Ceramic Grill Store

tjv

Lots of comments floating around. I thought I should address some. First and foremost, thanks to all for the kind support regarding Ceramic Grill Store. We truly appreciate the positive comments and protective nature most have shown regarding our product line that was highlighted at the HPBA Expo show yesterday.

I spent yesterday at the trade show and here is my ceramic take on it. The pellet grill market shows no sign of slowing down - more brands, a lot more brands from all sectors. Even Vision Grills debuted a pellet adapter for their ceramic grills. Not many will publicly admit it, but pellet grills have the ceramic companies head scratching and little worried. Simply, you can buy a $600 pellet grill that will do everything an XL Big Green EGG® can do and do it easier & more conveniently. These are two big pluses for 40 something and younger families. Just ask the female head of household or a millennial how they feel about time management, convenience and dealing with fire. The only real area a pellet grill falls short is a high temp searing cook - enter the gas guys. 

Looking back, 2016-17 was an aha moment for ceramics. Changes in growth, competition and market branding were varied among manufacturers. Fast forward to 2018 and the underlining mindset in ceramics is “gotta catch up with the Jones.”  Kamado Joe displayed their new porta pizza attachment and bigger grill. Saffire has a new segmented firebox. Pit Boss has a new blue color. Grill Dome has a new grill. Vision has the pellet adapter. Primo is starting an aggressive marketing program with the kamado round.  And, you know the EGG announcements.  

Another noteworthy point is not much talk about price increases. Primo did a small increase last month but no one else is talking increases. Show talk included incentives, except EGG. You can still get a big box unit for $599-$699. For traditional retailers, I’ll be curious to see what unfolds given the competitive nature vs. market share of some companies.  

One last thought about the show.  I made it early on the first day. One thing that became apparent fast, it was very easy to see who was actively looking for new business. Might be a tell on who is still around in a couple of years.

With regards to the events surrounding Ceramic Grill Store products, we’ll need some time to think and visit with our patent attorney. With Ceramic Grill Store, we’ve always tried to take the high road and use our abilities, time and investment to improve the ceramic experience which includes Big Green EGG. Initially, we never actively sought out this opportunity. Ironically, it was early events with Big Green EGG and customer demand that moved us on our CGS path. Last year, we knew EGG was quietly exploring our products. Like many of you have stated, we too never thought they would blatantly copy it. Now I guess just like the ceramic companies, we’ll do some head scratching and figure out what road to take from here: high, middle or……...

 

Thanks,

Tom, Terri and Ceramic Grill Store Staff

bo31210

Best of luck Tom and thanks for all you have done for the end users of the ceramic industry.   

Miked125

Good luck, I have the AR with spider, simply fantastic product and customer service.

Hoosier_Smoker

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery unless it affects your bottom line.  No room for thieves in this or any other industry.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Je Suis CGS!

Give Em Hell, Tom. I'm with you. 

buzd504

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Je Suis CGS!

Give Em Hell, Tom. I'm with you. 

+1.

Love my AR, and the service from your store is top notch.

joshtahan

Kamado Joe is ripping off Pizza Porta?

Ozzie_Isaac

In before BGE sinks this thread.  Was hoping your post was leading up to: "We partnered with or sold our IP to BGE".  Doesn't look like that is the case.

I love your products, service, and innovation.  Hopefully you will continue to lead the market.

lousubcap

Another in your camp.  Hopefully you have enough legal ammunition to hammer BGE- You beat 'em with the concepts, design and innovation.  Now regrettably,  the frigging lawyers get their shot.  

Smokin Jeff

I've outfitted 2 larges and a small with your equipment and will always recommend CGS

SoCalTim

@tjv  You are a class act, one thing about BGE, they absolutely wouldn't hesitate at sueing someone who used one of their logo's and from what I've read here is they have actually given a cease and desist on a member here. 

Killit_and_Grillit

Well...$hit just got interesting.

I think I’ll shut the office down, put some ribs on my CGS setup, pour a drink, and watch this unfold. 

Hungry Joe

One good thing is you make stuff that will fit in any cooker I would buy.
Initially when I bought my second egg I made it a second large so I could use the Adjustable Rig or Woo in which ever egg needed it. In the end I ended up buy two of everything from the CGS and saved myself nothing on accessories because I found there were times I needed the same setup in both eggs.

I could have made due using one or the other and have only one of each setup but I liked the simplicity and consistency of TJV's stuff and I stick to what I know works.

bgebrent

+1 on your side Tom.  Good luck.

blasting

I've got several of your products, and you can consider me a strong supporter.

on a lighter note... I suspect this will be the Friday night thread if it survives that long.

Griffin

Another supporter Tom. Got stuff from you for both my large and my mini. Wouldn't hesitate to buy from you again if I needed anything and always recommend your products to new ceramic owners.

RRP

Give'm both barrels, Tom!

JRWhitee

Both my eggs have your products, I love them. I am with you. Good luck.

JohnInCarolina

GrillSgt

Good luck to you. 

tenpenny_05

tjv said:

Simply, you can buy a $600 pellet grill that will do everything an XL Big Green EGG® can do and do it easier & more conveniently. 

I've said way less polarizing things here and I was ran out of town by a mob of angry pitch fork yielding old guys... You have brass CGS...

Seriously though, I own a few benjamins worth of your product and its great. It sucks to see things like this happen.

ColtsFan

Strong CGS supporter here.

mEGG_My_Day

I'm another very happy customer of CGS products.  Both my LBGE and SBGE are outfitted with your products.  Wishing you all the best!!

caliking

I wonder what their plan is for copying your above-and-beyond-level of service??

More than once, it’s been said on the forum “call Tom. He’ll set you up without trying to up-sell anything.” I’m hoping that your attention to the customer and your great products will put you up on top of all this. 

milesvdustin

Damn. I am about to purchase stuff for my second egg and they will be cgs products for sure. 

Cashfan

caliking said:

I wonder what their plan is for copying your above-and-beyond-level of service??

More than once, it’s been said on the forum “call Tom. He’ll set you up without trying to up-sell anything.” I’m hoping that your attention to the customer and your great products will put you up on top of all this.  

That's what I did, called and spoke with Tom about his products, how I cook and what would work for me and my setup. He cleared up a lot of questions I had, and I then spent a few hundred the next few weeks on woks, stones, and some other stuff for my Mini Max. If I need anything else, I will go the CGS first.

Great products, service and great people to support!!

mlc2013

 I’m new to the community and put a complete CGS set up on my xl and I’m currently in the market for CGS set up for my large and minimax Tom has been very helpful and I couldn’t see myself buying from anyone else best of luck hope it all works out 

SoCalSooner

Love my AR. Never leaves my egg. Strong CGS supporter. Will continue to shop and support all things CGS. 

Spillin

You have my vote.  Keep up the great work!!

johnnyp

Tom, thanks for the write up. I’m a happy owner of several of your products. 

I wish you, your family and your business all the best. 

kingsmoke

I have been doing my homework on which new accessory would be most useful to me. I will most definitely buy from the Ceramic Grill Store