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One of my brothers asked for a TV console table made of Cherry. This is the result. finished with hard wax oil satin. had a great time putting this one into reality.

Because you asked Tekebo, how could I refuse you. Well, the Kamado I purchased is called a Goldens, built or should I say forged in Columbus Ga at their foundry which has been a family owned business since say, 1875. Obviously they haven't been producing Kamado's since that time but inclusive to their line of products today are cast iron kettle bells, weights, dumbells and large cast fire pits and more. Incidentally these pits were historically somehow used in the sugar cane industry and by some fashion rethought of as a fire pit . My kamado is all cast iron except for the box steel welded frame cart and the wooden grasp on the handle. The outer core is 3/4 inch (19-20 mm) with cast iron deflector, grates, firebox and splitter. So I was intriqued, knowing the great heat retention cast pans have and transfering that into a kamado (which by the way is just about indestructable) gave rise to my interest leading to my purchase. You also have to realize as diehards and servants of the BBq, we all like to try out new things offering quality, purpose, and longevity and in so doing this kamado checked the boxes. My first light to seal the cast iron with oil was successful and easily shot above 500 thereafter. There's no overfiring this kamado and unlike the KK which keeps it's outer husk cool this gets very very hot at high temps. However I wasn't disuaded, this is an adult toy and most of my cooks are at lower temps. I found it relatively easy to adjust, maintain temp once dialed in like the KK but it does use more fuel..probably because of the heat loss through the cast as opposed to the KK's refractory. Cleaning the KK is much easier by simply pulling the basket, on the Golden's I fashioned a curved device and had to persuade the ash out, removing the fire basket with it's weight and tight fit is not an option you want to try. There are no tiles, it's polished cast with a good durable powder coat that hardens over a period of firings to protect against rust. It's mobile and weighs in at about 400lbs but it's actually not bad, it's easier to move than the KK given your working on a hard surface and it's center of gravity to it's height and wheel distance was well thought out. I like the grates and the deflctor which are easily removable with a tool that came with the unit. The KK will run longer on a basket of coal, but this unit comes to temp quicker. The basket spiltter makes it a truer two zone because it reaches high enough to accomplish this better than my 23 KK. It comes with a Tel tru thermometer grading to 900, larger than my 23 and easier to read. I noticed though on a cook that my beef ribs were cooking faster in appearence than what the temp alluded to. I was running at 250 on the gauge but the grate level stated 300 after I placed a probe on. Having the fire to close to the cast iron deflector made the grate temp hotter than what was reading at the dome. No problem, now I know. So the lid weighs about 126lbs, the spring assist makes this relatively easy to open however the KK' spring assist is superior. Since this is forged in two separate molds, there is no mistake in alignment... ever, it will open and close the same way tommorrow as ten years from now because of it's engineering and your seal remains true until the gasket has to be replaced from wear. It uses lump, charcoal briquettes or even wood if you ever chose to do so, you can even use lighter fluid, yes, say it isn't so. You can buy extra grates as an option and stack them for additioal height into the dome. The grates (two half moons) are reversible for searing steak. Yes, this kamado has some things you wouldn't be aware of, it does things differently but that's all solved pretty quickly knowing generally how kamado's work. It not as big as my 23, it's alike and unlike, the learning curve wasn't hard and food coming off is good. It'll last, and like the KK will be enjoyed by an hier just like our KK's. The KK with all it's features wins the race I have to say but this unit was 1/2 the price and it does the job well and up and running quicker. This kamado won't win any beauty contests or have that allure from across a crowded street as the KK, but I like it. Now I'm hoping to place that beautiful table cover down Tekebo, you know the Italian beauty, the next project is a 9-10 foot table under the Pavillion, soon you will see, I haven't forgotten................................. excuse the pics, shot at night and the pollen is horrendous.

I know when I was starting to research the KK I was desparate for YouTube content and there wasn't much out there. I appreciate the videos that you posted and am sorry to see your KK go.

@jruddy i'm sort of conflicted by the fact that you don't get enough views on kk. i have watched your videos, but mainly the kk ones. and if i didn't have a kk, i would still watch the kk videos. because it's like watching someone with a pagani sports car. nobody has them and that's why it perks my interest. as for kj and bge content, not to say they are lesser instruments, but there's already too many of videos on yt on those..