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BGE vs. Kamado

Unknown
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
Browsing both the Kamado and the BGE forums, I see you are all very enthusiastic! Does anyone here own both, or have experience with both? As a non-user, they seem very similar to me, at least in design. But you owners can comment on durability, customer service, and warranty coverage. I guess the BGE will never pop off any tiles, but neither would the textured Kamado. For now I am stuck with a MECO Swinger grill and a Brinkman smoker; they work fine, but I sense I am missing out without a ceramic unit. At least listening to you guys!
Michael

Comments

  • Pharmeggist
    Pharmeggist Posts: 1,191
    There are several Ceramic Cookers out there as you might know Primo, Grill Dome, Kamado Kamado, Imperial Kamado etc. I am not going to say anything negative about these products.

    Here is my reasons for buying a Big Green Egg.
    My Dad has a Medium BGE
    My Brother has a Medium BGE
    My SIster has a large BGE
    I have a large, small, and Mini BGE
    My Mother in law has two Large BGE's

    Everyone in my family is thrilled with their Egg's... Mom and Dad are going to add a Large egg soon.

    My neighbor bought a Large egg after having samples off of mine.

    This forum is like one big extended family.

    I haven't had any problems with any of my eggs but I know the BGE egg company will be around to stand behind their product. My local BGE is outstanding. THe eggfests you can go to make it all worthwhile too.

    Check out this link www.nakedwhiz.com to learn more about the egg.

    Get whatever floats your boat!
    ~Pharmeggist
  • Bordello
    Bordello Posts: 5,926
    Pharmeggist,
    That was a very well put answer. My hat is off to you.

    Regards,
    Bordello
  • Pharmeggist
    Pharmeggist Posts: 1,191
    Hi Bordello,
    My Hat is off to this forum! It truly is like one big family! In all honesty, I never would have tried so many new things or been inspired to do so if it wasn't for the BGE forum. From ABT's to BOston Butt's to Pizza, to bread & CLay's pulled beef sandwiches etc. I remember one of my first few posts was why do people have more than one egg and why do they name them. :silly: I guess now that I am a part of the cult uh hum I mean family I understand :) My eggs all have names and of course I have more than one :P


    Many happy returns to you and to all the eggheads!
    ~Pharmeggist
  • Bordello
    Bordello Posts: 5,926
    You are absolutely correct. I can remember my first post on here, felt like a kid just walking into the class room. That was around 2001 or 2.

    I only have the forum to thank for what little I know. Family, yes. I have only met a couple of eggers in person but feel like I have a ton of friends out there in Eggland.

    I too wish all Eggers well. :)

    My Best,
    Bordello
  • Mainegg
    Mainegg Posts: 7,787
    this would be enough to scare me off the "K" I did a search to check out their forum and found this site, It would be enough to make me think twice and cross them off my list. their warranty sure is NOT BGE's
    http://www.kamadofraudforum.org/
    Then I went to their regular forum that is similar to ours here. There are a lot of posts of for sales, warranty help, customer service not answering the phone, repair helps for crumbling cookers and tile falling off. I am in no way trying to stir up trouble just stating what a huge difference there is between the two forums. and cookers apparently. Glad my 5 cookers are all green and fat and happy :)it is good to be green :side:
  • deepsouth
    deepsouth Posts: 1,796
    i'm sure i'm not the first to say, kermit was wrong.

    it IS easy being green.
  • Jeffersonian
    Jeffersonian Posts: 4,244
    If you look at the reviews of the Kamado on Amazon, they are very negative, mostly dealing with quality and unfulfilled warranty issues. I'd avoid them like the plague.
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    KA PLUNK! Service is the issue! I personally know two folks who have had nothing but nightmares dealing with the unresponsive Kamado people. Talk about buyer beware! So you've been warned!

    BGE rules!
    This board rules!
    Any other questions?
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Posts: 357
    BGE has been making theirs with limited modifications of the original. Kamado has been experimenting with different vents and making them look like yard art. Their screw top gets gunked up and freezes and the same with the bottom vent. There's no fire ring so there's limited accessories available.
    Mine is the old clay model and it's just like the BGE. After I repaired it I painted it green and just called it an egg. It's not a BGE but it looks the same and cooks the same.
  • Thanks for all the feedback. I really wanted to like the Kamado, but now have second thoughts. I have a local Barbeques Galore that sells BGE, so at least there is a local person to bounce service and warranty issues off of. It does seem these ceramic products all have a tendency to disintegrate, to some degree! You would think with all the established industrial furnace technology out there, someone could use a more durable material. It's looking like BGE for me. Will they do a custom color?
    Michael
  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    Custom color, yes as long as you choose green.

    BGE = Big Green Egg.

    You will enjoy your egg and the service is great.

    GG
  • Michael B
    Michael B Posts: 986
    Kamado, or Komodo Kamado?
    Yes, there is a difference.
  • 've been the owner of many an Imperial Kamado over the years, having one in the family since I was a wee lad, back in the early 60's.

    I bought one of mine when I got married in 1985, or so. I know, I should remember the year like I remember my Kalua Pork recipe, but I don't. I've inherited, or been given 3 others, and my sister in law got a small one at a garage sale for $7.50(it's the one that goes in the utility trailer for camping and hunting trips, or weekends to the beach.

    All of em have something broken on them. I bought a 10# pail of rectory cement to help with repairs but it doesn't always work the best. But all in all, I have two of the large ones that I can cook on, just can't cook under 225 with ease. I don't dare cook over 500-600 because of cracks etc. My bottom vents are iffy and the fire boxes are piece mealed together. Luckily I still do get quality but I've been cooking on them for awhile.

    My sister bought a BGE about 10 years ago and is still cooking problem free. So my vote goes with the BGE. I've cooked on it when I am visiting sunny San Diego, and it works great.

    I'm now looking to quit messing with mediocrity and want one that works for everything. I glanced at Traeger, but can't leave the ceramic. Anyway, after hours of web perusing I know my next purchase will be a BGE. Thanks to all of you for the forums...very helpful indeed.