Big Green egg vs Kamado Joe vs Aldi/Lidl

[NordicCrankShaft]

Having used a big green egg professionally over the years they are an incredible piece of kit when used the right way. My question is, do they warrant the huge price tag vs other brands like the Kamado Joe and the cheaper again Aldi/Lidl versions.

The reason I ask is I've been in the market for one and will buy one when I have time over the next few weeks but I've been into lidl this morning to pick up some fruit and they have these there for £119.99? Just wondering other people's thoughts and experiences as I've only ever used a big green egg.

[Alias218]

My FiL has one (Aldi), as does a friend and they work very well. I tried to get one myself but they get snapped up almost as soon as they go on sale.

Having said that, I have seen plenty of reviews since that say the firebox cracks very easily and getting hold of a new one from Aldi is tricky.

They work well, but you do get what you pay for to some extent is my takeaway.

[Pflanzgarten]

I’ve had my Aldi one for three summers, no cracks as yet. It is left out all winter although religiously covered when not in use.

I suspect some of the cracks may be from folk not looking after them. If they’ve gotten damp I can’t see how they won’t crack.

There’s a big community for U.K. owners on Facebook.

[2ono]

I've got a KJ classic, standard size, that I've had for about 6 years now, always outside never covered, just needs a clean to make it look like new. Also got a great deal on a Big Joe end of last summer, which again is just as good only bigger. For the smaller classic I have the IKomand so use it for all low and slow cooking, with the big Joe I have the pizza oven thing and the Joetisserie, both are excellent for what they do.

Lots of people complain about connectivity issues with the IKomand but I personally have no issues with it, it makes overnight cooks so easy.

Never tried a BGE, and there always seems to be lots of issues with cheaper ones from Aldi/Lidl, especially with them arriving broken by the couriers.

[biggiles]

£119.99 is probably a very small one?

I have the bigger Aldi one. It works fine (ultimately these are just big & well-crafted clay flower pots!), but it would be good if it had a larger cooking area.

If the size works for you, then the Aldi/Lidl ones are a good saving.

There are other companies now doing Aldi-style (cheap) kamados in larger sizes.

[oddman]

I've got a standard size KJ. Standard size is quite good for smoking and KJ are quite nifty with design that involves potential to split between direct and indirect cooking and cook on different levels. They also seem to continually develop the core product and accessories which is nice if you like that sort of thing.

For the overall size of the beast, it is quite a small area for grilling (about same size as a big Weber) so if you were doing a big barbecue with smoked and grilled food, you'd have to be quite coordinated (ie get the ribs etc done first and then convert for grilling) or have a separate set up for grilled stuff.

Anything less than the standard size would be compromised as your main barbecue. Good idea to buy it with a stand unless you're integrating it into an outdoor kitchen

I don't think there is any advantage in paying more for the BGE.

[tomsugden]

I have a large and a mini BGE installed in an outdoor kitchen that gets used all year round. Although you can achieve similar results in the Aldi/Non branded ones in terms of low and slow, grilling and smoking, I don't think you'll find accessories such as a rotisserie, pizza stone, cast iron grid, flat top etc that will fit them. I use the rotisserie almost every Sunday for cooking lunch, so that's an important part of it for me.

[CardinalBlue]

tomsugden said:

I have a large and a mini BGE installed in an outdoor kitchen that gets used all year round. Although you can achieve similar results in the Aldi/Non branded ones in terms of low and slow, grilling and smoking, I don't think you'll find accessories such as a rotisserie, pizza stone, cast iron grid, flat top etc that will fit them. I use the rotisserie almost every Sunday for cooking lunch, so that's an important part of it for me.

This... availability of accessories is key. If you don't want the Kamado Joe price tag a few other places to consider where you can get accessories are:
https://www.grden.co.uk/
https://www.kamado.co.uk/
https://kamadokings.co.uk/

I personally user a MasterBuilt - which is the brand that own Kamado Joe. It's exactly the same as a KJ, but painted black instead of red and was about half the price - but sadly they no longer sell it in the UK

[Pflanzgarten]

Thing is, if it’s accessories and versatility, all of them are trumped by a Weber for a fraction of the price.

There’s nothing you can’t do in a Weber with some skill that you can on any type of egg including low and slow.

I also think an egg loses out on cooking space massively compared to a Weber if parties are your thing.

[number2]

I've got a Kamado Joe 3.

The grill area isn't huge - sorry that's not too precise - but does the job. I'm thinking more from the perspective of having a pan on there, long kebab skewers and using one side indirect and the other direct, than being able to fit 200 burgers on. I don't need a pan on there but even recently I was cooking some onions on there - and cooking anything over coal is more fun than not .

Grilling is its secondary purpose. If it's just grilling people are after then there are alternatives.

Most BGE and KJ accessories are interchangeable for the same size grill.

KJ has a top vent closed to the elements, a hydraulic hinge, lid clasp, charcoal basket and ash pan. All really useful features. Apart from that they're all the same(ish).

Can't comment on the Aldi or other cheap versions, but as long as the ceramic is as thick and the seals are good around the air control and lid then they'll do as good a job.

If I was buying again I'd get the Big Joe 3 - it was a lot more expensive at the time mind you. I'd probably be better off with a normal charcoal grill in addition, but even when using it for grilling I value the ceramic, so yes, Big Joe 3 for me .