New Cooker Choices

Unknown · September 2008

Hello-

I've been lurking on this board for a month or so. I've decided to purchase a new
outdoor cooker. My only local store is a Barbecues Galore - so between that and all of the great folks on this forum I had pretty much decided to get an Egg. A couple of things make me hesitate though - one seems to be a lot of you guys have issues with the gasket. In the past few days I've been offered a great deal on a Primo oval complete with cart and accessories. Since I'd never really considered this brand due to the big bucks I now find myself conflicted as to which to purchase. Either Egg or Primo aren't cheap so I need some advice from from you guys. Please don't flame me - I do know this is the BGE forum - but no one I know has any knowledge of either of these products. Do any of you have a Primo? If so, do you like it and why? I'm sure I would probably, hopefully be happy with either, but can only purchase once so want to do it right.

Any advice or info you can give me is appreciated. BTW, this board is the best!
Thanks
kc

Broc · September 2008

I have two Eggs. I have never even seen a Primo, but I've chatted [online] with people who have both. My impressions from these discussions --

Both work basically the same, being ceramic, control of air flow, yada-yada....

I have found that there is a strong warranty support from BGE, and a much stronger dealer network.

Also -- check out the primo forum... [I have], and you'll discover tremendous forum support for the Egg.

Now -- The gasket. I don't think gasket material is proprietary... meaning, anyone can use whatever material they want. BGE is changing over to a newer type of gasket [don't know if your dealer has the newer stuff] and there are also other materials available.

There's lots of discussion re: gasket on this forum -- there's so much less activity on the Primo site, you may not notice as much chat about gasket.

I have the "old style" felt gaskets in my Eggs. I paid no attention to the [mythological-?] "break-in" period. That said, the gaskets on my Eggs didn't come off -- They have just burned to a crisp.

But -- I still cook several times a week, have no problem controlling temps... Maybe the day will come when I'll need to replace the gasket, but until then, I'll just keep on a-cookin'!

Remember -- I've never seen a Primo. But it seems that any ceramic cooker will have gaskets, and any gasket which is subject to 600 - 900F will wilt over time.

There are people on the forum who have [and sell] both BGE and Primo. Maybe you'll be able to scare some of them out of hiding to give you more help than I can offer.

All that said -- my third cooker will be another Egg.

Good luck!

~ Broc

:laugh:

Celtic Wolf · September 2008

Beware.. BBQ Galore has filed for Bankruptcy Protection.

It is against the rules of this forum to compare one brand to another. All we can do (should do) is tout the wisdom of buying an Egg.

Since you have been browsing the forum you know our opinions of the Egg.

I will say that I looked into buying a Primo, Grill Dome, Kamodo and the Egg. I looked into buying a Klose Pit, Lang and the FEC. I own 6 Eggs nuff' said

RRP · September 2008

both a cheap used car and a brand new one will normally get you to the corner. Iffin dealer support and a huge family means squat to you then the few extra bucks spent toward a BGE is chump change given the expected lifetime use. Just use common sense - there has to be a reason why BGE outsells their competitors and why so many of us are multiple egg owners.
PS all of the ceramic products have gasket issues and please don't let some slick sales person tell you otherwise. OTOH gaskets should be viewed as maintenace matters, but unlike necessary oil in your car you can even run your cooker without one if you so wish!

Grandpas Grub · September 2008

Katie,

I have been the source and or participant of many gasket posts. If someone posts that they have a problem with an adhesive or gasket I will many post and offer some information that I have learned or post and ask some details of what for information leading up to the problem.

I have had more than my fair share of adhesive/gasket failures. Hence, I have been testing and trying to find out why I have had these problems. There are things that one can do and replacement gaskets one can install which apparently will eliminate most of the problems. To this point I am limiting my gasket solutions to stay within BGE products.

There are thousands of eggs sold. In reality a few, probably very few end coming to this forum. Of those relative few egg owners that are on this forum a very small number of these folks post or ask about gasket problems. Briefly there are three general reasons the adhesive or gasket may have problems.

In my personal opinion it is improper egg setup or moving/lifting and egg by the hinge and causing the setup to change, excessive heat passing over the gasket and yes there are a few adhesive/gaskets that just fail. It is my experience with my eggs and conversations with other eggers that the dealers and BGE is more than happy to help their customers. BGE is not going to deal with warranty issues over this forum. The place for that is first through the dealers and or with BGE directly.

With that said and even though I have had a number of adhesive or gasket failures, I would recommend the Egg. BGE’s warranty is very good and as important the folks on this forum. The help from other members on this forum to me is as valuable as my eggs themselves. Well, being honest, if I could have my eggs or the forum – sorry folks, I love ya, but I am keeping my eggs. Sort of like you will have to pry the handle out of my dead hands, before I give up my… or was that for an ice cream bar.

