review - BGE vs. KJ - Which indirect setup is the best? I tested them

brentm

@stlcharcoal - how has one manufacturer been over the other to work with from a dealer's perspective?

stlcharcoal

brentm said:

@stlcharcoal - how has one manufacturer been over the other to work with from a dealer's perspective?

Night and day!  But to be fair, there was a distributor in the middle on the "night" side.

milesvdustin

So there is no difference when cost is considered? 

I didnt watch the YouTube, I never watch the videos. Typically too long to get to the verdict 

cookingdude555

My fully equipped XL cost less than a KJ classic 2 and it has a much better indirect experience being twice as large. I much enjoy using my XL over my classic KJ. 

unoriginalusername

milesvdustin said:

So there is no difference when cost is considered? 

I didnt watch the YouTube, I never watch the videos. Typically too long to get to the verdict 

I don’t have scientific test equipment but the punchline is IF you are going to buy an Egg, a cart, shelves, tools, reggulator with rain cap, charcoal basket and divider, eggspander and half moons etc the series three ends up being a better value in my neck of the woods.. plus it comes with a better gasket, hinge, ash pan and SloRoller etc. 

I’ve waited months at times to get replacement parts (firebox and fire ring) and I think the multi piece design of the KJ seems less apt to cracking and potentially avoids this non mission critical frustration. 

The series 3 KJ is 4” taller and it makes good use of that space. You get a three tier divide and conquer rack instead of 2 and you get the SloRoller which has made smoke rings a breeze. Since it radiates heat it seems like the grid is more consistent and you have access to all 18” of the grid without any spots to avoid for fear of burning. 

I’ve bought 4 eggs in the last decade+, my last grill purchase is a classic 3... having used both i found a noticeable difference. 

milesvdustin

Gotcha, I just use the large and ceramic grill store accessories 

cookingdude555

Another good comparison video here. He runs a ceramic quality test among all the popular ceramic competitors at the end. 

https://youtu.be/mxjh43Pyr0s

caliking

brentm said:

...
I'd also be interested in a projectfarm-type video on the thermal differences in the ceramic.   Perhaps the heat decay from both units at the same temperature.  Performance testing like this would probably require two brand new units.

Are you serious? I can’t imagine caring that much about the difference between BGE vs KJ. 

stlcharcoal

cookingdude555 said:

My fully equipped XL cost less than a KJ classic 2 and it has a much better indirect experience being twice as large. I much enjoy using my XL over my classic KJ. 

Lot of places would sell that XL cheaper than a classic 2 at MSRP......but those same places would also be selling the classic 2 for well under retail.  Bout $300-350 less in my book.

Legume

Are the KJ kitchen knives any good?

stlcharcoal

cookingdude555 said:

Another good comparison video here. He runs a ceramic quality test among all the popular ceramic competitors at the end. 

https://youtu.be/mxjh43Pyr0s

Neat video, but no way are you ever going to get a kamado up to that temp with just a fire just going in the inside.  All that heat radiates to the cooler outside air.  So unless you're going to have it in a kiln, then it's not really a factor.

I think someone made the analogy here, who cares if you put z-rated (149 mph) tires on a vehicle that's mechanically limited to 100 mph?

No one has ever posted a pic of any kamado in the wild that has melted.  Yet we've seen tons of base cracks on BGEs.  Lifetime warranty, so neither phase my feelers on which one has better ceramics.  All are good enough and backed by the manufacturer. 

brentm

caliking said:

brentm said:

...
I'd also be interested in a projectfarm-type video on the thermal differences in the ceramic.   Perhaps the heat decay from both units at the same temperature.  Performance testing like this would probably require two brand new units.

Are you serious? I can’t imagine caring that much about the difference between BGE vs KJ. 

Yeah, if there's some sort of "dyno" test for insulation values of ceramic.  I'd care about that....  I thought BGE spent considerable investment in the technology surrounding the ceramics.  And it seems like an area that a company could cut costs to undercut competition.  So sure..  I'd much prefer data over preferences.  My bias is obviously that BGE outperforms KJ.

But I'd be lying if I didn't say that the KJ in the video didn't satisfy a bunch of wishes I've had with my stock egg in the video.  The ash pan, the bands/hinge, and the chimney cap with the rain guard.  But I'm not in the market for a new cooker and I've adapted.  Doing it all over again with these two side by side, I'm not sure I'd make the same decision, and that bothers me.

stlcharcoal

brentm said:

caliking said:

brentm said:

...
I'd also be interested in a projectfarm-type video on the thermal differences in the ceramic.   Perhaps the heat decay from both units at the same temperature.  Performance testing like this would probably require two brand new units.

