re: Ceramic Grills: BGE, Komado Joe, etc...

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Not an issue once you learn how to control the temps.

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Why a heat gun or Looflighter over a torch?

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you don't have to worry about refilling it.

I own both the Primo XL and the Kamado Joe (Classic). I tend to use the Kamado Joe more because it is easier to clean out with the ash drawer that catches the ashes. Primo XL does not have an ash drawer and is a pain to clean out.

I bought the Primo XL for more surface area. If I was to do it all over again I would just pay the extra money for the Big Joe.

I have a large BGE, an XL, and a stumps clone that I built. (It holds 30 butts). All use lump and very little of it. I start with a combination of a torch and a battery operated blower. I have the lootfalighter and prefer this combination.

I think that the ovals have some advantages over the round ones, but I love the warranty on the BGE. I really love the capacity of the stumps clone. You will have to google that one.

The plan that I have adopted is that every time I go buy charcoal, I buy an accessory. Lighters, grates, pizza peels, grate grabbing handles, etc. BGE makes great accessories. If they are too expensive to buy all at once.

Oh yeah. Whichever one you get, get the Digi-q.

I have an Akorn which is a great grill. But when I upgrade it will be the Kamado Big Joe.

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I use Kamado Joe fire starter cubes.

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Whenever I get a new box, I like to score all the cubes in half with a utility knife doubling my purchase.

I've owned a Large BGE that I gave to my brother and now have a Primo Oval XL. Like everyone else has said, you really can't go wrong with any of them. Only reason I switch was for more surface area for grilling for parties. Also, it's nice being able to divide the fire box on the oval so you have a direct and indirect zone.

The gasket issue really isn't that big of a deal. My gasket has been burned up for several years now and it still doesn't leak and holds temps fine. One of these days I'll change to a nomes gasket but it really isn't any sort of priority.

Anyone own a Weber summit charcoal? I've recently begun to look at this thing very hard. Seems like the cooking ability of a kamado, with the durability of a kettle.

I have a crack in my firebox and have been gasketless for years on my Primo and haven't noticed a difference. I'm going to try the nomex gasket though

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Primo - more surface area

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For comparably priced grills, I don't think so. The oval surface is just a better, smarter, more usefully shaped area.

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Kamado Joe - More accessories

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It's just that with Kamado Joe, all the essentials are included in the initial purchase price. BGE sells some of its essentials, like the plate setter and the nest ala carte, after you've already paid plenty for the grill (at least that was their MO when I was researching all this). Also, I wouldn't focus so much on accessories, as I would on which one has the better design features. Kamado Joe's Divide & Conquer is the biggest difference maker. BTW, all the after-market accessories for the BGE Large and the Kamado Joe Classic are interchangeable, as are the BGE XL and the Big Joe.

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BGE - bigger firebox

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The fireboxes are the same for the comparably sized grills, but the size of the firebox is really kind of irrelevant. On any of these grills, you'll be able to do long smokes without reloading.