New KJ Firebox Design

VB_egger · January 2017

I have become a big fan of my KJ Classic and Jr. The company has done a great job innovating, offers excellent customer service and warranty.

The divide and conquer system is so versatile and easy to use. I've talked about it here before but I have essentially put all KJ stuff on my egg.. thermometer, gasket, divide and conquer system.

I still enjoy my egg but I started to be slightly discouraged when I learned more about kamado cooking.. KJ offers an excellent product right out of the box for a great price.

I am looking forward to seeing the new gasket in person, I bet it will work great. I am also curious to see their new top as well.

Its surprising BGE has not done any work of their own to improve any of their accessories.

VB_egger · January 2017

Also neither of my KJ's have alignment issues.

stlcharcoal · January 2017

dgaddis1 said:

I've seen BGE and KJ available for sale side by side several times, and sometimes others as well, like Primo. In fact I don't think I've ever seen anywhere that carried BGE and not also KJ. I've only been paying attention for about a year though.

It's lame when manufacturers try and restrict their dealers to only carrying their product. If one of my manufacturers had that requirement I wouldn't carry their stuff, that's for sure.

Then their distributor's rep isn't doing their job, or they're moving than off the floor when the rep comes by to inspect. I know of plenty of those as well, but again, somebody is turning a blind eye.

I agree, but that's the rules if you want to carry them. I believe Harley Davidson says you can't sell any other motorcycles in the same building or dealership. We have a place here in STL that had to open a second motorcycle dealership next door where they sell all the other brands and accessories.

FATC1TY · January 2017

tikigriller said:

When I add a second egg, which will be quite some time, I will be hard pressed not to put some red in the back yard.

I really hope BGE starts to come up with some stuff like this as well. They are going to get left behind if they don't start making some changes to their designs that we all buy things to improve upon.

Keep hoping! BGE is in no hurry to change or upgrade anything.

Ill be adding a KJ black cooker when I move to the arsenal. They are a local company too, so I expect the same service I get from BGE and dealers which is satisfactory.

stlcharcoal · January 2017

FATC1TY said
Keep hoping! BGE is in no hurry to change or upgrade anything.

Ill be adding a KJ black cooker when I move to the arsenal. They are a local company too, so I expect the same service I get from BGE and dealers which is satisfactory.

They change/upgrade the price every year! Hahahhaha.

BTW, I don't think kj makes the black ones anymore. Heard they were just going all red because of the brand identification. Could be wrong on that, but make sense.

VB_egger · January 2017

You can find the black models on Craigslist list.

FATC1TY · January 2017

stlcharcoal said:

dgaddis1 said:

Photo Egg said:

dgaddis1 said:

BGE had seriously better watch out. I've talked to several dealers who recommend the KJ over the Egg, and I know one who dropped BGE because warranty issues were more frequent and a much bigger hassle. If I were buying a grill today I'd go red. Only reason I have an Egg is because it came with the house we bought last year...but after having one, I don't ever want to live without a komodo grill again!!

I bet the KJ dealer that is super happy dealing KJ is not living next to a Costco who runs a KJ Roadshow 3-4 times a year under selling his store prices.
Hard for a dealer to stay in business competing against a KJ Factory sponsored event.
Not saying BGE has been any better letting their product "leak" into Sam's Club all the time.

As someone in retail, I know all too well the pains and frustrations with trying to compete against prices below my costs.

Here in STL they have a dealer within walking distance to Costco. Couple summers ago that dealer had backorders for KJ's, yet they were available at Costco for just a little over their dealer cost. They considered going across the street to buy every single one at the RoadShow just to fulfill their orders, but then mysteriously those orders were cancelled about the same time. Wonder where those customers bought their KJ's? They called to complain and were told that that particular Costco wasn't supposed to be on the list because of the proximity......yet their rep was staffing the booth.

But like someone else said, since BGE won't honor the warranties on the Sams/Costco ones, they go in and buy them back in order to protect their dealers. That's what I would do if my product ever showed up there.

dgaddis1 said:

BGE had seriously better watch out. I've talked to several dealers who recommend the KJ over the Egg, and I know one who dropped BGE because warranty issues were more frequent and a much bigger hassle. If I were buying a grill today I'd go red. Only reason I have an Egg is because it came with the house we bought last year...but after having one, I don't ever want to live without a komodo grill again!!

As a BGE dealer, you're not allowed to have any other kamados for sale. There are so many others at better price points and margins, some are seeing the opportunity to jump ship and bring in multiple other brands. You also have to maintain a BUNCH of the eggessories, which not everyone wants to mess with--especially since Smokeware, CGS, and other companies all make better ones now.

BGE bullied my local dealer to stop selling KJ stuff. Everything had to go or they would pull their BGE stuff and support.

I get it, but kind of sucked for them. And it's a rather large outdoor pool/backyard company here in the Atlanta area.

Ozzie_Isaac · January 2017

The BGE is perfect. No need to change anything. To bad the KJs are so terrible they need to keep tweaking.