Are you serious? I can’t imagine caring that much about the difference between BGE vs KJ. 

Yeah, if there's some sort of "dyno" test for insulation values of ceramic.  I'd care about that....  I thought BGE spent considerable investment in the technology surrounding the ceramics.  And it seems like an area that a company could cut costs to undercut competition.  So sure..  I'd much prefer data over preferences.  My bias is obviously that BGE outperforms KJ.

But I'd be lying if I didn't say that the KJ in the video didn't satisfy a bunch of wishes I've had with my stock egg in the video.  The ash pan, the bands/hinge, and the chimney cap with the rain guard.  But I'm not in the market for a new cooker and I've adapted.  Doing it all over again with these two side by side, I'm not sure I'd make the same decision, and that bothers me.

As much as I dig the new gen 3s, I still have BGEs at home.  Nothing is that earth shattering that I'm going to replace them.  

I will tell you the ceramic on the classics are thicker than the LBGE, and they are heavier.  I dont have the specifics, nor know that much ceramics, but that looks better to me at on the surface.  Next time get some stand alone units I'll put them on the pallet scale.

cookingdude555

stlcharcoal said:

brentm said:

caliking said:

brentm said:

...
I'd also be interested in a projectfarm-type video on the thermal differences in the ceramic.   Perhaps the heat decay from both units at the same temperature.  Performance testing like this would probably require two brand new units.

Are you serious? I can’t imagine caring that much about the difference between BGE vs KJ. 

Yeah, if there's some sort of "dyno" test for insulation values of ceramic.  I'd care about that....  I thought BGE spent considerable investment in the technology surrounding the ceramics.  And it seems like an area that a company could cut costs to undercut competition.  So sure..  I'd much prefer data over preferences.  My bias is obviously that BGE outperforms KJ.

But I'd be lying if I didn't say that the KJ in the video didn't satisfy a bunch of wishes I've had with my stock egg in the video.  The ash pan, the bands/hinge, and the chimney cap with the rain guard.  But I'm not in the market for a new cooker and I've adapted.  Doing it all over again with these two side by side, I'm not sure I'd make the same decision, and that bothers me.

As much as I dig the new gen 3s, I still have BGEs at home.  Nothing is that earth shattering that I'm going to replace them.  

I will tell you the ceramic on the classics are thicker than the LBGE, and they are heavier.  I dont have the specifics, nor know that much ceramics, but that looks better to me at on the surface.  Next time get some stand alone units I'll put them on the pallet scale.

So the fact that the glaze and the kamado joe grill itself melts doesn’t matter, but it being thicker and heavier does? I have noticed my KJ is thicker, but I have also noticed the glaze has weathered much more than my BGEs. Also hate the cart the KJ comes in. I will give them the new ones are much better, but the price puts them out of comparison with the BGE. 

brentm

cookingdude555 said:

So the fact that the glaze and the kamado joe grill itself melts doesn’t matter, but it being thicker and heavier does? I have noticed my KJ is thicker, but I have also noticed the glaze has weathered much more than my BGEs. Also hate the cart the KJ comes in. I will give them the new ones are much better, but the price puts them out of comparison with the BGE. 

Could it be the color?  Red is probably the worst color for anything that spends any time outdoors.  Not a fan of the red either....

I'm not sure what the difference is between "weathered" and "melted"

brentm

stlcharcoal said:

As much as I dig the new gen 3s, I still have BGEs at home.  Nothing is that earth shattering that I'm going to replace them.  

I will tell you the ceramic on the classics are thicker than the LBGE, and they are heavier.  I dont have the specifics, nor know that much ceramics, but that looks better to me at on the surface.  Next time get some stand alone units I'll put them on the pallet scale.

Weight would be a great datapoint... next to the dimensions.  Thickness would be a good indicator of thermal performance (assuming thicker material performs better)..  But there could be technology inside the ceramics that improve performance and decreases shipping weight.  

pgprescott

I’ve always been told that the color of the ceramics is an indication of the quality. Not sure if that’s BS or not, but I heard it from more than one mfg. not sure if the newer kJ have darker interior or they have changed them. 

nolaegghead

So my take-away from all this chatter is that some people/dealers are well informed and contribute factual information and others are hot messes and have diarrhea of the mouth.

See "Tin Men" (movie) or go to any used car lot to experience the latter.

Just an observation based upon surviving many orbits of the sun.

YukonRon

I have an XL BGE, use Rockwood, and the adjustable rig from CGS. There is no way on earth I could be happier with capacity/performance of any other ceramic komodo style cooker.

The comparison was great but for my style of cooking, I have exactly what I had always wanted.

Komodo Joe makes a fine product I am sure, but I am a part of this forum because I got an Egg.

