Need to lighten my load which means good bye to my BGE in RV. HELP!!

mlc2013 · June 20

Ok so I have a XL, L, M, MM. They are all comfy at my house. My wife and I have been wintering in an RV for the last 4 winters and I have taken the MM with us for the first 3 winters. I have to be honest, it's not a great grill for most cooks, yes a great camping buddy for the weekend or a great tailgater, which is what it was designed for but try cooking 3 racks of of ribs or 2 chickens forget a full brisket, its just not designed for that hence the larger sizes. This year I have decided to take the L with us (I know it's a PIA I have to take it fully apart and and pack up ever so carefully on moving days). I love being able to cook almost anything I want and need, I love my eggs. Here is the problem, we are thinking of staying on the road for a few years to check out North America and that means moving much more frequently then 3-4 month stays that we do in the winter. I just don't want to take apart and put toghter the egg every couple weeks and lifting that bad boy in and out of the RV will get really old fast. So far I have done 1x 3 month trip and 2x 1 month trips almost done with the 3rd 1 month trip and dreading packing up just to unpack in a days time just to pack up again a month later rinse and repeat. So here is the question, is there anything out there that can come close to smoking and searing as good as the egg that is not a ceramic grill. Im looking for something much lighter. Has anyone used the Weber Summit Kamado E6 and if so thoughts. My main cooks on the BGE are chicken (beer can, spatchcock, wings), Ribs (either Mickey turbo or 3-2-1), I LOVE TO SOUS VIDE STEAKS AND SEAR THEM AT 650-750, pork butts, and of course Brisket. There are many other things but these are the staples. I also travel with a ENO sign 65 gas griddle (if you are still using a blackstone do yourself a favor a look into eno), plus a pizza party amore pizza oven. Please any help or insight will be greatly appreciated

lousubcap · June 21

I hope you get an answer as your road trip adventure sounds fantastic.
You should find a Weber forum as I suspect there will be a lot of info there. I know you can do great cooks on a Weber Kettle and the Smokey Mountain rig. Make it happen.

dbCooper · June 21

Blaze makes a aluminum kamado, although that my not be any lighter than the BGE. Whatever you end up with post some cooks and adventure pics.

kl8ton · June 21

If I was in your shoes, I would consider this one. I have experience with the small Akorn. There are some "hacks" to improve performance.

I think this weighs about 80 lbs.

DoubleEgger · June 21

That’s a good call @kl8ton. I forgot about the Akorn.

lkapigian · June 21

Where the heck have you been my friend

MaskedMarvel · June 21

kl8ton said:

If I was in your shoes, I would consider this one. I have experience with the small Akorn. There are some "hacks" to improve performance.

I think this weighs about 80 lbs.

I grew up taking month long cross continent trips in RVs. Really special. The Akorn has several benefits, it the least of which is RV travel can be hard in the equipment. alien is durable and, frankly, not a heart breaker if it gets damaged or even left behind. Plus - they’re readily available for replacement parts etc.

Foghorn · June 21

Akorn is a good call. You also can't go wrong with a Weber Smokey Mountain - and you can take away the middle section and essentially have a Weber kettle - for searing, etc.

MaskedMarvel · June 21

My tyops and legendary proofreading skills really came through on that post, eh?

Gulfcoastguy · June 21

The Akorn seems to be the closest equivalent to an Egg that is both cheaper and lighter. Worth a shot anyway.

Botch · 12:43AM

MaskedMarvel said:

My tyops and legendary proofreading skills really came through on that post, eh?

You just secured your legend!

mlc2013 · 5:21AM

testing 123 it seems non of my relies are posting

mlc2013 · 5:21AM

OK great now they are so ill trylousubcap said:

I hope you get an answer as your road trip adventure sounds fantastic.
You should find a Weber forum as I suspect there will be a lot of info there. I know you can do great cooks on a Weber Kettle and the Smokey Mountain rig. Make it happen.