Anyway get your egg, enjoy the great cooking and he help the forum has to offer.

GG

Michael B · September 2008

There are a few set-up differences between the BGE and the Primo Oval, especially for indirect cooking.
Both are good cookers.
I chose the BGE... more than once... over the last 20+ years.

Bacchus · September 2008

In the end there probably wouldn't be much of a difference in your cooks.
BUT, ironically you came to the BGE Forum for help (and we are glad you did). Wouldnt you feel better about coming here again in a few weeks when you need help with your cooker if that cooker is a BGE and not a Primo?

[Deleted User] · September 2008

Hi Katie,
I don't have a Primo and I agree that buying a ceramic cooker is a big investment. One thing I didn't really consider at the time but has proven to be a significant advantage is the support network.

The BGE mothership is excellent to work with if you ever have a problem and the wealth of knowledge on this board is fantastic.

Competitors of the Egg will exaggerate potential problems. Problems like gasket failure can happen under the right circumstances to any cooker with a gasket.

Life is too short and I find that usually I am better off in the long run spending an extra buck up front than saving that buck and discovering the difference in quality later.

Ultimately, if you can afford an Egg then I don't think you can afford to buy something else.

Unknown · September 2008

Katie, the gasket issue is over-blown somewhat. On my first egg the gasket is rock hard most of the way around the rim, In one small area the lower gasket "glued" to the top gasket, and was ripped out of the bottom, Since it is attached to the top part it still seals quite well. Many eggers don't have any gaskets on their eggs: I still want some cushion (even if it is rock hard) for heavy-handed sisters-in-law who don't realize the dome is heavy.
A large number of eggers wind up with multiple eggs (I now have four) and wouldn't do this if they were not happy with the purchase of the first one. Since I acquired the BGE, people actually want me to cook for them...that NEVER happened prior. Every question I've had for this forum has been answered very well and very quickly.
P.S. If you buy a product from a bankrupt business, it is nice to know you have purchased a product with a FACTORY warranty second to none.

momcooks · September 2008

I bought an extra gasket when I got the egg. So far I've not needed it, and I won't replace it unless I really think I need to. Judging from what I see in here, many cook without them. Maybe I'll replace the top one for a cushion effect sometime in the future. I have a feeling that's all they're really for anyway.

Bacchus · September 2008

I agree, no danger in buying it from B-Galore even in bankrupcy. Warranty is from the factory. You might even be able to talk them down some.

70chevelle · September 2008

The dealer I bought my egg from carrys Primo, BGE & Dragonfire, and I was almost sold on a Grill Dome. I went with the BGE because I had a dealer to talk to, lurked on this board, and.....I found that the other's marketing techniques all involved telling my why I shouldn't buy an egg, instead of why I should buy their product. If you have the better product, you sing it's praises, you don't bash your competition. That should happen naturally with your sales volume. Just my opinion!

Bobby-Q · September 2008

I think knowing the facts of the warranty will certainly sway your decision.

The Big Green Egg has a lifetime warranty on the ceramic parts. That is your lifetime, not a set number of years or even months on some of the newer ceramics out there.

If you put all that aside, Big Green Egg started the modern heavy duty ceramic industry and everyone else has tried to copy it ever since.

momcooks · September 2008

Another plus for the egg is. I've bugged my husband for several years for an egg. The cost always got in my way of getting one. Now several months of owning it, he mentioned if we do a winter home in Az, we'd have to get another egg to keep down there. He does not do the cooking either.

Bobby-Q · September 2008

Sometimes I hate this new format because it is much smarter than me.

Sorry about the post to you Broc, it was meant for Katie.

momcooks · September 2008

LOL, I like the flat format, but I swtich it back and forth to see who's talking to who.

Unknown · September 2008

Katie,

Also check grill dome's I have been leaning towards one or the other also.

stike · September 2008

keep in mind that GD's finish is paint, not ceramic glaze. things are usually cheaper for a reason.

Unknown · September 2008

It's actually backed on enamel so no worries with the paint.

stike · September 2008

enamel IS paint. check their forums... guys are asking about replacement paint, due to paint loss on the dome due to exposure to high heat.

not saying anything is better or worse, just relating that it is not an apples-to-apples comparison. color choice is a plus, but the finish is not permanent.

Unknown · September 2008

I know enamel is paint ,just stating that its baked on , not like someone threw on some spray paint and was done with it.I will have to check out the forum for that issue.I guess they all have there little issues with it's paint peeling or crazing.

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