YukonRon · January 2017

Ozzie_Isaac said:

The BGE is perfect. No need to change anything. To bad the KJs are so terrible they need to keep tweaking.

Uh oh. You had to throw the gloves on the ice.
Getting popcorn ready, brb.

Ozzie_Isaac · January 2017

YukonRon said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

The BGE is perfect. No need to change anything. To bad the KJs are so terrible they need to keep tweaking.

Uh oh. You had to throw the gloves on the ice.
Getting popcorn ready, brb.

Seriously. BGE makes a flawless product. They warranty it 100% and they left enough on the table to support awesome 3rd party suppliers like CGS and SW.

KJ sells chinese copies of not just BGE, but of the innovations made by 3rd party. Glad KJ dropped the black so everyone will know you bought a Commie grill taking jobs from Americans.

nolaegghead · January 2017

Ummm....I like it?

Ozzie_Isaac · January 2017

nolaegghead said:

Ummm....I like it?

Figures hippy. Matches your Che Gaverra t-shirt.

danv23 · January 2017

This is from their site on how to cook brisket. No thanks.

http://www.kamadojoe.com/recipe/smoked-brisket/

nolaegghead · January 2017

Ozzie_Isaac said:

nolaegghead said:

Ummm....I like it?

Figures hippy. Matches your Che Gaverra t-shirt.

Suck it! You anti-hippite!!

Ozzie_Isaac · January 2017

danv23 said:

This is from their site on how to cook brisket. No thanks.

http://www.kamadojoe.com/recipe/smoked-brisket/

Pull when IT reaches 140-150? Must be how Castro liked his brisket.

danv23 · January 2017

Ozzie_Isaac said:

danv23 said:

This is from their site on how to cook brisket. No thanks.

http://www.kamadojoe.com/recipe/smoked-brisket/

Pull when IT reaches 140-150? Must be how Castro liked his brisket.

Not to mention..................................................."Fill the grill with lump charcoal and start a fire in the center and let it burn for about 10 minutes with the cover open,install the diffuser plate on the bottom of the rack so it sets level with the fire ring for about another 10 minutes. Once the stone is warmed thoroughly close the lid and close the bottom vent till its open about 1/8 to 3/16″ and set the top cover open just a sliver, maybe 1/8″ max. and bring it to temp of 170?F watching it closely and adjusting the vents as needed. Once the temp is stable, remove the stone, add smoking wood, and fill a water pan filled beer."

Um, what?

Jeremiah · January 2017

Wish I had the IQ to say sumthing reel smart here. But I will add that in this area several of the BGE stores have either closed or drawn waaay back on egg stuff (as their pool stores first) or in the case of the grill only store he dumped BGE for KJ. He told me personally that BGE came in and made him choose. He hasn't looked back. If I ever get another ceramic grill it'll be a big joe.

Toxarch · January 2017

Photo Egg said:

bigbadben said:

Photo Egg said:

dgaddis1 said:

BGE had seriously better watch out. I've talked to several dealers who recommend the KJ over the Egg, and I know one who dropped BGE because warranty issues were more frequent and a much bigger hassle. If I were buying a grill today I'd go red. Only reason I have an Egg is because it came with the house we bought last year...but after having one, I don't ever want to live without a komodo grill again!!

I bet the KJ dealer that is super happy dealing KJ is not living next to a Costco who runs a KJ Roadshow 3-4 times a year under selling his store prices.
Hard for a dealer to stay in business competing against a KJ Factory sponsored event.
Not saying BGE has been any better letting their product "leak" into Sam's Club all the time.

While I know it sucks for dealers, atleast KJ is open honest and warrenties the grills sold at Costco. BGE just ignores the pallets of grills that magically appear at Sams.

I agree about the BGE and Sam's Club and I knew someone would throw it back at me that's why I put it in my post.

And of course KJ honors the grills sold at Costco...they sponsor the event...that's my exact point...they undercut their own dealers.

Not much different than the discounted eggs sold at all the eggfests and warrantied as new (Some are still in the box). Difference being each eggfest is once a year, but there might be 3 eggfests in one area, held by different dealers.

Ozzie_Isaac · January 2017

Toxarch said:

Photo Egg said:

bigbadben said:

Photo Egg said:

dgaddis1 said:

BGE had seriously better watch out. I've talked to several dealers who recommend the KJ over the Egg, and I know one who dropped BGE because warranty issues were more frequent and a much bigger hassle. If I were buying a grill today I'd go red. Only reason I have an Egg is because it came with the house we bought last year...but after having one, I don't ever want to live without a komodo grill again!!

I bet the KJ dealer that is super happy dealing KJ is not living next to a Costco who runs a KJ Roadshow 3-4 times a year under selling his store prices.
Hard for a dealer to stay in business competing against a KJ Factory sponsored event.
Not saying BGE has been any better letting their product "leak" into Sam's Club all the time.

While I know it sucks for dealers, atleast KJ is open honest and warrenties the grills sold at Costco. BGE just ignores the pallets of grills that magically appear at Sams.

I agree about the BGE and Sam's Club and I knew someone would throw it back at me that's why I put it in my post.

