Table vs Nest/Handler

Mayberry · June 2019

I've had my large in a cypress table I built for the past 7-8 years. It's done well, and I never really even considered a nest, as I thought they might be top heavy and easily tipped over. Two lab puppies later and my cypress table has been nibbled, chewed and weathered to the point it needs to be replaced. In the meantime, I've picked up a Kamado Joe Jr I want to set somewhere, too, where it's higher up and easier to use. It's a great little grill, and easily transportable. It comes in one of those little wrought iron ring stands that elevates it about a ft off the ground. So, I'm considering either building another table for both, with the KJ Jr being slid into a cutout in the table where it's proper height when in use, and easily slid out when I want to take it with me.
While considering designs, I've also had the thought that a nest for the large, and a small stand alone table may, in fact, be a better solution. When it's blazing hot, or raining, or when I'm doing an overnight cook, I always wheel the table off my deck into my screened in porch. I want it portable and easily moved, but stable. For those that have had both, what are your thoughts: table holding the grills, or Egg Nest (or Handler) and a stand alone table for holding the things I need while grilling?

DoubleEgger · June 2019

I feel that the nest/handler combo and a separate stainless prep table is a better option.

cookingdude555 · June 2019

I never done a table, but all of my eggs are in nests (including the KJ jr). I like the portability and flexibility it gives me. I’m sure tables are great and I’ve seen some amazing stuff posted here. But I feel, for my small backyard, that once I put 2-3 eggs in a table, it’s a permanent structure. Eggs come and go at my house. I have been buying used low and selling high, then using the proceeds to upgrade. So flexibility is key. Here is my setup (first: KJ jr in small nest for reference, I also hated the stand it came in)

Mayberry · June 2019

Wait....so the KJ Jr. will fit in a Small Nest? That might be the ticket. Then, I can just transport to the small ring for taking it with me, which will maybe be 1-2x per year max.

cookingdude555 · June 2019

Mayberry said:

Wait....so the KJ Jr. will fit in a Small Nest? That might be the ticket. Then, I can just transport to the small ring for taking it with me, which will maybe be 1-2x per year max.

The KJ jr is a small egg. They are exactly the same dimensions, except the KJ has better airflow due to the bigger lower vent. That’s a small egg reggulator on top too.

cookingdude555 · June 2019

Mayberry · June 2019

Good to know. That looks really maneuverable. Anyone have a Small nest they are willing to part with for pretty cheap? :-)

Mayberry · June 2019

I went to buy a small nest today and then realized the KJ Jr is 2” shorter than the small Egg. I just don’t know if that’s high enough to use consistently. I wish it would fit in that Minimax stand. That would be perfect. I did move my Large into the nest tonight and, I have to say, I liked it. I think I’ll have a ton more room and maneuverability using it and a stainless steel prep table. Any suggestions on SS tables anywhere from 4-5’ wide?

As a side note, I convinced my wife to convert our rarely used screened porch into an outdoor kitchen today. Ripping out the screens to make it a simple covered deck area and just using it a a grill/smokehouse. I’m excited.

cookingdude555 · June 2019

Mayberry said:

I went to buy a small nest today and then realized the KJ Jr is 2” shorter than the small Egg. I just don’t know if that’s high enough to use consistently. I wish it would fit in that Minimax stand. That would be perfect. I did move my Large into the nest tonight and, I have to say, I liked it. I think I’ll have a ton more room and maneuverability using it and a stainless steel prep table. Any suggestions on SS tables anywhere from 4-5’ wide?

As a side note, I convinced my wife to convert our rarely used screened porch into an outdoor kitchen today. Ripping out the screens to make it a simple covered deck area and just using it a a grill/smokehouse. I’m excited.

You’re right, it is 2” shorter. I wonder how much of that height is in the base vs the dome? I have sold my small egg, but they feel similar in the nest.

Mayberry · June 2019

It's in the base. I measured today. I was measuring height at the felt line.

cookingdude555 · June 2019

Mayberry said:

It's in the base. I measured today. I was measuring height at the felt line.

Good to know. Thanks for checking. I still like the switch much better than the KJ stand. You have me thinking about some big wheels to raise it more!

Tspud1 · June 2019

Mayberry · June 2019

cookingdude555 said:

Mayberry said:

It's in the base. I measured today. I was measuring height at the felt line.

Good to know. Thanks for checking. I still like the switch much better than the KJ stand. You have me thinking about some big wheels to raise it more!

Mayberry said:

It's in the base. I measured today. I was measuring height at the felt line.

I thought about that, but it would need to be raised another 5" or so to be as high as the Lg Egg in a nest. I'm thinking of leaving it in the KJ stand and putting that on a table with casters. Then, putting a nice stainless steel table in between the Lg Egg and KJ Jr.

Mayberry · June 2019

Tspud1 said:

That's nice. Where did you find that?

cookingdude555 · June 2019

Mayberry said:

Tspud1 said:

That's nice. Where did you find that?

I think he made it.

cookingdude555 · June 2019

Mayberry said:

cookingdude555 said:

Mayberry said:

It's in the base. I measured today. I was measuring height at the felt line.

Good to know. Thanks for checking. I still like the switch much better than the KJ stand. You have me thinking about some big wheels to raise it more!

Mayberry said:

It's in the base. I measured today. I was measuring height at the felt line.

I thought about that, but it would need to be raised another 5" or so to be as high as the Lg Egg in a nest. I'm thinking of leaving it in the KJ stand and putting that on a table with casters. Then, putting a nice stainless steel table in between the Lg Egg and KJ Jr.

The next time I take a large or xl apart for a gasket, I may throw the KJ stand in there to see how it fits. Ive seen KJ jr owners throw the kJ jr stand in the cart that either the classic or big joe came in. I can’t remember which one it worked in.

Flatfoot · June 2019

I have a LBGE in a nest - used it that way for 5 years now and I love the nest for the larger Egg. It is easy to move it if I need to. That said, I recently bought a MiniMax and built a table for it. I love the extra work space that it affords, so to me it is the best of both worlds. As you can see, I sometimes use the extra table space for my Mini also.

Mayberry · June 2019

cookingdude555 said:

Mayberry said:

cookingdude555 said:

Mayberry said:

It's in the base. I measured today. I was measuring height at the felt line.

Good to know. Thanks for checking. I still like the switch much better than the KJ stand. You have me thinking about some big wheels to raise it more!

Mayberry said:

It's in the base. I measured today. I was measuring height at the felt line.

I thought about that, but it would need to be raised another 5" or so to be as high as the Lg Egg in a nest. I'm thinking of leaving it in the KJ stand and putting that on a table with casters. Then, putting a nice stainless steel table in between the Lg Egg and KJ Jr.

The next time I take a large or xl apart for a gasket, I may throw the KJ stand in there to see how it fits. Ive seen KJ jr owners throw the kJ jr stand in the cart that either the classic or big joe came in. I can’t remember which one it worked in.

I saw that last night somewhere. I think it's the XL. That would definitely raise it up and make it more usable. I'm thinking of leaving the Jr in the planter stand carrier it came in and just building a small cedar table out of scrap wood I have to elevate it to the right height.

Table vs Nest/Handler

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