finally ready to get another grill: is bge still the go-to?

FanOfFanboys

I had a large and a mini bge, though I did not use the mini much, but a divorce has left me without one for last several years. loved the large and pretty sure a large bge is the route I am going to go down

but there are way more options on the market now. is the bge still the route to go?

vision, kamado joe, Louisiana grill, pit boss, cal flame, hanover, and I am sure several others

basically, is there any reason not to get the BGE? I assume not but just double checking

Foghorn

With its warranty, versatility, and community, I can't think of anything better than an egg.

FanOfFanboys

Foghorn said:

With its warranty, versatility, and community, I can't think of anything better than an egg.

warranty is what I was thinking would be their edge and why I am sure that is the route I would go again

versatility I could probably also get from other kamados, I can be apart of the community without a bge

distanceman

I researched until I was sick of researching, and then researched another few months. I think you’re really looking at 3 main players: BGE, Primo and KJ. 

I went BGE because I wanted to support the local dealer(s) and value shopping local. I also really liked the Ceramic Grill Store and went with a Woo & Halfmoon plates. 

My second choice is Primo, because they’re USA made and it’s a cool design. Something about Made in America for such an American pass time. I saw a cool YouTube video on the plant in Tucker GA. 

Lastly, KJ. I personally think they’re way too overstretched right now with new products. Too many irons in the fire and I think they’re losing focus trying to take down BGE. I follow their FB page, and I think it’s pretty apparent their Customer Service is pretty spotty...some amazing testimonies but a lot of poor experiences. But really I have a personal beef with the company and CEO...so at one point I was an avid KJ supporter, but now I’ll never buy or recommend them again. 

Good luck! 

cookingdude555

I would stick with BGE or kamado joe. I’ve had good luck with my eggs. The Weber 26” is also hard to beat if you want to save some money over a kamado for now. 

FanOfFanboys

cookingdude555 said:

I would stick with BGE or kamado joe. I’ve had good luck with my eggs. The Weber 26” is also hard to beat if you want to save some money over a kamado for now. 

weber is what I have been using the last few years. life is pretty settled now, divorce final for 2 years, and I am ready to step back up again ha 

Jupiter Jim

Yes BGE...………………….

FanOfFanboys

I just checked BGE's site and unfortunately, there are not any eggfests the rest of 2018 near me

JohnnyTarheel

Hands down BGE

northGAcock

I hear the he small doesn’t get any love. 

FanOfFanboys

it looks like there is an eggfest Oct 13th at stone mountain, ga

for some reason it is not listed on bge's site

how much cheaper are they are eggfests? couple hundred or like $50?

RRP

BGE fan until I die. But at age 74 now maybe my position further down this conveyor belt of life means my days here are shorter than yours so you need to decide for yourself! 

DoubleEgger

I heard Georgia Spa was running a deal on a large package for $789 if you happen to be close to metro Atlanta. 

epcotisbest

$399 and free shipping at Sam's. Hope this doesn't get me banned.

WeberWho

I honestly don't think you can best this for the price. I'd jump on it without thinking twice:

jamesj

Your question was, is there any reason not to go BGE, the answer is no.
What you need to decide is if your going to get the woo thing and use their platesetter or get the BGE one and go the factory route. 

HeavyG

I'll throw the Weber Summit Charcoal into the mix just becuz.

SmokeyPitt

WeberWho said:

I honestly don't think you can best this for the price. I'd jump on it without thinking twice:

If that is the new version with the improved hinge  and divide and conquer I would jump on it as well. 

I would pick the KJ over the egg for the same price. Really nice hinge and gasket, plus all the extras to do indirect and raises direct are included. 

Jeremiah

Been waiting three months for my warranty claim on my base, firebox and ring. Yeah, not so impressed with the famous BGE warranty here. 

GoooDawgs

How in the world did you lose your egg in the divorce?!  That's the real question here...  

And BGE for life over here.

RichH

FanOfFanboys said:

it looks like there is an eggfest Oct 13th at stone mountain, ga

for some reason it is not listed on bge's site

how much cheaper are they are eggfests? couple hundred or like $50?

They usually sell the Large BGE's used at the fest for around $795. I think it includes the egg, platesetter, nest, grid gripper and a bag of lump.

CornfedMA

I would base your decision on the dealers in your area. I love my eggs, but your investment is only as good as your dealer. I live in the middle of a BGE dealer wasteland. I went to the “good” dealer recently, for a replacement platesetter and he looked at me like I had an arm growing out of my ass when I told him what I was looking to purchase. After a little back and forth with him typing on his computer, he turns the monitor around and says “hey look, you can buy one of those on Amazon.” I shook my head, thanked him and left. I’ve since found another that seems to be pretty good, but they’re an hour away and I pass 2 other dealers to get there. 

FanOfFanboys

WeberWho said:

I honestly don't think you can best this for the price. I'd jump on it without thinking twice:

well, that might be hard to pass on

hmm

FanOfFanboys

after looking it appears it is the classic I, and not the classic 2 with all the upgrades

tenpenny_05

Man I can't say a single bad thing about my kamado Joe. They replaced my wooden side tables and handles with the new black ones no questions asked. Fire box developed a crack, so i sent them a picture thinking it would take a while to actually get one, I had the new petal style on my porch by the end of the week.
Pretty much all large egg accessories work in the classic size. Plus the newest models have a really nice hinge, gasket and the divide and conquer system. I rock the woo from the CGS, but the stock system looks pretty good!

FanOfFanboys

tenpenny_05 said:

Man I can't say a single bad thing about my kamado Joe. They replaced my wooden side tables and handles with the new black ones no questions asked. Fire box developed a crack, so i sent them a picture thinking it would take a while to actually get one, I had the new petal style on my porch by the end of the week.
Pretty much all large egg accessories work in the classic size. Plus the newest models have a really nice hinge, gasket and the divide and conquer system. I rock the woo from the CGS, but the stock system looks pretty good!

so you have the classic 1? that is what the deal for $700 is, not the two. 

tenpenny_05

Yea I have the classic. It's the same size as the classic 2, just less bells and whistles. Mine is almost identical to a large egg.

Matt86m

GoooDawgs said:

How in the world did you lose your egg in the divorce?!  That's the real question here...  

And BGE for life over here.

'Cause bitches be crazy! 

FanOfFanboys

Matt86m said:

GoooDawgs said:

How in the world did you lose your egg in the divorce?!  That's the real question here...  

And BGE for life over here.

'Cause bitches be crazy! 

this is accurate

booksw

Jeremiah said:

Been waiting three months for my warranty claim on my base, firebox and ring. Yeah, not so impressed with the famous BGE warranty here. 

That happened to me the first time I made a warranty claim and it turned out it was the fault of the dealer I was using rather than BGE itself- I ended up contacting BGE about it, they put me in touch with another dealer that is further away from me but much more customer focused.  Now when I have an issue, the dealer replaces whatever the piece is the day I ask for it, and he deals with BGE to get it approved after-the-fact.  EASY.

FanOfFanboys

tenpenny_05 said:

Yea I have the classic. It's the same size as the classic 2, just less bells and whistles. Mine is almost identical to a large egg.

Hmm now I'm back on this as an option

$700 is a great value. I can upgrade gasket, get woo (which I would with BGE), still be ahead dollar wise