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

Legume

epcotisbest said:

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

First of all, if those are 12oz bottles, that is the worlds smallest beer mug.  And it has ice in it.  That’s a red flag.

Second, I’ve cooked on one of these, the temp control is weird, like my Akorn Jr but worse.

And wtf are they doing with those peppers like that?

Jeremiah

booksw said:

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.

This dealer is 40 minutes away, and I’ll pass three even worse dealers to get to this one. Hell I can walk to the first. I’ve heard that the red ones are a email and a drop ship to your door. If that’s true, the dealer system just became blockbuster movie rental. 

Ozzie_Isaac

Legume said:

epcotisbest said:

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

First of all, if those are 12oz bottles, that is the worlds smallest beer mug.  And it has ice in it.  That’s a red flag.

Second, I’ve cooked on one of these, the temp control is weird, like my Akorn Jr but worse.

And wtf are they doing with those peppers like that?

 Not just goofy mugs, but goofy shadows.  Smoke looks fake too.

ryantt

Jeremiah said:

booksw said:

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.

This dealer is 40 minutes away, and I’ll pass three even worse dealers to get to this one. Hell I can walk to the first. I’ve heard that the red ones are a email and a drop ship to your door. If that’s true, the dealer system just became blockbuster movie rental. 

@Jeremiah you simply take a few photos and email in with a brief description and the next thing you know you’ve got a tracking number and parts at your door.  

epcotisbest

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Legume said:

epcotisbest said:

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

First of all, if those are 12oz bottles, that is the worlds smallest beer mug.  And it has ice in it.  That’s a red flag.

Second, I’ve cooked on one of these, the temp control is weird, like my Akorn Jr but worse.

And wtf are they doing with those peppers like that?

 Not just goofy mugs, but goofy shadows.  Smoke looks fake too.

So freaking what? It is a stupid advertising photo. Y'all seem to be missing that it is the size of a BGE large, and $200 off the $599 regular price right now, making it $399 and with this sale, they are including free shipping.
My Vision works great, food comes out just as tasty as what I cook on my medium BGE, and I've had it for fives years now with zero issues.
As for temp control, no issue, it is basic airflow just like in any kamado type grill, If top vent, bottom vent, dome alignment and gaskets are right, there is no problem with temp control.
Again, $399...a bargain. Heck if that is too cheap for you, buy two and set one aside for backup as you seem to be convinced it won't last because of a photo.
Or, take a photo of a BGE and the money you saved with one of these, tape it to the Vision and look at the photo occasionally. That will make the Vision cook just as good as the egg, just like a photograph the Vision makes it not worth considering.
I don't care either way, just offering a suggestion to OP.

Legume

@epcotisbest I really hate that I may have been the cause of you not having a great Monday morning, but please, loosen those suspenders a little bit.  Just having a little fun with that pic, yes, just a silly advertisement photo.

I have a friend that bought one of those recently and I’ve cooked on it a few times.  Yes, it’s basic airflow management as with other kamado-style cookers, but the tools in this one that do that are wonky to me.  Just my opinion and short experience with it and maybe that’s not important to some, maybe it is.  All just info for the OP.  Certainly not trying to criticize any decisions you’ve made.  If I was used to a BGE, I wouldn’t like this as a primary replacement.  

unoriginalusername

If you has asked a year ago I would have likely been leaning more to KJ based on the "innovation" (CGS copycat) included vs. the Egg and the ability to get deals however over that time a few people I know have got them and the build quality seems to be sacrificing some reliability.

A friend with a big Joe lost the metal ring that holds the new fire ring together after just a few cooks on the new unit, and the gasket fell off within 3 months of being new.  Each issue has a about a 20 response long email thread between them, the dealer and KJ.... doesn't exactly paint the grass being greener story I thought it might have 

tarheelmatt

Just get a Weber kettle.  

