Calling all kamado owners!
Discussion
Please can I have your views and experiences of the various brands that are available? I've been thinking of getting one for ages. Do you have a Big Green Egg or kamado Joe? If so, why did you pick one of these? They seem to me to be the most popular, but also most expensive? Is the material a better quality (e.g. stainless steel bands and air ducts) or QC better than say a much cheaper one from a less well known brand? My friend has a monolith kamado and loves it. Is there any reason why the cheaper versions such as YNNI would be inferior to a BGE? Presumably the ceramic material is similar and possibly they are all made in China?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
I’ve got the large Kamodo Joe, chose this over the BGE as my mate is reseller and gave a great deal on a big package of stuff. But I love it, find ‘normal’ kettle bbqs rubbish to use now. I’ve had it about 3 years now, lives outside all year round, never covered just a quick wipe and it looks brand new.
Only change/upgrade I’ve made it to change to the new design top vent as it is easier to use in the rain.
Only change/upgrade I’ve made it to change to the new design top vent as it is easier to use in the rain.
I have 2 big green eggs, a large and the now obsolete mini. Love them both, and really handy to have two for different temps, i.e. cooking burgers on the large and searing steaks on the mini.
I have a friend that has a large BGE and a Kamodo Joe, and he's selling the BGE and replacing it with another Kamodo Joe. He reckons the KJ has a better range of accessories and is more innovative, and that BGE have dropped the ball in recent years. I'm invested with BGE now so won't change.
I have a friend that has a large BGE and a Kamodo Joe, and he's selling the BGE and replacing it with another Kamodo Joe. He reckons the KJ has a better range of accessories and is more innovative, and that BGE have dropped the ball in recent years. I'm invested with BGE now so won't change.
I've a KJ Classic 3.
It comes with more accessories as standard (cart etc.) but do your own price comparison.
For me the pros were: came with cart, grill, slo-roller, deflectors, removable ash tray, grill lifters and alu side shelves, the number and quality of accessories, split grill capability, charcoal basket, top vent not open to rain, spring loaded 'weightless' lid.
If you must have green go BGE, if not then the KJ is ahead. They'll both cook the same but the KJ will give you an easier life even if you just consider the removable ash tray, coal basket and lid.
It comes with more accessories as standard (cart etc.) but do your own price comparison.
For me the pros were: came with cart, grill, slo-roller, deflectors, removable ash tray, grill lifters and alu side shelves, the number and quality of accessories, split grill capability, charcoal basket, top vent not open to rain, spring loaded 'weightless' lid.
If you must have green go BGE, if not then the KJ is ahead. They'll both cook the same but the KJ will give you an easier life even if you just consider the removable ash tray, coal basket and lid.
I have a Monolith Le Chef, which I bought about 18 months ago. I also have a Weber with all the toys that I had for about 5 years before that. It really only gets used now if I‘m cooking a lot or want e.g. sausages or burgers at lunch while I‘ve got an all day smoke going on.
I spent a long time deciding between the different brands of egg. In the end I went for the Monolith because it seemed like they‘d put the most thought into how it gets used, with things like the door to allow you to add wood chips or pellets while you are doing a cook without disturbing it and a built in adaptor to use a fan and digital controller. I bought one in a kit with lots of accessories like the pizza stone, cast iron grill, stainless steel vent, stand with side tables etc. I then added the BBQGuru Cybercloud to do digital control and temperature monitoring.
Overall, I‘ve been very happy with it and have just bought the upgraded Pro grill/deflector/drip tray set up, which I‘m also very happy with, as I can now easily have two zone cooking on different heights, with half moon grills, have stainless steel half moon drip trays and it comes in a simple to remove setup in case you need to add more coal or big chunks of wood.
I cook everything on it from pulled pork and ribs to steaks, tuna, plank smoking salmon (and that‘s just this month!).
Regardless of what you buy, to get the most of it I highly recommend buying the „Meathead“ book. Fantastic recipes, but more importantly techniques. My bbq was pretty good before getting that book (mainly from other books like Grillmaster and Grillstock), but it‘s improved further since getting this one.
I spent a long time deciding between the different brands of egg. In the end I went for the Monolith because it seemed like they‘d put the most thought into how it gets used, with things like the door to allow you to add wood chips or pellets while you are doing a cook without disturbing it and a built in adaptor to use a fan and digital controller. I bought one in a kit with lots of accessories like the pizza stone, cast iron grill, stainless steel vent, stand with side tables etc. I then added the BBQGuru Cybercloud to do digital control and temperature monitoring.
Overall, I‘ve been very happy with it and have just bought the upgraded Pro grill/deflector/drip tray set up, which I‘m also very happy with, as I can now easily have two zone cooking on different heights, with half moon grills, have stainless steel half moon drip trays and it comes in a simple to remove setup in case you need to add more coal or big chunks of wood.
I cook everything on it from pulled pork and ribs to steaks, tuna, plank smoking salmon (and that‘s just this month!).
Regardless of what you buy, to get the most of it I highly recommend buying the „Meathead“ book. Fantastic recipes, but more importantly techniques. My bbq was pretty good before getting that book (mainly from other books like Grillmaster and Grillstock), but it‘s improved further since getting this one.
See my Big Green Egg Birthday thread for my large which I've had for three weeks now. It was bought for me by my wife so cost wasn't really a consideration, she just knew it was something I'd wanted for a long time and it's perfect for the roof terrace of the Penthouse as I can wheel it around to where I need it.