And of course KJ honors the grills sold at Costco...they sponsor the event...that's my exact point...they undercut their own dealers.

Not much different than the discounted eggs sold at all the eggfests and warrantied as new (Some are still in the box). Difference being each eggfest is once a year, but there might be 3 eggfests in one area, held by different dealers.

If you consider KJ a dealer then it is exactly the same thing, and if they limited it to only the eggs cooked on and Costco had a $50 admission for 1 day.

Toxarch · January 2017

DMW said:

td66snrf said:

What type of metal is at the top?

Stainless steel. And that's what has me wondering. I don't think the expansion rate of SS is the same as ceramic. However, the ceramic pieces have room between each section, so it might be OK. However, I don't really see the need for a metal piece on top of the ceramics. Why not just set the fire ring on top of the fire bowl sections without the SS piece?

Apparently there is no more fire ring in the KJ. That's the fire bowl and fire ring all in one.

stlcharcoal · January 2017

That should save them some shipping costs too if one panel breaks or when replacing the whole thing. Does it still come with that little ash tray and built in scooper?

yljkt · January 2017

You mean KJ doesn't offer a handling device at yet another additional charge to make the cart work like it should?

ryantt · January 2017

@yljkt that's funny

pgprescott · January 2017

yljkt said:

You mean KJ doesn't offer a handling device at yet another additional charge to make the cart work like it should?

Their nest / cart sucks

bigbadben · January 2017

pgprescott said:

yljkt said:

You mean KJ doesn't offer a handling device at yet another additional charge to make the cart work like it should?

Their nest / cart sucks

Why do you say that? Mine works fine.

DaveRichardson · January 2017

From KJ Big Cheese-

Had a fun day at the office today showcasing our new product to the staff and Amber, our new employee. They had seen pieces and parts but never the final final production models. We had a few FedExed over for some big meetings we are having over the next few weeks. We ended up comparing a Large BGE (purchased in July) to our new Classic. You just can't compare the two grills. There are 10 significant differences / upgrades

- New patented Top Vent

- Hinge.........you have to feel the difference.

- Thicker, Stronger bands (No Alignment Issues)

- Stainless Steel hardware / Bigger heavier duty hardware

- Commercial Gaskets / Night and day difference

- Flexible Cooking System as Standard. This is huge

- New patented Fire Box

- Patented Pull out Ash Drawer

- Better Side Shelves and handle. KJ is 5X heavier

- Bigger Thermometer

- Better Cart

There is a reason the BGE don't want KJ's sitting next to BGEs on a dealers floor. They don't seem to have a problem with Primo. This is 2017. What other manufacturers try to bully their dealers into only selling their brand? I have said it before. Consumers will pick the winners and losers. It is hard to sell inferior products in today's transparent world.

pgprescott · January 2017

bigbadben said:

pgprescott said:

yljkt said:

You mean KJ doesn't offer a handling device at yet another additional charge to make the cart work like it should?

Their nest / cart sucks

Why do you say that? Mine works fine.

High center of gravity. Does not hug the cooker like the competition ones do. No way to tie the nest to the cooker for mobility. Based upon a failed and discarded prior model of BGE and others.

While you mock the "handler" as a way to make more money, it is a very good solution to a long standing issue for those who move their cooker in and out of a garage or over non smooth surfaces. I'm sure if it sits in one spot it's just fine.

stlcharcoal · January 2017

pgprescott said:

bigbadben said:

pgprescott said:

yljkt said:

You mean KJ doesn't offer a handling device at yet another additional charge to make the cart work like it should?

Their nest / cart sucks

Why do you say that? Mine works fine.

High center of gravity. Does not hug the cooker like the competition ones do. No way to tie the nest to the cooker for mobility. Based upon a failed and discarded prior model of BGE and others.

While you mock the "handler" as a way to make more money, it is a very good solution to a long standing issue for those who move their cooker in and out of a garage or over non smooth surfaces. I'm sure if it sits in one spot it's just fine.

Wasn't the "handler" someone else's creation as an aftermarket upgrade? Then BGE bought it?

pgprescott · January 2017

stlcharcoal said:

pgprescott said:

bigbadben said:

pgprescott said:

yljkt said:

You mean KJ doesn't offer a handling device at yet another additional charge to make the cart work like it should?

Their nest / cart sucks

Why do you say that? Mine works fine.

High center of gravity. Does not hug the cooker like the competition ones do. No way to tie the nest to the cooker for mobility. Based upon a failed and discarded prior model of BGE and others.

While you mock the "handler" as a way to make more money, it is a very good solution to a long standing issue for those who move their cooker in and out of a garage or over non smooth surfaces. I'm sure if it sits in one spot it's just fine.

Wasn't the "handler" someone else's creation as an aftermarket upgrade? Then BGE bought it?

Not sure. It works great though.

texaswig · January 2017

I don't ever see them having a kamado Joe fest. Bge has the brand recognition. Besides I would get so tired of telling everyone " yes it's just like a big green egg"

New KJ Firebox Design

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