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Rad5
Posts: 35
Hello. I am upgrading my old
propane smoker and I was thinking of getting a Kamado style grill. I like the
idea of having a smoker, grill, and oven. Besides making BBQ, love making
pizzas, roasts, grilling meats and vegetables. Getting a Kamado seems like a
great fit. I have done some research on line and I see there are 2 very
popular brands. I’m trying to decide…a Big Green Egg or a Kamado Joe? Please
tell me why the BGE is a better choice. I have never owned a ceramic grill so any advice would be appreciated.
Orlando, FL
Comments
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I cannot speak to a KJ, but they both a similar in quality. BGE has been around a long time and has dealers all over, which helps with warranty issues. If you can find/purchase a demo egg from one of the many egg fests going on this time of year you'll save yourself $300ish easy and still have the warranty. Where do you live?
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They are both great honestly. I don't buy stock in bashing other products that for all intents and purposes perform similarly.
But BGE warranty is great and so is the community. Eggfests are fun and the people are even better. -
I live in Orlando, FL. One of the local dealers is offering pre buy demos form the Central FL Eggfest, however that isn't until November. The price isn't much better than new at my local Ace HardwareOrlando, FL
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Check out your BGE dealer and your Kamado Joe dealer. Go with the one you like better.
They are comparable grills. The BGE community, however, is heads and tails better.They don’t want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They don’t want well informed, well educated people capable of critical thinking. They’re not interested in that. That doesn’t help them. That's against their interests. - George Carlin -
I'm in Central Fl also. Check with Wassi Meats in Melbourne. I got my XL from them at an Egg Fest. They sponsor Egg Fest and may be able to do you a better deal then Ace. As far as BGE, the warranty is what sold me. And this community is so helpful.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to the Swamp.....GO GATORS!!!! -
KJ forum will not have a recipe for bourbon slushies
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Your dollars - your decision - but since you asked you might want to check the KJ forum for the support, cooking fests, warranty in detail, dealer network, and then for kicks and giggles look at which company has been around longer. That MAY swing you to green, but if not I wish you happy cooking on whatever ceramic you end up with. One last thought - saving $100 up front isn't always a savings in the long run. Color me green for 16 years now with 4 BGEs, so yes I drank the Kool-Aide because I believe in the product.
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I personally went for one that has been around longer. The BGE intrigued me more and for me personally and my mindset the KJ was a knockoff of the BGE. I went with what I liked and I loved the Green color more, and this community came leaps and bounds compare to my questions about a KJ.
Either way you will learn eventually whichever way you go and you will still love it. Just go with your gut and not your wallet.XLBGE, MMBGE, CyberQ -
I'm an old guy, and this is probably just silly, but I feel a certain loyalty to the "original." Sure, people have been cooking in kamados for a very long time, but I think it's true that the Big Green Egg guy was the first to take what had been an ancient rice cooker and reinvent it with modern ceramics that are very much better adapted to what people now use kamado cookers for than the old terra cotta style, and came up with some things that led to what has become sort of a revolution in home charcoal cooking. Other people have gotten into the act, now, but unless there's a really huge reason to prefer one over another, I like sticking with the one that seems to me, anyway, to have reinvented the kamado, brought it into the modern age. I love my Big Green Eggs (I have a Medium and a Large), and if I add any more, they'll be green!
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Community of BGE is better. Dealer right by me. That's why I went with them.
Kansas City, Missouri
Large Egg
Mini Egg
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" - Gandalf -
Guys who own KJ's wear Jorts with Crocs.
I kid. Both very similar. Lots of guys on here are switch hitters...and own both brands. You can't go wrong but you may feel a little on the outside if you get in to all the eggfest etc. I wouldn't make a decision based on that but they are a riot and I highly recommend you get involved in the greater BGE community no matter which you choose.
I think in this case your local dealer might be the deal breaker. Since these have a lifetime warranty, having a good dealer is a relationship that matters and will matter for years to come.Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX -
Its all about price point as well.....I bought my BGE from my fathers neighbor a few days ago and LOVE IT for small cooks (easy to start and shutdown)....the ONLY issue i have found with the BGE cooker is cook area....you don't get that much...same with the Komodo Joe...I guess it really boils down to what you need.....Have:
XLBGE / Stumps Baby XL / Couple of Stokers (Gen 1 and Gen 3) / Blackstone 36 / Maxey 3x5 water pan hog cooker
Had:
LBGE / Lang 60D / Cookshack SM150 / Stumps Stretch / Stumps Baby
Fat Willies BBQ
Ola, Ga -
Warranty and supportColumbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
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Thanks everyone. I do feel there is a bigger green community and I like that. I was on the KJ forum and there was a lot less activity. There is a local dealer that carries both grills and I will check them out, however I feel my mind is already made up.Orlando, FL
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Wassis just had their eggfest this past Saturday. I would call to see if they had any specials they could honor.
