randawg

Thanks for everyone's input so far. I appreciate everyone's frankness and experience. I'm still in my "research mode" so we'll see what happens in the coming days. Since this would seemingly be the most expensive (and hopefully the best) BBQ purchase I have to make, I need to be absolutely sure about it. I'm still looking at other ceramics, but so far I've seen the least complaints about this one and an extraordinary amount of positive feedback, although there is a lot of positive feedback about the others too at a significantly lower price. As questions come up, I'll be picking your brains more Randy

Just quick question for those of you that got the Gen II Ultimates and Supreme Plus. What did you get in terms of the EZ-QUE Rotisserie system? On the price list page, it says the Gen II Ult comes w/ the "full kit w/ bearing" and the Supreme Plus comes with the "full kit". Does that mean it comes with the motor and everything you'd need? The reason I'm confused is b/c the "sleeves" are listed coming w/ the Supreme and Deluxe, but every reference to the EZ-QUE on the forum suggests everyone needs to buy the motor and cradles. Can anyone clear this up? Thanks! Randy

Now I have another question.... which one to pick? How did people decide which model to buy? What factors should I take into account in choosing between the different models? Regarding the inventory list, i read the info on the R1 and R2 vs the v3, but I still need help clarifying the differences. If comparing say a R2 Supreme Plus versus a V3 of the same model, is there a significant difference in price and features in your opinion? Also, my wife wanted to know if most people bought their KK without actually seeing one in person beforehand? And I quote, "You'd never buy a car by just looking at the pictures would you?" I guess she has a point. I've only seen the BGE in person, never cooked on one or any other ceramic cooker. Anyone have the same situation? Thanks!

Is the free shipping with just the Gen II ultimates or all of them?

Ok.. maybe I should have done this first, but I just read the Naked Whiz's review in detail and... wow!! Most of my questions (minus the marital advice ) would have been answered there. Very nice indeed!

Well, my wife seems to be going w/ it! She also likes the Dark Terra Blue with dark grout. So, we'll see what happens.... Randy

Thanks for the input... Just wanted to see if I could get -another- use out of the KK. I was looking at the separate burner, but hey, the KK would save another ~ $150-200 Randy

Trish- Already told the wife about it and showed it to her and she totally agrees that this is way better than the "green". She also said she would want to choose the colors so it went with our patio. Man.. just like you said.. Thanks The caveat is I have to sell 1-2 of my current cookers and I have to be ABSOLUTELY sure this is what I want... i'm almost there....

Hi Folks- Has anyone used a solid wok on their KK's before? I'm talking about the SS or cast iron 14-16" solid woks, not the ones with holes in them. I've seen somewhere on the internet that someone was able to do it on another ceramic cooker I think. Thanks! Randy

I have a Brinkmann Smoke King Deluxe or BSKD. It is an offset design that I got from my local Menards. There are numerous issues with it. First off, the metal is too thin so keeping the heat in the cooker is near impossible. I added firebricks all around and yeah, a gasket of some sort is needed for the cooking chamber. Secondly, I needed to make a makeshift metal thingy to direct the heat from the firebox to the middle of the cooking chamber or the heat would run up one side more than the other. Thirdly, the components overall are cheap! Everything is either rusting or falling apart in some way Oh well... the only thing that sort of appeals to the caveman in me is the fact I can place split logs in it. Not efficient, but kinda cool, until I have to baby it again 30 min later...

That's not bad.. Is that using 2 racks then? Cool.. actually, I don't have too many problems with my Weber (WSM), but my big smoker is a pain in the butt! I had to do some mods on it and it's still a headache to manage. The only reason I'm still hanging on to it is b/c it can fit a large amount of meat in it. Although if I get a KK I can unload it... I may have to employ that technique [/quote:176sqcjg]

Greg- I'm in a town called Mountain House, about an 1 to 1.5 hrs or so south of you. Glad to know another Illini here. Just talked to friends in Chicago the other day and had to rub it in a saying that I had to shovel 0" of snow while they were shoveling 8-10" Randy

BTW Porkchop, couldn't help but notice you're from the best darn school with orange and blue. Go Illini! Beat USC! Randy (Former Illini now in warmer and snowless CA)

Thanks Porkchop! Please, continue to prattle I am in my "research mode" and every bit of info helps! I've only seen the Lg BGE in stores and not the XL. Actually, maybe I'm not looking in the right places, but what are the cooking dimensions for the KK anyway? I know the the grid isn't exactly symmetrical, but how does it compare to the XL BGE's cooking dimensions? I want to have a decent amount of space to cook on. Also, can anyone detail what the typical process is when buying a KK w/ appox time between ordering and receiving? Also, I'm afraid to ask, but how much is shipping typically? If I take the plunge with this, I probably will unload my gasser and possibly one of my smokers to make room (and justify) this purchase. The problem is letting go of them despite their flaws I hope the KK is worth it! Randy

Thanks for the input so far! Jdbower- What are the differences between the different types of ceramic? Does it affect the cooking, durability, both or more? Also, can you adjust the level of the grates in the KK or is the height adjustment based on the different grates you can add? Trish- My goal is to have something that is versatile as a cooker first and foremost. We're finishing our backyard and I was thinking of finishing up the patio w/ a outdoor kitchen type of thing. I was originally thinking of a nice SS gasser w/ island, but the more I thought about it, the more I was interested in a ceramic cooker. I already have 2 other smokers and a gas grill, and I want this next cooker to be the centerpiece and possibly replace 1 or 2 of my other cookers. Let me see what my wife thinks of the design and colors. Thanks! Randy