How is the KJ forum working out?

JohnInCarolina

nolaegghead said:

So my take-away from all this chatter is that some people/dealers are well informed and contribute factual information and others are hot messes and have diarrhea of the mouth.

See "Tin Men" (movie) or go to any used car lot to experience the latter.

It’s almost as though a lifetime of pimping lawn darts doesn’t do much to sharpen the mind.

stlcharcoal

cookingdude555 said:

stlcharcoal said:

brentm said:

caliking said:

brentm said:

...
I'd also be interested in a projectfarm-type video on the thermal differences in the ceramic.   Perhaps the heat decay from both units at the same temperature.  Performance testing like this would probably require two brand new units.

Are you serious? I can’t imagine caring that much about the difference between BGE vs KJ. 

Yeah, if there's some sort of "dyno" test for insulation values of ceramic.  I'd care about that....  I thought BGE spent considerable investment in the technology surrounding the ceramics.  And it seems like an area that a company could cut costs to undercut competition.  So sure..  I'd much prefer data over preferences.  My bias is obviously that BGE outperforms KJ.

But I'd be lying if I didn't say that the KJ in the video didn't satisfy a bunch of wishes I've had with my stock egg in the video.  The ash pan, the bands/hinge, and the chimney cap with the rain guard.  But I'm not in the market for a new cooker and I've adapted.  Doing it all over again with these two side by side, I'm not sure I'd make the same decision, and that bothers me.

As much as I dig the new gen 3s, I still have BGEs at home.  Nothing is that earth shattering that I'm going to replace them.  

I will tell you the ceramic on the classics are thicker than the LBGE, and they are heavier.  I dont have the specifics, nor know that much ceramics, but that looks better to me at on the surface.  Next time get some stand alone units I'll put them on the pallet scale.

So the fact that the glaze and the kamado joe grill itself melts doesn’t matter, but it being thicker and heavier does? I have noticed my KJ is thicker, but I have also noticed the glaze has weathered much more than my BGEs. Also hate the cart the KJ comes in. I will give them the new ones are much better, but the price puts them out of comparison with the BGE. 

I didn't see it "melt", I saw the Icon or Vision melt and the KJ deform.  Who knows how long they spent in that kiln and at what temperature......but you better believe they did that more than once.  I have access to 18 kilns and don't have any plans on putting my BGEs or KJs in them.

I'm an aerodynamic engineering guy, so I don't know much about ceramics.......but I know from aviation, that "stronger" is relative and a balance of a lot of factors when it comes to metallurgy.  Cycles vs. limits.  Maybe since the others can withstand that higher temp, they would cycle out and crack sooner?   We've all seen plenty of pics of base cracks on BGEs, so they're not perfect.  I've never seen a deformed or melted KJ outside of that video (under conditions that you CANNOT duplicate with NORMAL use.)  I'm not really worried about either though.  Lifetime warranties for normal use......which does not include putting them in a kiln.

brentm

nolaegghead said:

So my take-away from all this chatter is that some people/dealers are well informed and contribute factual information and others are hot messes and have diarrhea of the mouth.

See "Tin Men" (movie) or go to any used car lot to experience the latter.

Just an observation based upon surviving many orbits of the sun.

Yep, sounds like you've been on the internet. 

cookingdude555

stlcharcoal said:

cookingdude555 said:

stlcharcoal said:

brentm said:

caliking said:

brentm said:

...
I'd also be interested in a projectfarm-type video on the thermal differences in the ceramic.   Perhaps the heat decay from both units at the same temperature.  Performance testing like this would probably require two brand new units.

Are you serious? I can’t imagine caring that much about the difference between BGE vs KJ. 

Yeah, if there's some sort of "dyno" test for insulation values of ceramic.  I'd care about that....  I thought BGE spent considerable investment in the technology surrounding the ceramics.  And it seems like an area that a company could cut costs to undercut competition.  So sure..  I'd much prefer data over preferences.  My bias is obviously that BGE outperforms KJ.

But I'd be lying if I didn't say that the KJ in the video didn't satisfy a bunch of wishes I've had with my stock egg in the video.  The ash pan, the bands/hinge, and the chimney cap with the rain guard.  But I'm not in the market for a new cooker and I've adapted.  Doing it all over again with these two side by side, I'm not sure I'd make the same decision, and that bothers me.

As much as I dig the new gen 3s, I still have BGEs at home.  Nothing is that earth shattering that I'm going to replace them.  

I will tell you the ceramic on the classics are thicker than the LBGE, and they are heavier.  I dont have the specifics, nor know that much ceramics, but that looks better to me at on the surface.  Next time get some stand alone units I'll put them on the pallet scale.