I ordered the conveggtor, the eggspander kit, cast iron grids and some charcoal straight away and they have all proved useful. I've got an old Le Creuset frying pan that seems to be fine as a drip pan but I'll probably order a few more bits and pieces soon.
I've cooked three times on it now, steaks, a lamb leg and a chicken, they've all turned out well but I'm still getting used to the temperature control. Got some more steaks for later this week and a joint of beef in the freezer which I'm planning on injecting with a marinade and slow cooking soon.
I ordered the conveggtor, the eggspander kit, cast iron grids and some charcoal straight away and they have all proved useful. I've got an old Le Creuset frying pan that seems to be fine as a drip pan but I'll probably order a few more bits and pieces soon.
I've cooked three times on it now, steaks, a lamb leg and a chicken, they've all turned out well but I'm still getting used to the temperature control. Got some more steaks for later this week and a joint of beef in the freezer which I'm planning on injecting with a marinade and slow cooking soon.
number2 said:
devnull said:
I have Aldi one that everyone went crazy for last year. It's a pretty awesome thing to be fair. Such a nice way to do BBQing compared to pissing about with a kettle BBQ
I'd say for £350 it's a good buy. I might get one this year as a second grill.https://www.aldi.co.uk/garden-shop/kamado-bbq?fbcl...
Had my large BGE 5 years this summer and very happy with it still use it most sunny days, keep it under a cover when not in use and the only thing that's needed changing was a plate setter that I dropped.
Best new gadget has been the Eggniter my mum got me for Christmas, you can get it up to temp and ready to cook in 15-20mins with what is a gas flame thrower and hair drier combined in to one.
Best new gadget has been the Eggniter my mum got me for Christmas, you can get it up to temp and ready to cook in 15-20mins with what is a gas flame thrower and hair drier combined in to one.
Thank you everyone for giving your opinions. TeeRev - it was your recent thread that inspired me to look at Kamado's again!
I was going to order a Kamado Joe, but saw that the Aldi egg has come around again (missed it last time!), so I've ordered one of those and will see what I think of that when it arrives.
I was going to order a Kamado Joe, but saw that the Aldi egg has come around again (missed it last time!), so I've ordered one of those and will see what I think of that when it arrives.
This weekend I (finally) took delivery of a Costco 'Louisiana Grills Kamado' which is another alternative for those not looking to pay quite as much as the KJ or BGE this one comes in around £600 depending on collection (not advised!) or delivery.
I had deliberated over the previous summers about one and missed out on the Aldi one last. Fast forward to this year and my trust Weber needed a new grill and for obvious reasons of spending more time at home it was easy to justify going from a replacement part to a whole new BBQ!
Firstly - It is a jolly large bit of kit, they call it a K24 (it is in fact 24" across the ceramic, grill space more like 21).. You will need 3 to lift it while in the box.
Secondly - it Seems they have made incremental improvements over the past few years and it now does feel like a really quality item (greatly improved lid lifting hinge/silicone mesh seal/magnetic closure)
More importantly it produced some of the best steaks (hi temp) I have had for a long time on Saturday night and a superb 4hr bone in pork belly (lo temp) on Sunday!
For those on the fence about a Kamado I can say you wont be disappointed.
I had deliberated over the previous summers about one and missed out on the Aldi one last. Fast forward to this year and my trust Weber needed a new grill and for obvious reasons of spending more time at home it was easy to justify going from a replacement part to a whole new BBQ!
Firstly - It is a jolly large bit of kit, they call it a K24 (it is in fact 24" across the ceramic, grill space more like 21).. You will need 3 to lift it while in the box.
Secondly - it Seems they have made incremental improvements over the past few years and it now does feel like a really quality item (greatly improved lid lifting hinge/silicone mesh seal/magnetic closure)
More importantly it produced some of the best steaks (hi temp) I have had for a long time on Saturday night and a superb 4hr bone in pork belly (lo temp) on Sunday!
For those on the fence about a Kamado I can say you wont be disappointed.
Wattyboy said:
Hi - I know it has been a few days since last post. Still happy with the Costco kamado?
Also what accessories does it come with - does it have the deflector for indirect heating for slow cooking? Is is a 2 rack system?
Seems cracking price vs BGE or KJ.
Very happy so far, and not regretted getting the Costco job one bit! I am sure they are all much of a muchness in terms of end result, at the end of the day it is heating food up! Also what accessories does it come with - does it have the deflector for indirect heating for slow cooking? Is is a 2 rack system?
Seems cracking price vs BGE or KJ.
it comes with the deflector, two grills, a cover and an ash removal tool. Pizza Friday, steak Saturday, ribs Sunday! It also looks great out on the patio.The size and perspective in the store doesn't quite prepare you for how enormous it is in a small garden setting!
Anybody seen these before, website is interesting also:
https://www.snafflingpig.co.uk/products/pig-bluey-...
https://www.snafflingpig.co.uk/products/pig-bluey-...
I have never heard a bad word about these - and if I could afford it I would go for this - it is like a garden ornament as much as an excellent BBQ
https://komodokamado.com/collections/23-ultimate
https://komodokamado.com/collections/23-ultimate
filski666 said:
I have never heard a bad word about these - and if I could afford it I would go for this - it is like a garden ornament as much as an excellent BBQ
https://komodokamado.com/collections/23-ultimate
And in the bronze corner, weighing in at 1,700lbs, a heavy-weight at 800kg in new money, is... 'Serious Big Bad'!! https://komodokamado.com/collections/23-ultimate
https://komodokamado.com/collections/42-serious-bi...
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