Thanks I looked at the weber forum and it seems set it and forget it is not a thing so that brings the weber a couple rungs down

mlc2013 · 5:23AM

dbCooper said:

Blaze makes a aluminum kamado, although that my not be any lighter than the BGE. Whatever you end up with post some cooks and adventure pics.

Thanks Ill look into Blaze and see what I come up with

mlc2013 · 5:24AM

kl8ton said:

If I was in your shoes, I would consider this one. I have experience with the small Akorn. There are some "hacks" to improve performance.

I think this weighs about 80 lbs.

Ill try and look into some acorn post incognito and get some more info thanks for you input

mlc2013 · 5:31AM

lkapigian said:

Where the heck have you been my friend

sorry im not really a social media or forum guy, when I originally logged in I was sitting on the couch for 6 months while recovering from a major surgery and was bored out of my mind. Once I got the OK to go back to work I did and I did with vengeance, I wanted to retire at 45 and my heart fart set me back a few years but was finally able to retire at 47 and have been traveling the world since I retired. Now my wife and I use to come home for the holidays and then take 3-4 month long winter trips in the RV for the last 4 years and this year we decided to stay on the road until we are bored. She thinks 5-10 years Im thinking 3-5 years, let's see. Now that im not workng like a maniac and not traveling abroad I can finally get back to social media. The only bad thing about this early retirement thing is I have not made sausage or had a good sausage in 6 years. I just can't do it on the road so I guess another few years before I start tomato it again. (that is if I can only remember) How is everything going with you?

mlc2013 · 5:32AM

MaskedMarvel said:

kl8ton said:

If I was in your shoes, I would consider this one. I have experience with the small Akorn. There are some "hacks" to improve performance.

I think this weighs about 80 lbs.

I grew up taking month long cross continent trips in RVs. Really special. The Akorn has several benefits, it the least of which is RV travel can be hard in the equipment. alien is durable and, frankly, not a heart breaker if it gets damaged or even left behind. Plus - they’re readily available for replacement parts etc.

I have never heard of an alien but will research it.

mlc2013 · 5:32AM

Foghorn said:

Akorn is a good call. You also can't go wrong with a Weber Smokey Mountain - and you can take away the middle section and essentially have a Weber kettle - for searing, etc.

I use to use the smokey mountain but retired it when I got the egg. I might have to take out of retirement

mlc2013 · 5:33AM

Gulfcoastguy said:

The Akorn seems to be the closest equivalent to an Egg that is both cheaper and lighter. Worth a shot anyway.

Thanks for the input

Foghorn · 1:10PM

mlc2013 said:

kl8ton said:

If I was in your shoes, I would consider this one. I have experience with the small Akorn. There are some "hacks" to improve performance.

I think this weighs about 80 lbs.

Ill try and look into some acorn post incognito and get some more info thanks for you input

Definitely do that.

With that said, I've had an Akorn for 12 years and a WSM (or equivalent) for longer. I've cooked on them many times - for example, check out the pics here.

https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1212190/8-briskets-and-30-racks-bosss-house-for-worldwide-colleagues-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/p1

Akorn:
- Somewhat clunky to move and not as light as WSM - although nothing like the weight of ceramic.
- Cooks just like a BGE - you can set it and forget it, and you can sear.
- Not as well built as BGE. For example, I don't recommend cooking at 500+ with the lid closed as it can melt part of the top air controller. If you get a cover or keep it out of the elements, you should get 6-8 good years out of it. I have replaced multiple parts but at this point it has too many air leaks to use for temps below 300.

WSM:
- Light and very easy to transport.
- Requires more constant attention.
- Great at raised direct cooking if you don't use the heat blocking pan - works great for chicken for example.
- Might last a little longer than an Akorn
- Not as good as an Akorn for cooking in cold temps. You can do it, but it takes longer because it is hard to get it above 230 when it is 40 (F) and windy outside.

I hope that is helpful.

