Legume said:

I think focusing on just the red and giving up on the black has really allowed them to move their product forward. laser focus baby, that's what it takes in today's market.  I'm almost excited enough to tie my dog's leash to my XL and start throwing tennis balls.

Too bad the red is so ugly on a grill like this. Everytime I see one, it reminds me of a Herpes outbreak. Maybe if it was smooth...

I've had both and the KJ is a very good grill.  Bought a Challenger table for a KJ Classic and found out after I bought the grill the hole wasn't big enough even though Challenger folks said it would fit.  Sold my KJ and bought a BGE 18" and it fits.  Cooked several times on the KJ sitting the stand and really like their cooking grill arrangement and the way it cooks.  BGE is sitting on their laurels and need to take notice as their huge market share is going to shrink.  

my next kamado will be a Joe Jr.  The necessary 'accessories' with the BGE are a little absurd.

BGE's lack of concern about innovation or competition has me convinced that the current owners are content to milk this cow for another few years and then sell the business.

In addition to KJ's push to innovation, I really like their focus on practicality and value. Here's an example of what looks like a new table from KJ that is useful, but not made from exotic wood and not priced for the top end of the market:

(image taken from: http://kamadojoegrillingpassion.blogspot.ca/2017/02/check-out-2017-kamado-joe-changes.html)

KJ is impressing me with the innovations... but I am unable to get past that red (personal pref).  Bring back the black and I'd give it some serious thought.

SkySaw said:

pgprescott said:

PlanSB said:

my next kamado will be a Joe Jr.  The necessary 'accessories' with the BGE are a little absurd.

I see it as choice. Everything is ala carte, therefore you buy only what you want or need. Usually the former!

Except that everyone who buys a ceramic grill wants to cook indirect with it, make the most use of its limited space, and would use multizone cooking options if they were available. Is there a single person on this forum who does not cook indirect on their BGE? That's why PlanSB refers to the accessories as necessary.

There are several options for indirect. Not just one option, The KJ list price is now higher than what we sell the BGE with a PS, ashtool, mates, grid lifter, pizza stone, and nest. Just saying.

pgprescott said:

SkySaw said:

pgprescott said:

PlanSB said:

my next kamado will be a Joe Jr.  The necessary 'accessories' with the BGE are a little absurd.

I see it as choice. Everything is ala carte, therefore you buy only what you want or need. Usually the former!

Except that everyone who buys a ceramic grill wants to cook indirect with it, make the most use of its limited space, and would use multizone cooking options if they were available. Is there a single person on this forum who does not cook indirect on their BGE? That's why PlanSB refers to the accessories as necessary.

There are several options for indirect. Not just one option, The KJ list price is now higher than what we sell the BGE with a PS, ashtool, mates, grid lifter, pizza stone, and nest. Just saying.

Having options were a key for me in choosing the egg over KJ.  I've spent more in the long run over what I would have spent on the KJ, but I have exactly what I want.  Also, the screen door on the bottom vent and higher dome are big plusses for the egg over KJ.

johnkitchens said:

SkySaw said:

BGE's lack of concern about innovation or competition has me convinced that the current owners are content to milk this cow for another few years and then sell the business.

In addition to KJ's push to innovation, I really like their focus on practicality and value. Here's an example of what looks like a new table from KJ that is useful, but not made from exotic wood and not priced for the top end of the market:

(image taken from: http://kamadojoegrillingpassion.blogspot.ca/2017/02/check-out-2017-kamado-joe-changes.html)

That is an ugly ass setup. I am sorry, but I don't like it. 

It's a prototype. I won't hold that against them. Surely they will improve the aesthetics.

Biggreenpharmacist said:

johnkitchens said:

SkySaw said:

BGE's lack of concern about innovation or competition has me convinced that the current owners are content to milk this cow for another few years and then sell the business.

In addition to KJ's push to innovation, I really like their focus on practicality and value. Here's an example of what looks like a new table from KJ that is useful, but not made from exotic wood and not priced for the top end of the market:

(image taken from: http://kamadojoegrillingpassion.blogspot.ca/2017/02/check-out-2017-kamado-joe-changes.html)

That is an ugly ass setup. I am sorry, but I don't like it. 

I thought it was a bad photoshop joke. 

It's actually just a 3d printed plastic model. Not even the latest iteration if I remember correctly.

I will hold my judgement on the looks of it then until they have a finished product. 

Legume said:

That prototype would look awesome with an electric motor and a senior citizen driving it up and down the aisles in Walmart

Thanks for posting my thoughts ...

These are the guys that designed and build the new hinge for KJ.

http://www.vectiscounterbalance.com/kamadoe-joe-success/

The engineering is nice, but seems to be an expensive solution for a problem I don't have.  I am not aware of an application that benefits from the dome of a Kamado being left partially open.

HeavyG said:

CincyTiki said:

These are the guys that designed and build the new hinge for KJ.

http://www.vectiscounterbalance.com/kamadoe-joe-success/

The engineering is nice, but seems to be an expensive solution for a problem I don't have.  I am not aware of an application that benefits from the dome of a Kamado being left partially open.

I lost my grip once lowering a dome and it slammed down hard. Fortunately nothing seemed to break. A counterbalanced hinge eliminates that possibility.

Given the new hinge, vent top and firebox the price increase seems pretty reasonable to me.

These items are window dressing. Cool yes,maybe, but they do absolutely nothing to increase the functionality of the product. They do cost more money though. I'm fine with the extra cost, but am surprised others are. It's always a balancing act. 

pgprescott said:

HeavyG said:

CincyTiki said:

These are the guys that designed and build the new hinge for KJ.

http://www.vectiscounterbalance.com/kamadoe-joe-success/

The engineering is nice, but seems to be an expensive solution for a problem I don't have.  I am not aware of an application that benefits from the dome of a Kamado being left partially open.

I lost my grip once lowering a dome and it slammed down hard. Fortunately nothing seemed to break. A counterbalanced hinge eliminates that possibility.

Given the new hinge, vent top and firebox the price increase seems pretty reasonable to me.

These items are window dressing. Cool yes,maybe, but they do absolutely nothing to increase the functionality of the product. They do cost more money though. I'm fine with the extra cost, but am surprised others are. It's always a balancing act. 

Some people still like manual crank car windows. Some like electric windows. 

Form and function (and value) are always in the eye of the beholder.

Time for a blind taste test