FanOfFanboys

tarheelmatt said:

Just get a Weber kettle.  

that is what I have been using the last few years

dstearn

FanOfFanboys said:

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

My divorce situation was a little different. I did not have a BGE at the time, just an extra Weber Genesis which I moved to my apartment where charcoal was not allowed. Had I had a BGE, I would have moved it and stored it until I could have used it in the future. I purchased my BGE XL after my 2nd wife and I had moved into our townhouse. I would go with a BGE.

FanOfFanboys

Well I just might have come across a deal too good to pass up

Stopped by a KJ dealer to look at them in person. Talking to owner and I mentioned the price of the Classic 1 at Ace Hardware. He said he still has a Classic 1 that he used for demo cooks in the back. $550. He said he thinks that comes with warranty but will double check for me. It'll come with stone and rack to raise grate, nest, and shelves. 

FanOfFanboys

so it does come with full warranty. Also nest and shelves, multi level rack for raised cooking, split stone for indirect. For $550 that is just too hard to pass up. 

Jeremiah

FanOfFanboys said:

so it does come with full warranty. Also nest and shelves, multi level rack for raised cooking, split stone for indirect. For $550 that is just too hard to pass up. 

Holy **** buy it. 

epcotisbest

Legume said:

@epcotisbest I really hate that I may have been the cause of you not having a great Monday morning, but please, loosen those suspenders a little bit.  Just having a little fun with that pic, yes, just a silly advertisement photo.

I have a friend that bought one of those recently and I’ve cooked on it a few times.  Yes, it’s basic airflow management as with other kamado-style cookers, but the tools in this one that do that are wonky to me.  Just my opinion and short experience with it and maybe that’s not important to some, maybe it is.  All just info for the OP.  Certainly not trying to criticize any decisions you’ve made.  If I was used to a BGE, I wouldn’t like this as a primary replacement.  

You know, I reread my post, and while trying to imagine the tone as huffy, it does come across as a bit defensive.
I was having a little fun as well, suggesting a photo of money saved would make the Vision cook better. Everyone knows a photo taped to the side of something has no real effect on performance, but I did keep the Corvette Z06 photo taped to the side of the Camry for a couple of weeks before I finally gave up on that. Wife would not go for the Kate Upton photo at all.
All is well and I will try to seem a little looser with my next post!

epcotisbest

FanOfFanboys said:

so it does come with full warranty. Also nest and shelves, multi level rack for raised cooking, split stone for indirect. For $550 that is just too hard to pass up. 

That does seem like a pretty darn good deal for a KJ. Good luck and post some photos when you get it home.

blasting

epcotisbest said:
 Everyone knows a photo taped to the side of something has no real effect on performance, but I did keep the Corvette Z06 photo taped to the side of the Camry for a couple of weeks before I finally gave up on that. Wife would not go for the Kate Upton photo at all.

You were going to tape a Kate Upton photo to your wife?!?  I'd pay money to see you get away with that.  

lousubcap

Better to be lucky than good any day.  Great score right there.  Congrats.  

epcotisbest

blasting said:

epcotisbest said:
 Everyone knows a photo taped to the side of something has no real effect on performance, but I did keep the Corvette Z06 photo taped to the side of the Camry for a couple of weeks before I finally gave up on that. Wife would not go for the Kate Upton photo at all.

You were going to tape a Kate Upton photo to your wife?!?  I'd pay money to see you get away with that.  

Yeah, I would never, ever get away with that. Just bein' silly.

JRWhitee

Jeremiah said:

booksw said:

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.

This dealer is 40 minutes away, and I’ll pass three even worse dealers to get to this one. Hell I can walk to the first. I’ve heard that the red ones are a email and a drop ship to your door. If that’s true, the dealer system just became blockbuster movie rental. 

If you were slumming here in ATL it would have been replaced already...my replacement took 4 days....

epcotisbest

blasting said:

epcotisbest said:
 Everyone knows a photo taped to the side of something has no real effect on performance, but I did keep the Corvette Z06 photo taped to the side of the Camry for a couple of weeks before I finally gave up on that. Wife would not go for the Kate Upton photo at all.