6baluts · 2:00PM

- All good recommendations above and I will add one more to the mix.
- Have you thought about a PK grill? You can grill or smoke with one. Can use briqs or lump.
- They offer a couple of options PK 300, AF and the Pk360.
- PK does offer multiple style carts. You typically have the one that comes with your purchase (more on that in a bit), they offer the folding model that used to come with the PKTX, and a table top cradle.
- Concerning the cart that came with my PKO it was easy to breakdown and assemble if I desired to do so. I decided I had space in one of the curbside bays of the motorhome we had and just put the fully assembled cart in the bay minus the bottom tray. The cart weighs next to nothing.
- The cooking vessel is easily removed from the cart and fit in another bay where I used to actually carry a MBGE.
- The PK’s are a bit pricy but are bullet proof. No rusting it’s cast aluminum and should last your lifetime.
- In your post I have cooked everything you mentioned except beer can chicken. I have seen it done on a PK grill just not with me as the cook.
- For some reason my oldest PK grill produces the best beef short ribs of any grill that I own.
- Like yourself it always a good idea to have multiple options to cook on in case of open fire bans. I carried a Holland Companion and a Woodflame Delecto as my alternates.
- Good luck with your search and enjoy the retirement.

mlc2013 · 4:27PM

Foghorn said:

mlc2013 said:

kl8ton said:

If I was in your shoes, I would consider this one. I have experience with the small Akorn. There are some "hacks" to improve performance.

I think this weighs about 80 lbs.

Ill try and look into some acorn post incognito and get some more info thanks for you input

Definitely do that.

With that said, I've had an Akorn for 12 years and a WSM (or equivalent) for longer. I've cooked on them many times - for example, check out the pics here.

https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1212190/8-briskets-and-30-racks-bosss-house-for-worldwide-colleagues-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/p1

Akorn:
- Somewhat clunky to move and not as light as WSM - although nothing like the weight of ceramic.
- Cooks just like a BGE - you can set it and forget it, and you can sear.
- Not as well built as BGE. For example, I don't recommend cooking at 500+ with the lid closed as it can melt part of the top air controller. If you get a cover or keep it out of the elements, you should get 6-8 good years out of it. I have replaced multiple parts but at this point it has too many air leaks to use for temps below 300.

WSM:
- Light and very easy to transport.
- Requires more constant attention.
- Great at raised direct cooking if you don't use the heat blocking pan - works great for chicken for example.
- Might last a little longer than an Akorn
- Not as good as an Akorn for cooking in cold temps. You can do it, but it takes longer because it is hard to get it above 230 when it is 40 (F) and windy outside.

I hope that is helpful.

thanks for the input, I think the Akorn and the PK may be the 2 i spend some time researching. Good news is that we will always be in warmish weather not looking to go below 50 degrees at night where ever we travel.

mlc2013 · 4:34PM

6baluts said:

- All good recommendations above and I will add one more to the mix.
- Have you thought about a PK grill? You can grill or smoke with one. Can use briqs or lump.
- They offer a couple of options PK 300, AF and the Pk360.
- PK does offer multiple style carts. You typically have the one that comes with your purchase (more on that in a bit), they offer the folding model that used to come with the PKTX, and a table top cradle.
- Concerning the cart that came with my PKO it was easy to breakdown and assemble if I desired to do so. I decided I had space in one of the curbside bays of the motorhome we had and just put the fully assembled cart in the bay minus the bottom tray. The cart weighs next to nothing.
- The cooking vessel is easily removed from the cart and fit in another bay where I used to actually carry a MBGE.
- The PK’s are a bit pricy but are bullet proof. No rusting it’s cast aluminum and should last your lifetime.
- In your post I have cooked everything you mentioned except beer can chicken. I have seen it done on a PK grill just not with me as the cook.
- For some reason my oldest PK grill produces the best beef short ribs of any grill that I own.
- Like yourself it always a good idea to have multiple options to cook on in case of open fire bans. I carried a Holland Companion and a Woodflame Delecto as my alternates.
- Good luck with your search and enjoy the retirement.

