Innovations From the Dark Side

Fred19Flintstone

They look, well, innovative.

https://youtu.be/1NYuNNFtZ3s

thetrim

Wow. Some very cool changes but that firebox looks like a PIA to get placed. 

Spaightlabs

Very slick.

While on one hand K.I.S.S. is a great mantra, 'this is the way we've always done it' doesn't always work...

RRP

I'm throughly impressed!!! The buffalo will be nailing this thread for sure! These innovations show a company which is thinking and not resting on their butts!

slobound

I agree the firebox could be a pain to assemble but I really like the new cap design, air lift hinge, and CI divider system. I love my KAB but I think the divider is a great option for cooking style. 

Carolina Q

Meh. The gasket looks like it has possibilities, but that's about it for me. The PITA firebox would suck! Rarely use a top vent now, so I'm not interested in their new one. Don't see the need for the one finger dome thing. Don't like the latch idea either. I'm guessing the dome won't stay closed without it. Do you have to wear welders gloves to flip the release lever? Have never felt the need for a firebox divider either (or the divide and conquer thing for that matter).

I am one of the last people on here who would be accused of being a green Kool Aid drinker. But it looks to me like KJ is "innovating" just so they can say they ARE.

NPHuskerFL

I'm interested in this gasket's longevity. Not so much the gasket itself but, the way it's adhered. And more importantly is it available for other KJ owners to purchase to install on an older model Joe?  If it is I'd say this would be a logical upgrade for BGE owners alike. Not to say I don't like my Rutland. 

RRP

NPHuskerFL said:

I'm interested in this gasket's longevity. Not so much the gasket itself but, the way it's adhered. And more importantly is it available for other KJ owners to purchase to install on an older model Joe?  If it is I'd say this would be a logical upgrade for BGE owners alike. Not to say I don't like my Rutland. 

My gut says the gasket is probably tube like initially with a pronounced seam which gets attached somehow in a concentric groove molded in the base and dome. If I'm correct it would not be adaptable to a BGE.

Photo Egg

RRP said:

NPHuskerFL said:

I'm interested in this gasket's longevity. Not so much the gasket itself but, the way it's adhered. And more importantly is it available for other KJ owners to purchase to install on an older model Joe?  If it is I'd say this would be a logical upgrade for BGE owners alike. Not to say I don't like my Rutland. 

My gut says the gasket is probably tube like initially with a pronounced seam which gets attached somehow in a concentric groove molded in the base and dome. If I'm correct it would not be adaptable to a BGE.

You could be right Ron. I know it is tube shaped but never looked hard enough at it to see how it was attached.

GregW

I'm impressed with the Kamado Joe, but I'm satisfied with my BGE. 
If I were just looking to get into ceramic cooking I would seriously consider a Joe.

Carolina Q

RRP said:

My gut says the gasket is probably tube like initially with a pronounced seam which gets attached somehow in a concentric groove molded in the base and dome. If I'm correct it would not be adaptable to a BGE.

PattyO on the old forum, bought a fiberglas kitchen oven gasket years ago. Don't recall how she attached it and I don't know if it's still going (it's probably been 6-7 years now). Those are tubular as well (at least the one on my oven is). Don't see why you couldn't attach it with Permatex (unless the "seam" is huge. Have to see one I guess.

lousubcap

Nothing to see here that hasn't been tossed around with several pages of comments here:  The market will decide.

Is BGE really falling behind?  

JohnInCarolina

I'll probably buy one of these in about a hundred years when my Large finally breaks down.

Biggreenpharmacist

bhedges1987

I like everything on it, minus the firebox.  The gasket looks like what the big steel kegs have.  Mine never leaked an ounce of smoke.

SGH

RRP said:

I'm throughly impressed!!! The buffalo will be nailing this thread for sure! These innovations show a company which is thinking and not resting on their butts!

Well said Ron. If other manufacturers start turning out great products, then BGE will step up their game as well. It's a "win win" for customers. 

Skiddymarker

RRP said:

NPHuskerFL said:

I'm interested in this gasket's longevity. Not so much the gasket itself but, the way it's adhered. And more importantly is it available for other KJ owners to purchase to install on an older model Joe?  If it is I'd say this would be a logical upgrade for BGE owners alike. Not to say I don't like my Rutland. 

My gut says the gasket is probably tube like initially with a pronounced seam which gets attached somehow in a concentric groove molded in the base and dome. If I'm correct it would not be adaptable to a BGE.