You were going to tape a Kate Upton photo to your wife?!?  I'd pay money to see you get away with that.  

I am incredibly blessed. I would not trade her for two Kate Uptons and a Dagmar Midcap too.

DoubleEgger

JRWhitee said:

Jeremiah said:

booksw said:

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.

This dealer is 40 minutes away, and I’ll pass three even worse dealers to get to this one. Hell I can walk to the first. I’ve heard that the red ones are a email and a drop ship to your door. If that’s true, the dealer system just became blockbuster movie rental. 

If you were slumming here in ATL it would have been replaced already...my replacement took 4 days....

I don’t waste my time with a dealer. I just zip over to the mothership. Five minutes in and out. Great folks over there. 

epcotisbest

DoubleEgger said:

JRWhitee said:

Jeremiah said:

booksw said:

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.

This dealer is 40 minutes away, and I’ll pass three even worse dealers to get to this one. Hell I can walk to the first. I’ve heard that the red ones are a email and a drop ship to your door. If that’s true, the dealer system just became blockbuster movie rental. 

If you were slumming here in ATL it would have been replaced already...my replacement took 4 days....

I don’t waste my time with a dealer. I just zip over to the mothership. Five minutes in and out. Great folks over there. 

I stopped there one time on the way back from the airport and was quite impressed. If I was closer, I would go there often. You ever took any of the classes they offer? Seems like that would be fun.

DoubleEgger

epcotisbest said:

DoubleEgger said:

JRWhitee said:

Jeremiah said:

booksw said:

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.

This dealer is 40 minutes away, and I’ll pass three even worse dealers to get to this one. Hell I can walk to the first. I’ve heard that the red ones are a email and a drop ship to your door. If that’s true, the dealer system just became blockbuster movie rental. 

If you were slumming here in ATL it would have been replaced already...my replacement took 4 days....

I don’t waste my time with a dealer. I just zip over to the mothership. Five minutes in and out. Great folks over there. 

I stopped there one time on the way back from the airport and was quite impressed. If I was closer, I would go there often. You ever took any of the classes they offer? Seems like that would be fun.

I’ve never taken a cooking class so I can’t speak to it.  I assume it’s a good class since BGE puts it on. 

tikigriller

I just went through this recently when deciding to add a second Egg.....bottom line, is even though the KJ was a cool unit, I could tell the ceramics did not feel as high a quality as the Egg, as well as the grate and components.  I liked all the extras on the KJ, but the quality at first touch just felt better on the Egg to me.

lousubcap

@tikigriller- glad you have surfaced.  Hope the hiatus was of choice and not outside influences (or us miscreants here).  

tikigriller

lousubcap said:

@tikigriller- glad you have surfaced.  Hope the hiatus was of choice and not outside influences (or us miscreants here).  

Let’s just say life absolutely got in the way of things for quite a while!

RalphieBoy

BGE. If you go Kamado Joe you will always wished you had BGE. My Small and Large got a hairline crack on the firebox. About 5 years ago on the Large and 2 years ago on my Small. On both I took a picture and emailed my dealer. It took 2 weeks on both. Both new firebox are still unopened. Hairline still works on both. Stick with what you know. BGE.

billt01

FanOfFanboys said:

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

while I do love my egg (and will probably upgrade to the XL in the next few months)..

very few steel cookers are ever in need of warranty work...

www.stumpssmokers.com

TEXASBGE2018

I would say overall The Egg does everything well. Nothing the best but everything well. I'm a purist so I say go with the original. The others may be cheaper but none of them have the knowledgebase that this place has and that counts for a lot. I'm sure once you get back involved you will see that you will want tons of other stuff too. But a Large or XL egg is hard to beat for almost every cooking scenario.

blasting

billt01 said:

very few steel cookers are ever in need of warranty work...

That's next for me.  A quality charcoal grill, such as the offerings by the higher end smoker companies.