Yes PK was brought to my attention and it is in the final list. Im not overly concerned with price if it checks all the boxes. weight is an issue not just for me but im just at 39,600 lbs fully connected with a max of 40,000 and have to distribute the weight a little more to get the pin weight where it needs to be so that is another reason why the egg has to go it only fits in the front bay of the 5th wheel which adds the most weight to the pin. One of my favorite cooks on the BGE is beef plate ribs (brisket on a stick). I have never been able to duplicate that cook on any other grill so hopefully since your short ribs come out great fingers crossed, again im getting ahead of myself as I did not decide yet. Thanks for your info.

kl8ton · 4:41PM

mlc2013 said:

6baluts said:

- All good recommendations above and I will add one more to the mix.
- Have you thought about a PK grill? You can grill or smoke with one. Can use briqs or lump.
- They offer a couple of options PK 300, AF and the Pk360.
- PK does offer multiple style carts. You typically have the one that comes with your purchase (more on that in a bit), they offer the folding model that used to come with the PKTX, and a table top cradle.
- Concerning the cart that came with my PKO it was easy to breakdown and assemble if I desired to do so. I decided I had space in one of the curbside bays of the motorhome we had and just put the fully assembled cart in the bay minus the bottom tray. The cart weighs next to nothing.
- The cooking vessel is easily removed from the cart and fit in another bay where I used to actually carry a MBGE.
- The PK’s are a bit pricy but are bullet proof. No rusting it’s cast aluminum and should last your lifetime.
- In your post I have cooked everything you mentioned except beer can chicken. I have seen it done on a PK grill just not with me as the cook.
- For some reason my oldest PK grill produces the best beef short ribs of any grill that I own.
- Like yourself it always a good idea to have multiple options to cook on in case of open fire bans. I carried a Holland Companion and a Woodflame Delecto as my alternates.
- Good luck with your search and enjoy the retirement.

Yes PK was brought to my attention and it is in the final list. Im not overly concerned with price if it checks all the boxes. weight is an issue not just for me but im just at 39,600 lbs fully connected with a max of 40,000 and have to distribute the weight a little more to get the pin weight where it needs to be so that is another reason why the egg has to go it only fits in the front bay of the 5th wheel which adds the most weight to the pin. One of my favorite cooks on the BGE is beef plate ribs (brisket on a stick). I have never been able to duplicate that cook on any other grill so hopefully since your short ribs come out great fingers crossed, again im getting ahead of myself as I did not decide yet. Thanks for your info.

Maybe you posted it before, but can we see a pic of the rig? Also required will be pics of you cooking on Akorn/PK whenever that comes to fruition!

mlc2013 · 5:12PM

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/gy/hte00uiicpq8.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/xu/6c48ksgon005.jpeg

mlc2013 · 5:14PM

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/bf/gs6at4ldln70.jpeg

kl8ton · 5:26PM

THAT is a rig. Thanks for sharing!

mlc2013 · 5:34PM

dbCooper said:

Blaze makes a aluminum kamado, although that my not be any lighter than the BGE. Whatever you end up with post some cooks and adventure pics.

I actually love the blaze from what I have read but sadly there is not enough weight savings for me. Although I wish it was lighter as I think i fell in love with it.

fishlessman · 5:43PM

Having done a lot of wilderness camping by boat, my pick would be a wsm style propane smoker/grill/fryer. I used to set it up at sunrise and come back in the dark and take off a turkey or butt for a late dinner. I think mine was from cabelas . I would travel in the boat and set up a huge safari tent with wood stove cots card table and fish all day for a week. Propane smokers are convenient

mlc2013 · 5:47PM

fishlessman said:

Having done a lot of wilderness camping by boat, my pick would be a wsm style propane smoker/grill/fryer. I used to set it up at sunrise and come back in the dark and take off a turkey or butt for a late dinner. I think mine was from cabelas . I would travel in the boat and set up a huge safari tent with wood stove cots card table and fish all day for a week. Propane smokers are convenient

I do the same on my boat but i just seem to like lump better and love the sear hence why im shying away from propane. I love the convince of propane and miss just lighting and grilling 5 minutes later but I have the Eno for that as that enabled cast iron heats up in minutes. I can get a great sear on my sous vide steaks on that bad boy as well.

Need to lighten my load which means good bye to my BGE in RV. HELP!!

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