re: Alternatives to the Big Green Egg

Costco has pit boss on sale for 499


I am assembling mine now

I have the akorn and it's about 4-5 years old. It stays covered on my back porch and I've noticed the bottom shelf needs some attention. Other than that I can't complain one bit about it. I've cooked Boston butts on it at about 235 and pizzas at 650 or so.

I looked closely at primo kamado Joe and egg

Only the primo had real advantages with shape


Went with pit boss at Costco - nothing I saw In the others justified price

Primo > BGE

BGE made in China

Primo made in GA

The BGE is made in Mexico! The Primo is the only US made kamado. Kamado Joe's are made oversees.

I have cooked on all 3 of these brands and also, the Grill Dome. For the most part they all cook very similar. The Primo OvalXL is my favorite of the large grills because it's shape. The Kamado Joe Classic is my favorite of the round Kamado's. Kamado Joe has the best accessories and comes with the most stuff in the box. The heat deflector is including in the Joe which is the single most important accesory. After that it comes down to what color do you want. Of these 3 brands you can't go wrong.

Only thing to mention with the any brand is to make sure to get one with the correct vents. The simple BGE style is what you need. I anything too complicated is going to leak air.

I have the vision grill and I really like it. I've also cooked on my dads BGE a bunch. The differences I've noticed is its much easier to raise/lower the temp. on the BGE. Its easier to get the BGE hotter much quicker for searing a steak etc. The BGE is also sealed much better. When I shut the BGE down its done and no more charcoal gets burned. On the vision I can see where a little more charcoal burned after shutting it down.
As far as holding temps there really isn't much difference. Both do a great job.
Having said all that, I do love my vision and at the time its all I could afford. If I were to do it again I would save a little longer and get the BGE, Primo etc.

I've been happy with my Primo. Had it for 6 years. Just replaced my gasket. Firebox has a crack. I need to send off for a free replacement, but the crack isn't causing any issues. The oval shape is nice for ribs and indirect cooking.

quote:

---

I agree that value does not mean cheap but I doubt very seriously a BGE will last longer than some of the the other ceramics. By the time you get a table to sit one in you really have a lot of money tied up in them.

---

I'm not looking to argue I was just throwing out my opinion. Grills are very personal. I'm not talking about the BGE lasting longer, I'm saying that if a grill lasts you 10 years at $1,000 that's $100/ year compared to a $500 grill at $50/ year. So I'd gladly pay an extra $50/ year to have the grill I wanted and the peace of mind.

If your metal grill lasts 17 years, then the BGE's could last 100. I have no clue how long it will last, it could be something I hand down to my grandkids there is pottery out there 2,000 years old or it could last 7 years.

If you aren't doing overnight cooks, then IMO you aren't doing serious smoking. Nothing wrong with that and many won't, I'm just saying that one great advantage of something like the BGE is throwing on tomorrow's lunch or dinner and having it ready the next day without having to even check it. That is worth something, if anything my time to be able to go play golf or go fishing with my meat cooking and no worries.

Believe me I'm not a super BGE fan boy or one who recommends over spending. But the BGE works, and its proven. That's worth something too.

My dad has the oval one, Primo maybe? This is no BS from our experience it doesn't heat uniformly. The back left is either a hot zone or cold zone, I can't remember. Which frankly is good and bad, its good if you are doing say dogs and burgers, you can throw the dogs on the colder part. But he can't slam it full of meat and it all be done at the same time either.