So the fact that the glaze and the kamado joe grill itself melts doesn’t matter, but it being thicker and heavier does? I have noticed my KJ is thicker, but I have also noticed the glaze has weathered much more than my BGEs. Also hate the cart the KJ comes in. I will give them the new ones are much better, but the price puts them out of comparison with the BGE. 

I didn't see it "melt", I saw the Icon or Vision melt and the KJ deform.  Who knows how long they spent in that kiln and at what temperature......but you better believe they did that more than once.  I have access to 18 kilns and don't have any plans on putting my BGEs or KJs in them.

I'm an aerodynamic engineering guy, so I don't know much about ceramics.......but I know from aviation, that "stronger" is relative and a balance of a lot of factors when it comes to metallurgy.  Cycles vs. limits.  Maybe since the others can withstand that higher temp, they would cycle out and crack sooner?   We've all seen plenty of pics of base cracks on BGEs, so they're not perfect.  I've never seen a deformed or melted KJ outside of that video (under conditions that you CANNOT duplicate with NORMAL use.)  I'm not really worried about either though.  Lifetime warranties for normal use......which does not include putting them in a kiln.

Never know dude, maybe one day we will want to cook something inside a mini, that is inside a medium, that is inside a 2XL.  Gotta have that ceramic melting resistance. 

wardo

^^^this I agree with.  Never can be too prepared!

stlcharcoal

cookingdude555 said:

stlcharcoal said:

cookingdude555 said:

stlcharcoal said:

brentm said:

caliking said:

brentm said:

...
I'd also be interested in a projectfarm-type video on the thermal differences in the ceramic.   Perhaps the heat decay from both units at the same temperature.  Performance testing like this would probably require two brand new units.

Are you serious? I can’t imagine caring that much about the difference between BGE vs KJ. 

Yeah, if there's some sort of "dyno" test for insulation values of ceramic.  I'd care about that....  I thought BGE spent considerable investment in the technology surrounding the ceramics.  And it seems like an area that a company could cut costs to undercut competition.  So sure..  I'd much prefer data over preferences.  My bias is obviously that BGE outperforms KJ.

But I'd be lying if I didn't say that the KJ in the video didn't satisfy a bunch of wishes I've had with my stock egg in the video.  The ash pan, the bands/hinge, and the chimney cap with the rain guard.  But I'm not in the market for a new cooker and I've adapted.  Doing it all over again with these two side by side, I'm not sure I'd make the same decision, and that bothers me.

As much as I dig the new gen 3s, I still have BGEs at home.  Nothing is that earth shattering that I'm going to replace them.  

I will tell you the ceramic on the classics are thicker than the LBGE, and they are heavier.  I dont have the specifics, nor know that much ceramics, but that looks better to me at on the surface.  Next time get some stand alone units I'll put them on the pallet scale.

So the fact that the glaze and the kamado joe grill itself melts doesn’t matter, but it being thicker and heavier does? I have noticed my KJ is thicker, but I have also noticed the glaze has weathered much more than my BGEs. Also hate the cart the KJ comes in. I will give them the new ones are much better, but the price puts them out of comparison with the BGE. 

I didn't see it "melt", I saw the Icon or Vision melt and the KJ deform.  Who knows how long they spent in that kiln and at what temperature......but you better believe they did that more than once.  I have access to 18 kilns and don't have any plans on putting my BGEs or KJs in them.

I'm an aerodynamic engineering guy, so I don't know much about ceramics.......but I know from aviation, that "stronger" is relative and a balance of a lot of factors when it comes to metallurgy.  Cycles vs. limits.  Maybe since the others can withstand that higher temp, they would cycle out and crack sooner?   We've all seen plenty of pics of base cracks on BGEs, so they're not perfect.  I've never seen a deformed or melted KJ outside of that video (under conditions that you CANNOT duplicate with NORMAL use.)  I'm not really worried about either though.  Lifetime warranties for normal use......which does not include putting them in a kiln.

Never know dude, maybe one day we will want to cook something inside a mini, that is inside a medium, that is inside a 2XL. 

Like a turducken!

johnnyp

I’m a little late to the party, but I’ll offer my two cents for anyone who cares. 

I don’t own a KJ, but have been watching closely and follow a large KJ group on Facebook. Their innovations look great, especially the hinge. Though, they seem to have some major manufacturing issues that pop up a lot.  Im unsure if they solved their temp controller problems, but that launch didn’t go well. Those issues, combined with the selling of the company, gives me pause. 

Canugghead

how about another battle round like this 

unoriginalusername

Canugghead said:

how about another battle round like this 

Toast might be my thing lol