I think it is a clip attachment, like the Akorn, was looking at LavaLock for some low temp felt for the Weber Kettle and saw the ad for a KJ
replacement. 
http://bbqgaskets.com/wire-mesh-fiberglass-gasket-replacement-for-kamado-joe-classic-18-by-lavalockr.html

RRP

Skiddymarker said:

RRP said:

I think it is a clip attachment, like the Akorn, was looking at LavaLock for some low temp felt for the Weber Kettle and saw the ad for a KJ
replacement. 
http://bbqgaskets.com/wire-mesh-fiberglass-gasket-replacement-for-kamado-joe-classic-18-by-lavalockr.html

Well, it's rated at only 1,000º which is well below a 2,200º Rutland, but who's comparing? hehehe

Skiddymarker

@RRP, good point, I'm thinking it is a commercial oven type gasket, so the 1000ºF is good. 

onedbguru

Firebox - looks like a real pain.  I have no use for the "firebox splitter".  I have an XL and all I have to do is push the charcoal to one side if I needed something like that.  The XL doesn't need a lock.  When we have the @RRP gasket, don't think that is very "innovative". 

I think I will stick with my XL BGE.

Dobie

Building a better mouse trap, nothing wrong with that. 

bigbadben

I have a buddy who just put together the firebox. He said it was easy. Lay everything in place, put the ring ontop and nudge the pieces into place.  

I have been following the KJ fan Facebook group.  The gasket was announced in January, steel woven around fiberglass that will be retrofitable to older generations of Joe's.  

RRP

bigbadben said:

I have a buddy who just put together the firebox. He said it was easy. Lay everything in place, put the ring ontop and nudge the pieces into place.  

I just haven't caught the need for the nasty comments so far about their divided firebox. Obviously it will allow for heat expansion and contraction without cracking like the 1 piece BGE firebox. OR if a piece or two WOULD break then the piece(s) could be shipped cheaply! It obviously will save the KJ company a bundle not having to replace big *ss fireboxes! As for the haters here - I have to ask just how often do you remove your BGE firebox? So why would removing and returning the KJ firebox be a PITA to you?

bclarksicle

Those innovations seem like solutions in search of a problem. 

Fred19Flintstone

Without first hand experience, I like the idea of the ash catcher and the segmented firebox.  I've had a broken BGE firebox and the segmented firebox design looks to be able to handle expansion and contraction better than a one piece unit.  Since I don't remove the firebox more often than a blue moon, the PITA argument is lost on me.  The top vent looks more appealing than the standard daisy wheel, but I think I still prefer the Smokeware cap.  
I like my eggs, but there's nothing wrong with checking out what the competition is doing and God forbid, liking their innovative style.  I wish the mothership would do some of these things.

Ozzie_Isaac

People didn't you read your purchase agreement?  When you bought the BGE you essentially got married.  No checking out other brands, even if it just for "research" or "you thought you knew her from highschool".

HeavyG

Another new KJ "innovation" ( or rip-off or unneeded toy depending upon ones point of view) is this new gizmo coming out this summer:


It is a pit controller with the electronics and fan in a weatherproof enclosure. One neat trick is that it has a much more powerful fan that can be triggered by the software  "Startup Mode" to run at full blast (30cfm) after you light your lump and the forced air will get your fire really blazing in just a couple of minutes sort of like the BBQ Dragon does.

If I remember correctly the anticipated price point was in the neighborhood of $150. They plan on sending out a hundred or so units to users for a soft launch in June. 

Focker

HeavyG said:

Another new KJ "innovation" ( or rip-off or unneeded toy depending upon ones point of view) is this new gizmo coming out this summer:


It is a pit controller with the electronics and fan in a weatherproof enclosure. One neat trick is that it has a much more powerful fan that can be triggered by the software  "Startup Mode" to run at full blast (30cfm) after you light your lump and the forced air will get your fire really blazing in just a couple of minutes sort of like the BBQ Dragon does.

If I remember correctly the anticipated price point was in the neighborhood of $150. They plan on sending out a hundred or so units to users for a soft launch in June. 

This is really cool, clever name, good pricepoint to boot considering a FB is $300.....CRUSHING IT 

We, as a society, have become Wifi gadget freaks, this will definitely cater to that crowd.  

ryantt

@Focker  you're exactly right 

Hans61

https://youtu.be/iyjl-Jm_Pnw

Owner creator of kj interview he says more improvements coming in 2018 tragerizing the kamado...

Edit. Might have Ave been a different clip where he said that 

Photo Egg

bclarksicle said:

Those innovations seem like solutions in search of a problem. 

You made a great point calling them solutions. Many of the changes KJ made are solutions. They DO fix problems. They are not only problems common to BGE but all ceramic cookers. Cracked firebox and firerings have always been a problem. Granted, they are warrantee covered but still a pain for many people who do not live close to their dealer or have dealers that are not very supportive to help with replacement parts. 
The newer BGE gaskets are better than their past versions but I would still say its not very good. The new KJ gasket looks promising but time will tell. @RRP , how many replacement gaskets have you shipped over the years?
Is KJ listening to their customers and trying to improve their products?
Shame on them.lol