good price reduction.  And the season for eggfests is getting into full-swing. FWIW-

Lit

noveggske said:

Lit said:

noveggske said:

Lit said:

noveggske said:

Photo Egg said:

Not sure if it's related to Pitmaster but the 4 year warranty would stop me from buying.

I'm a guy who has no issues buying used eggs, I actually prefer it, but I'm cheap.   The egg warranty is good, but is limited to say the least.  Just ceramic issues due to manufacturer error which if we look at it honestly would probably come out in the first year or so with heavy use.  

Yeah they only cover like 95% of it for life that's very limited. Oh and buying used eggs is about the worst idea I have heard people should not be asking your opinion.

Near new large with all the accessories for $400.  I interrogated the previous owner, it was a gold tournament prize, he liked his offset more for big stuff and wanted a treager.  Checked it out thoroughly.  Sometimes people get eggs and it's just not for them and they look to off old quick to get a treager.  I did buy my minimax new though.    

I bought several larges between $350 and $450 over the years. Got sick of replacing parts. One cracked base at $350 and your not ahead much anymore. In the last 10 years I have had 4 bases crack. I wouldn't buy a used egg anymore. 

So you say worst idea after buying 4? Fair enough.  Some people are in your mind set and don't want to buy used but don't want to spend over $1k all in so I was looking for an option to direct them to. 

If it has to look like a kamado the Akorn is a good cheap option that will probably outlast many of the newer cheaper kamados coming out. If it doesn't have to look like a kamado I would get a weber smokey mountain. If it has to be a ceramic kamado vision is still cheap and been around for several years now and I had read some decent reviews on their customer service.

blasting

I've bought and sold a half dozen used eggs. I did this so that I could afford the hobby, and it also helped solidify my idea on my perfect size.  Each time I did it I was taking a risk.  Now I'm done - new full warranty eggs for me.

Buy a new large for 400, replace a base and you are at the price of new, but still with zero warranty.

tenpenny_05

blasting said:

I've bought and sold a half dozen used eggs. I did this so that I could afford the hobby, and it also helped solidify my idea on my perfect size.  Each time I did it I was taking a risk.  Now I'm done - new full warranty eggs for me.

Buy a new large for 400, replace a base and you are at the price of new, but still with zero warranty.

Best comment in this thread.

bigbadben

I am pretty sure the grilla, pitboss, and vision are all rebrands from the same factory.  Vision is the brand with the longest history. I would look at how their support responds to claims compared to BGE or even KJ. 

I have seen posts on other Kamado forums where people claim a cracked FB and are told something like "when it is unuseable we will replace it. Keep cooking and reach out when you need a new FB". 

FatTrout

tenpenny_05 said:

blasting said:

I've bought and sold a half dozen used eggs. I did this so that I could afford the hobby, and it also helped solidify my idea on my perfect size.  Each time I did it I was taking a risk.  Now I'm done - new full warranty eggs for me.

Buy a new large for 400, replace a base and you are at the price of new, but still with zero warranty.

Best comment in this threadblasting said:


Fat Trout Said:

Not completely correct. When you buy a new case from BGE  a ceramic warranty comes with it. Same goes for any BGE ceramic part you buy from  BGE. So the case is warrantied from the point of purchase on. 

Gulfcoastguy

Strangely my 8 year old medium hasn't cracked yet. I do like the looks of the Kamoda Joe and there is a local dealer. Eventually I might upgrade to a large in green or red tbd.

Hans61

The new joe features make it hard to not consider. For the $ I'd take a Weber summit over kj but only if your not wanting another egg. 

Dont know the kong 

Biggreenpharmacist

I have a medium vision down at my camp. It does a fine job but Ive never filed a warranty claim (but I do get emails from them so I KNOW its registered). Its a good cooker. I dont like it as much as my eggs but for what it is and what I paid its worth every penny. 

Skiddymarker

Bought a Primo 300 a few years ago, the oval shape is ideal to provide direct and indirect in the same kamado. The 400 is an even larger unit. Tom at the Ceramic Grill Store sells a number of cookers and has a bunch of accessories as well. I must admit I use the Primo for the majority of our cooks. 
Think the US price is around $900-$1000 for the 300. 

noveggske

Skiddymarker said:

Bought a Primo 300 a few years ago, the oval shape is ideal to provide direct and indirect in the same kamado. The 400 is an even larger unit. Tom at the Ceramic Grill Store sells a number of cookers and has a bunch of accessories as well. I must admit I use the Primo for the majority of our cooks. 
Think the US price is around $900-$1000 for the 300. 

I like the primo 300, my local BGE dealer uses one in classes for baking sides.  

noveggske

Hans61 said:

The new joe features make it hard to not consider. For the $ I'd take a Weber summit over kj but only if your not wanting another egg. 

Dont know the kong 

The summit is pretty awesome, but by no means affordable. 

noveggske

Gulfcoastguy said:

Strangely my 8 year old medium hasn't cracked yet. I do like the looks of the Kamoda Joe and there is a local dealer. Eventually I might upgrade to a large in green or red tbd.

My dads 10 year old one, no issues yet.  I've seen 20+ year old ones with all original parts.  Hell, my uncle is still rocking the one my grandpa brought home from Korea, still works... a little rough around the edges but still works. 

fishlessman

noveggske said:

Please skip the "just get an egg" or "#BGE4LIFE" comments.    I was looking through other Kamado options, I have a large and MM looking for friends, and I really like the Grilla Kong, price seems right, features seem right.   But is it just a rebranded pitmaster kamado?  

that grill is made by vision grills. forget customer service, they voided my warranty day one.they decided one day to void the warranty from a certain dealer, the day i bought mine. no problems with the grill except the daisy is cheaply made and there was a rubber gasket on the gage that melts off with the first use. mine was the kub, equivalent to the mini. either home depot or lowes sells vision, you can go look at one. the side tables are easily removed if you want to store them out of the weather

tenpenny_05

I think the big thing to consider with the kong/vision/pit boss kamados, is that the charcoal bowl and fire ring are all one gigantic piece. 
With the questionable warranty from these guys, this worries me knowing that the most important part of the grill is going to be very susceptible to failure.