Who is hosting the one in November? -
Orlando, FL
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@Rad5, If you are coming from a large grill you will probably want the XL. I went from a gas grill and Weber Smokey Mountain to an XL and love it. I still have the WMS for when I need more space and am doing shorter cooks like ribs sometimes. I look at the Kamado Joe, the Primo and the BGE and got the best deal from my dealer who is about 4 miles away and treats you like family when you come in. They all are good, but as others have said I feel the BGE community is better, helps you out and is a lot more fun. Good luck and either way you can still ask for advice here.
XL, WSM, Coleman Road Trip Gas GrillKansas City, Mo. -
Rad5 said:I live in Orlando, FL. One of the local dealers is offering pre buy demos form the Central FL Eggfest, however that isn't until November. The price isn't much better than new at my local Ace Hardware
I went from a Weber gas to BGE 9 years ago and have never looked back..... 100% satisfied with BGE. You can get a great deal on a new one at the Georgia Mountain Eggfest next month. It's an awesome fest and worth the drive.
I'm only hungry when I'm awake!
Okeechobee FL. Winter
West Jefferson NC Summer
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theyolksonyou said:KJ forum will not have a recipe for bourbon slushiesEllijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax
Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
Run me out in the cold rain and snow -
As everyone will tell you it's a personal choice. Is it the best out there? NO! You want the Cadillac then you should be looking at the kamado kamodo. Is the egg the best at everything? NO again. It is a wonderful ALL Around cooker that most will be thrilled with. Does it smoke better then my meat monster? Not even close. Does it do better at pizza then a brick oven. Nope again. But unless you want to spen the money I still think for value it is the best cooker someone can buy for a all around cooker all in one.1 XXL BGE, 1 LG BGE, 2 MED. BGE, 1 MINI BGE, 1 Peoria custom cooker Meat Monster.Clinton, Iowa
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i own both and believe you will be happy with either. buy whichever one tickles your fancy and not your wallet
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I have both a komado joe and big green egg, I really like both and you can't really go wrong. I find the Joe comes with a lot of great accessories,
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Rad5 said:I live in Orlando, FL. One of the local dealers is offering pre buy demos form the Central FL Eggfest, however that isn't until November. The price isn't much better than new at my local Ace Hardware
Narcoossee, FL
LBGE, Nest, Mates, Plate Setter, Ash Tool. I'm a simple guy. -
I cook on KJs and have no regrets with my decision.Augusta, GA
#BGETEAMGREEN member
MiniMax, Large, XL BGE
Featured on Man Fire Food Season 7 -
A little more on Miller's hardware and no, my last name isn't Miller. They have been there for 71 years. They are a very large BGE dealer and stand behind everything they sell. They have lots of accessories and a full line of lodge cast iron. They normally offer a large package which includes LBGE, nest, plate setter, and a large bag of bge lump for $949. They have been running a $50 dollar off coupon for a while which means $899. They also sell 4Rivers rubs and sauces along with others. Check them out.Narcoossee, FL
LBGE, Nest, Mates, Plate Setter, Ash Tool. I'm a simple guy. -
I have both and they are equally good. KJ does come with more accessories to start. Ultimately, I would go with the dealer you like the best. You can still be part of this community if your cooker is a different color. People won't shun you...too much.Large BGE & mini stepchild & a KJ Jr.The damp PNW
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NonaScott said:A little more on Miller's hardware and no, my last name isn't Miller. They have been there for 71 years. They are a very large BGE dealer and stand behind everything they sell. They have lots of accessories and a full line of lodge cast iron. They normally offer a large package which includes LBGE, nest, plate setter, and a large bag of bge lump for $949. They have been running a $50 dollar off coupon for a while which means $899. They also sell 4Rivers rubs and sauces along with others. Check them out.
I visit Millers quite often. They would be my dealer of choice. I love supporting local small family owned businesses.Orlando, FL -
Today I checked out a KJ at an area Ace Hardware and those grills aren't for me. I feel as if they are a knock off of the BGE. I am sure they are great, but they weren't calling my name like the BGE does. Also, I wasn't very fond of the color, they looked more orange than red. I have a nice patio and I think that thing would stick out like a traffic cone. This forum has been great and I really enjoy the following the BGE has compared to the KJ site. My mind is made up. Green is for me!
Orlando, FL -
And you won't get "pants" at a BGE event.
Flint, Michigan -
If you do, it's because someone had too many bourbon slushies and fell and grabbed onto you for help.
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